The Annual Grant Round

The 2023 grant round is now closed.

The 2024 Grant round will open in june 2024.

Applicants are advised to read the below guidelines and the FAQs before applying. You can also preview the Application form here. Further advice can be sought by contacting us.

Applicants interested in applying for an Out of Round Grant are asked to contact us to obtain a link to our online application form.

BAF 2023 Grants Program - Application Guidelines  

The Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF) Grants Program is an initiative of the Ballarat Arts Foundation Board to encourage and develop the aspirations and talents of emerging visual and performing artists who have lived, worked or studied in Ballarat. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Applicants must live in (or have lived in) and/or have studied and practiced their art (either currently or previously) within Ballarat and District, which is defined as the area covered by Ballarat City Council.

  • Applicants under the age of 18 must have their application co-signed by a parent/legal guardian who will take responsibility for managing funds received.

  • A detailed breakdown of the budget necessary to complete the project must be shown. Two alternative quotes must be provided for ALL equipment, purchases, expenses and flights. 

  • Grants will not be awarded:

    • for ongoing tuition fees

    • to fund wages requested by applicants: expenses proposed by the artist to pay others who are instrumental to the application will be considered

    • for any project or purchase that has already occurred

  • Applicants must have satisfied the reporting and acquittal requirements of any Ballarat Arts Foundation funding received in the past. 

  • Previous grant recipients may apply for a second grant. Likewise, those who have been previously un-successful may apply for a new grant.

  • The Grants Committee appraises applications against a set of criteria and an interview process. Incomplete application forms will not be considered.

The BAF Grants Program is a competitive process. In some instances, successful applicants may not receive the full amount of funding sought. The BAF Board makes the final decision regarding all grant allocations. No correspondence regarding decisions will be entered into.

Application Process

Applications will only be accepted if submitted on the official Application Form. Once an application is received by the Ballarat Arts Foundation, the process is as follows:

  • Applications open Thursday 1st June 2023 and close on Sunday 9th July 2023.

  • Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application within 7 days.

  • Applicants will be informed by Monday 24th July 2023 if they have been selected for an interview.

  • Interviews are scheduled for Saturday 12th August 2023. If applicants are selected for an interview, they will be contacted by the Executive Assistant for BAF with an interview time. (Note: An alternative date cannot be guaranteed). Applicants will be required to bring supporting materials, examples of completed work, cd recordings, and/or portfolios to the interview. Interviews may be in-person or online via Zoom.

  • Applicants will be informed by Friday 8th September 2023 whether their grant application has been successful.

  • If awarded a grant, applicants will be invited to attend the official Awards Ceremony on Thursday 5th October 2023.

  • The list of successful applicants will be published on the Ballarat Arts Foundation website by the end of October 2023.

    Please note that grants are offered on the condition that upon completion of the project for which a Ballarat Arts Foundation grant was awarded, the successful applicant MUST complete the Acquittal Form.  

    Submitted applications will be kept confidential and the contents will not be disclosed to any person outside the application and assessment process.

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