Submit Applications for Leadership Skills Workshops (Australia)

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

The Creative Australia leadership skills workshops support mid-career and established leaders working in Australian arts and culture organisations to strengthen practical leadership capabilities. The two-day, in-person workshops focus on board and funder relationships, crisis management, strategic decision-making, and building shared leadership cultures, with additional access support available for d/Deaf and/or disabled leaders.

About the Creative Australia Leadership Workshops

Creative Australia is offering professional development opportunities for leaders working in Australia’s arts and culture sector. The program is designed for leaders who already manage teams and have significant responsibility within their organisations. Rather than focusing only on theoretical leadership concepts, the workshops use practical tools and evidence-based leadership models that participants can apply directly in their workplaces. The training is delivered through a two-day, in-person workshop. What the Workshop Covers

Participants explore practical challenges commonly faced by arts and culture leaders

Creative Australia will also cover agreed access services such as: Auslan interpreting. Captioning. Applicants who require access support should identify their needs as part of the relevant application or participation process. Why the Leadership Program Matters Arts and culture organisations operate in an environment that requires leaders to balance artistic goals, financial sustainability, governance, community expectations, funding requirements, and organisational wellbeing. The workshop helps leaders develop practical skills for managing these responsibilities.

Participants can strengthen their ability to

Make informed strategic decisions. Communicate effectively with boards. Work constructively with funders. Respond to organisational crises. Lead teams through change. Share leadership responsibilities across an organisation. Apply practical leadership frameworks to real workplace situations. How the Workshop Works

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should first verify that they meet all employment and organisational requirements. This includes confirming their FTE status, team-management responsibilities, organisational turnover, and Creative Australia funding level.

Step 2: Identify Leadership Challenges

Participants should consider the leadership issues they currently face

These may relate to:

Governance. Funding. Organisational strategy. Crisis response. Team management. Leadership culture. Identifying these challenges helps participants get greater value from the workshop’s practical exercises and breakout discussions.

Step 3: Arrange Access Requirements

d/Deaf and/or disabled participants should identify any additional access requirements they need to participate fully. Creative Australia can provide agreed services such as Auslan interpreting and captioning, while up to $1,000 is available for eligible additional access costs.

Step 4: Commit to Full Attendance

The program requires participants to attend the complete two-day workshop in person. Applicants should therefore ensure they can commit to both days before applying.

Step 5: Apply Through the Relevant Creative Australia Process

Eligible leaders should submit the required information through the designated Creative Australia application or participation process. Only one person from each organisation should be nominated. Key Requirements at a Glance

Provider: Creative Australia

Target group: Mid-career and established arts and culture leaders

Format: Two-day, in-person workshop

Minimum employment: 0.5 FTE

Management requirement: Manage at least two staff

Organisation turnover: Under $40 million annually

Creative Australia funding: Less than $5 million annually

Participation limit: One person per organisation

Attendance: Full two-day participation required

Additional access support: Up to $1,000 AUD

Covered access services: Agreed services such as Auslan interpreting and captioning

Tips for Applicants Applicants should consider the following before participating:

Confirm organisational eligibility: Check both annual turnover and Creative Australia funding levels.

Check your leadership role: You must manage at least two staff members.

Plan for the full workshop: Make sure your schedule allows attendance across both days.

Prepare real examples: Think about current leadership challenges you could explore during breakout sessions.

Identify access requirements early: This allows appropriate support to be arranged.

Focus on practical application: Consider which leadership tools could be implemented in your organisation after the workshop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying when their organisation exceeds the turnover threshold. Working less than the required 0.5 FTE. Managing fewer than two staff members. Nominating more than one participant from the same organisation. Assuming the workshop can be attended partially or remotely. Failing to communicate access requirements. Treating the workshop as purely theoretical rather than preparing to apply the learning to real organisational challenges. FAQ Who is the Creative Australia leadership workshop for? The workshop is designed for mid-career and established leaders working in Australian arts and culture organisations who meet the program’s employment and management requirements. How long is the workshop? The leadership workshop takes place over two days and is delivered in person. What leadership skills are covered? Topics include working with boards and funders, crisis management, strategic decision-making, and developing shared leadership cultures. How many people from one organisation can participate? Only one person per organisation may attend the workshop. What are the organisational eligibility requirements? The organisation must be an Australian arts and culture organisation with annual turnover below $40 million and a