CreateSA Collaboration Grant

Maximum funding: Up to $100,000 per application.
Contribution requirement: Organisations funded through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework, major organisations and Statutory Authorities that apply or participate as partners are expected to contribute cash or in-kind support to the project budget.
Partner contribution requirement: For-profit partners and organisations outside the arts and culture sector are expected to contribute cash or in-kind support to the project budget.
Eligible activity commencement date: December 18 2026.
Applications close: September 28 2026 at 5.00 pm

The Collaboration Grant supports strategic and innovative partnerships across South Australia’s arts and culture sector. Funding may support creative development, art making and presentation across different art forms. Proposed collaborations should encourage risk-taking, knowledge and resource sharing, new employment opportunities and more sustainable ways of working. Projects should generate professional benefits and employment outcomes for independent artists, arts workers and production personnel. The primary financial beneficiaries must be independent artists and small-to-medium arts and cultural organisations.

Partnerships may involve independent artists and groups, funded arts and cultural organisations, major organisations and Statutory Authorities. Applicants may also collaborate with for-profit arts and cultural organisations or organisations operating outside the arts and culture sector. Projects should test new approaches, create new outcomes for audiences and contribute to the sustainability of South Australia’s arts and culture sector.

Key Requirements

Strategic collaboration: Projects must involve meaningful collaboration between eligible applicants and project partners across or beyond the arts and culture sector.
Innovation and experimentation: Activities should promote courageous experimentation, risk-taking and new ways of working.
Knowledge and resource sharing: Collaborations should create opportunities for participating organisations, artists and partners to share knowledge, capabilities and resources.
Sector sustainability: Proposed activities should contribute to the ongoing sustainability of the arts and culture sector.
Employment outcomes: Projects should create professional benefits and employment opportunities for independent artists and production personnel.
Primary financial beneficiaries: Independent artists and small-to-medium arts and cultural organisations must be the primary financial beneficiaries of the project.
Audience outcomes: Projects should propose new outcomes and experiences for audiences.
Partner contributions: Major organisations, Statutory Authorities and organisations funded through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework are expected to provide cash or in-kind contributions when applying or participating as project partners.
Commercial and non-arts contributions: For-profit arts and cultural organisations and organisations outside the arts and culture sector are expected to provide cash or in-kind contributions when participating as partners.
Project planning: Applications must identify the dates and stages of the proposed activity, highlight the funded activity period, and explain how and where the project will be delivered.
Supporting evidence: Applicants must provide letters of support and confirmations of activity.
Budget evidence: Applicants must submit a detailed budget, budget notes and quotes supporting major expenses.
Applicable protocols: Project proposals must explain how relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Working with Children in Art and COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

What is eligible for funding?

Administration costs.
Commissioning fees.
Creative fees for performers, composers, choreographers, designers and other creative practitioners.
Producer fees.
Technical personnel and production costs.
Travel costs and living allowances.
Marketing costs.
Materials.
Studio, venue and equipment hire.
Freight.
Curatorial costs.
Catalogue essay writer fees.
Catalogue design and printing costs.
Photography and documentation.
Exhibition costs.
Creative development.
Art making and production.
Presentation activities across art forms.
Collaborative activities that support experimentation, resource sharing, audience outcomes and employment opportunities.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Independent groups.
Arts and cultural organisations not receiving annual or multi-year South Australian Government funding.
Funded small-to-medium arts and cultural organisations.
Funded major arts and cultural organisations.
Organisations funded through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework.
Statutory Authorities.

Eligible applicants may partner with independent artists, artist groups, funded arts and cultural organisations, Statutory Authorities, for-profit arts and cultural organisations, and organisations outside the arts and culture sector.

Individual artists are not listed as eligible lead applicants. Companies or businesses are not separately identified as eligible lead applicants. A for-profit business may participate as a project partner and is expected to contribute cash or in-kind support to the project budget.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

Industry analysis presentation
Competitor Analysis Presentation
Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant is open

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