Photographer Jorge de Araujo captures Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House staff, residents, and volunteers during the Collingwood Food Security Program. @artificial_jorge @banh_inc

Yarra Council is investing in a creative-led re-imagination of our community through the STIMULATE Creative Grant program. These grants come on top of a number of other grant schemes we have introduced to support the creative sector during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

STIMULATE Creative Grants are for artists, community groups, sole traders and creative organisations or businesses to create new work, present new ideas and/or to present on a new platform. Partnerships and collaborations by grant recipients are encouraged.

Our recovery as a community will require creativity and innovation. We believe creative practitioners are well placed to respond to this period of uncertainty and change, because they are dynamic, forward thinking, resilient and innovative.

In a constantly changing environment, we need creatives more than ever to document and make sense of our changed world, to connect us when we are isolated and to continue to bring inspiration and joy to our lives.

The funding can be used to:

• pay artists
• provide employment opportunities to those working in the creative sector
• support creative organisations to reopen after COVID-19 restrictions lift
• enable creative practitioners to find new ways to present their work
• provide opportunities for audiences to connect with locally created artworks and creative experiences.

The grants range from up to $5,000 for individuals to up to $50,000 for partnerships. There is a total pool of $200,000 available.

Download the STIMULATE Creative Grant Guidelines

Applications can be submitted on SmartyGrants 

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 4 October 2020.