What is the Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative?
The Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative is a program that will support the continued work of Victoria’s independent creative practitioners who have been negatively impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Background
Sustaining Creative Workers supports the continued work of Victoria’s independent creative practitioners who have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2021. It is open to applicants in all parts of the state, working in all creative disciplines and at all stages of their creative career. This is the second iteration of the program, following an initial round of support in 2020.
Sustaining Creative Workers offers quick-response funding for independent creative practitioners, sole traders, freelancers, collectives and micro-organisations/businesses whose work and livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic. This includes practitioners and organisations who work in support roles for creative activities, such as producers and technicians.
Sustaining Creative Workers is funded by the Victorian Government and administered by an industry advisory group comprising Creative Victoria, Arts Access Victoria, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Music Victoria, NETS Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria, Theatre Network Australia and Writers Victoria.
Objectives
Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative aims to:
- Deliver quick-response funding to Victorian professional independent creatives negatively impacted by coronavirus
- Provide stabilisation and improve sustainability of independent creative practice, so that adaptation to the newly emerged environmental context is possible
- Achieve a state-wide reach
Funding
The following funding amounts are available through Sustaining Creative Workers:
- Up to $5,000 for individuals, sole traders and freelancers; and,
- Up to $10,000 for collectives, groups and micro-organisations/businesses (micro organisations/businesses are those that employ less than 5 Full Time Equivalent staff).
- Up to $2,500 in additional access funding is available for applications from Deaf and Disabled creatives, artists, arts workers, and disability-led organisations/businesses.
Eligible Projects
The Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative will support activities including (but are not limited to):
- Planning and adaptation to the newly emerged environmental context
- Research and development
- Products and/or skills development
- Exploration of new ways to engage audiences for existing or new work
- Development/exploration of markets for your creative work
Eligible Applicants
Sustaining Creative Workers accepts applications from Victorian-based independent creative practitioners, sole traders, freelancers, collectives, groups and micro-organisations/businesses that have been negatively impacted by coronavirus. Please note, the 2020 requirement to have at least five years’ experience to apply to Sustaining Creative Workers has been removed in 2021.
Applications are encouraged from a wide range of creative disciplines including, but not limited to, visual arts/craft, literature, contemporary dance/physical performance, community creative practice, circus, cabaret, music, sound art, theatre, fashion, design, screen and digital games, multidisciplinary and experimental work.
Applications will be accepted from:
- Creative practitioners/sole traders/freelancers with a track record of public outcomes for their creative practice;
- Arts/creative micro organisations/businesses* or collectives/groups with a track record of public outcomes for their creative practice;
- All applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or have an auspice organisation manage their grant;
- Individuals must be an Australian citizen currently residing in Victoria or a Permanent Resident (holding an appropriate visa); and,
- Individuals who are under 18 at the time of applying must have an auspice organisation manage their grant.
Timing
Applications close 22 November 2021.
