CreateSA Biennial Project

Funding available: $50,000 per year for two years.
Maximum total funding per successful applicant: $100,000.
Funded activities may commence: December 18 2026.
Applications close: September 28 2026 at 5.00 pm

The Biennial Project grant supports individual professional artists, independent groups and unfunded arts and cultural organisations to create new work across all art forms. Funding is provided through a staged commitment over two years, recognising that some arts projects benefit from an extended development process. Projects may include creative development, project development, research, art making and creative development showings. A final public presentation is not required.

Eligible outcomes may include developing and preparing manuscripts for publication, self-directed artist residencies with an organisation or within a community, and discrete curated programs of activity. The funding is intended to help artists seed and develop innovative ideas. In some cases, this early development may create opportunities to pursue funding for larger collaborative or commissioned outcomes. Applicants must provide separate project activity and budget information for each year of the proposed project.

Key Requirements

Creation of new work: The project must support the creation and development of new work across an eligible art form.
Extended development: The proposed activity should benefit from a staged development process delivered over two years.
Innovation: Funding is intended to enable artists to seed and develop innovative new ideas.
Development outcomes: Projects may lead to opportunities for larger collaborative or commissioned outcomes, although this is not a stated requirement.
Flexible presentation outcomes: A project may conclude with a public presentation, but a final public presentation is not required.
Two-year project planning: Applicants must provide details for each year of the project, including activity dates, stages, funded periods, delivery methods and locations.
Applicant information: A short biography of up to 300 words or a curriculum vitae must be provided for each relevant artist or participant.
Supporting evidence: Applications must include relevant letters of support and confirmations of activity, with up to five letters accepted.
Project budget: Applicants must provide a detailed budget showing each year of activity, 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?

Creative development.
Project development.
Research supporting the development of new work.
Making and production of new work.
Creative development showings.
Development and preparation of manuscripts for publication.
Self-directed artist residencies with an organisation or in a community.
Discrete curated programs of activity.
Administration.
Commissioning fees.
Creative fees for performers, composers, choreographers, designers and curators.
Producer fees.
Technical personnel and production costs.
Travel 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

What companies are eligible for funding?

Independent professional artists.
Independent artist groups.
Arts and cultural organisations that do not receive annual or multi-year South Australian Government funding.

Companies and businesses are not separately identified as an eligible applicant category. An arts or cultural organisation may apply if it does not receive annual or multi-year South Australian Government funding and satisfies the other applicable program requirements.

Applicants must propose a two-year project supporting the creation and development of new artistic work. Separate activity and budget details must be provided for each year.

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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