Apply Now: Creative Placemaking Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Bellingen Shire Council Creative Placemaking Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 per project to support creative projects that transform, revitalise and enliven local public spaces across the Bellingen Shire. The fund is open to individuals, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises and other eligible community groups seeking to use art and culture to create vibrant and engaging places. The programme supports a wide range of artistic and cultural activities, including murals, mosaics, street art, sculptures, performances, pop-up shops and other creative installations. Projects must demonstrate community benefit, respond to a clear community need and support the program’s objectives.

About the Creative Placemaking Fund

The Creative Placemaking Fund is an initiative of Bellingen Shire Council designed to stimulate and revitalise local streets, neighbourhoods and public spaces. The fund uses creative industries and community participation to help transform everyday spaces into more vibrant, animated and engaging places. By supporting locally driven creative projects, the programme aims to: - Revitalise public spaces. - Encourage artistic and cultural activity. - Increase community participation. - Support creative industries. - Create more vibrant neighbourhoods. - Strengthen community connections. - Encourage diverse communities to participate in placemaking. What Types of Projects Are Eligible? The fund supports a broad range of artistic and cultural activities, provided they contribute to the transformation or activation of public spaces. Examples of eligible creative projects include: - Murals. - Mosaics. - Street art. - Pavement inlays. - Sculptures. - Street performances. - Music performances. - Dance performances. - Storytelling. - Pop-up shops. - Banner art. - Caricatures. - Artistic veranda columns. The examples above are not necessarily exhaustive, provided the proposed project aligns with the fund’s objectives and eligibility requirements. Where Can Projects Take Place?

Projects can take place:

- In public spaces, or - On private property where the public has access. The project should contribute to making the relevant location more vibrant, engaging or visually appealing. Applicants should clearly explain the location and how the public or local community will benefit from the proposed activity. How Much Funding Is Available?

The Creative Placemaking Fund provides:

Up to $5,000 per project There are two funding rounds during each financial year. All funded activities must be completed before 30 June 2027. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project can realistically be planned, delivered and completed within the required timeframe. Who Can Apply? The fund is open to several types of applicants.

Eligible applicants include:

- Individuals. - Incorporated not-for-profit organisations with a registered ABN. - Unincorporated groups or associations. - Registered charities recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). - Social enterprises with appropriate supporting documentation. Applicants should ensure that they meet the relevant organisational requirements before submitting an application. Community Benefit Requirement Projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to the community.

Applicants should explain:

- Who will benefit from the project. - How the project will improve or activate the space. - How community members will participate. - Why the project is relevant to the local area. - What positive outcomes are expected. Projects that demonstrate meaningful public participation and community value are likely to be stronger applications. Community Need and Support Applications should provide evidence of community need and support. This means applicants should demonstrate that the proposed creative project responds to an identified local need or opportunity and has support from relevant community members or stakeholders. Evidence may help show that the project has been developed with the local community in mind and is likely to create meaningful benefits. Inclusion and Accessibility The programme places importance on projects that encourage: - Inclusion. - Accessibility. - Broad community participation. Applicants should consider how people from different backgrounds and with different abilities can participate in or benefit from the project. Projects that make creative placemaking more accessible and inclusive can align strongly with the programme’s objectives. Geographic Diversity Across the Shire Preference is also given to projects that contribute to geographic diversity across Bellingen Shire. This helps encourage creative activity across different parts of the Shire rather than concentrating support in a single location. Applicants should clearly identify where their project will take place and explain its local community benefit. Commercial Activities and Funding Restrictions The Creative Placemaking Fund is intended to support community-focused creative projects rather than commercial ventures. Projects must not be for commercial gain or deliver solely commercial outcomes. The fund therefore focuses on projects that provide meaningful public or community benefits rather than activities primarily designed to generate private commercial returns. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants are not eligible: - Commercial enterprises. - For-profit organisations. - Organisations located outside the Bellingen Shire Local Government Area. Projects that are designed primarily for commercial gain or deliver solely commercial outcomes are also not eligible. Assessment Process Applications are assessed on merit. The assessment considers whether the proposed project: - Meets the programme objectives. - Provides community benefit. - Demonstrates community need. - Has evidence of community support. - Encourages inclusion. - Supports accessibility. - Contributes to geographic diversity across the Shire. - Can be del