Cultural Development Fund - Festivals and Events

Applications to the 2025/26 program are now open

Balaclava Boogie, Carlisle Street, 2023

Overview

The arts are an essential part of the cultural diversity, creativity and prosperity of our communities.

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) grants program has been developed by Council to support artists, arts and cultural organisations and creative community projects in the City of Port Phillip.

Projects should contribute to the Council Plan strategic directions to guide our program priorities for the future. Projects will be evaluated according to how well they meet these priorities:

  • Vibrant: with a flourishing economy, where our community and local business thrive, and we maintain and enhance our reputation as one of Melbourne’s cultural and creative hubs.
  • Inclusive: a place for all members of our community, where people feel supported and comfortable being themselves and expressing their identities.

CDF - Festivals and Events program objectives:

  • Leverage and support events that drive economic growth by increasing visitation and tourism to the City, enhancing its reputation as a destination.
  • Support organisations to develop and manage vibrant festivals and events in the City of Port Phillip that showcase our places and spaces, meeting community and industry needs.
  • Support capacity building, mentoring, partnerships or collaborative development.
  • Support and engage diverse communities of all ages and backgrounds, by developing events that engage with the wider Port Phillip community, introducing new experiences and connections.

Grant value

CDF - Festivals and Events is a two-tiered funding stream for incorporated, not for profit arts, cultural or community organisations to deliver festivals and events.

  • Tier One - $5,000- $10,0000
  • Tier Two – $10,001 to $25,000.

The CDF-Festivals and Events grant has been developed by the City of Port Phillip to support arts, cultural, trader and community organisations to develop festivals and events in the City of Port Phillip that engage our community, foster social connectivity and/or drive visitation and support local economic benefit.

This fund is intended for seed and development funding and applicants are encouraged to seek out other sources of sponsorship and in-kind contributions to complement the support of council.

Applications can include events that occur in public space, venues and may have some online event component (but not fully online).

Applicants to the CDF-Festivals and Events grants may apply for up to $25,000 per event with funding allocated according to tier categories.

Key dates

Applications to the 2025/26 program will open Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Applicants will be notified in September 2025. Funded projects will occur between November 2025 and November 2026.

View the full 2025/26 Grants timelines

Grant Writing Workshops and Information Session

All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Grant Writing Workshop and information session before applying for a Council Grant. 

To attend a Grant Writing for Creatives and Information Workshop, visit Community sector resources.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:

  • Incorporated not for profit arts, cultural or community organisations. Organisations from outside City of Port Phillip may apply if the festival or event is held in the City of Port Phillip and engages significantly with Port Phillip participants and community
  • Have organisational Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 Million
  • Able to provide an ABN
  • Funded events must be based in the City of Port Phillip.
  • Organisations with existing funding service agreements with the City of Port Phillip must apply in partnership with at least one other entity such as a trader, cultural organisation, community group, artist, or group of artists.

How to apply

The City of Port Phillip uses the SmartyGrants application system. To apply, log in and preview the Application form.

Go to SmartyGrants

For more information about the SmartyGrants form, see the Help Guide for Applicants

Making your event accessible

We are committed to equitable participation in events, programs and activities in our community. The Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Fact Sheet for Arts Grants Applicants contains resources you can explore when applying for a grant to help include the people with disability when organising, planning and budgeting for your event or program of activities:

Access and support information

For general Council information about the National Relay Service, language translation and Auslan interpreter services, visit accessibility and disability inclusion.

For Access support, contact ASSIST.

Planning for your event

If you are organising an event in an open space, discuss your event with Council’s Events Team before applying for your event.

Applicants planning events in outdoor public space will be required to apply for a City of Port Phillip Event permit.

For information and contacts refer to the City of Port Phillip Outdoor Events page.

Contact Us 

Applicants are encouraged to speak to the Fund officer before submitting their application.

For all enquiries, please contact us via ASSIST on 03 9209 6777 or send a service request online.