Creative Organisations Two Year Program

The Creative Organisations Two Year Program replaces the Annual Program of Activity category in the Arts Projects for Organisations program. It is a competitive program that provides two-year funding to small to medium organisations that bring dynamism to, and provide targeted support for, Western Australia’s creative ecosystem.

Program objectives

• Build organisational stability by strengthening governance, planning and operational capacity. 
• Deliver a range of creative, cultural and arts activities that are innovative, authentic, and demonstrate high artistic merit.
• Increase access and participation across WA by delivering programs that broaden community engagement, reflect WA’s diversity, and / or promote equity and inclusion.
• Celebrate WA stories and cultural traditions that strengthen cultural identity and fosters community connection.
• Encourage partnerships, innovation and collaboration that improves resilience, support resource sharing, and sector-wide sustainability.
• Support initiatives that grow employment and enhance professional development for artists, creatives, and cultural workers, while leveraging diverse funding sources to build financial sustainability.  

Program dates

The 2027 Creative Organisations – Two Year Program provides successful organisations two years of funding commencing on either: 

• 1 January 2027 for Calendar Year Organisations
•  1 July 2027 for Financial Year Organisations

Funding request

• Not be more than 80% of expenditure total
• Be realistic and supported by the application and budget

• Be commensurate with the level of programming and activity

Note: 

• The department has the discretion to award less than the funding requested. 
• If your organisation is successful in achieving multi-year funding, you cannot apply for additional Creative Projects for Organisations funding. 
• All applicants should plan for contingencies and consider other funding sources and options should their application be unsuccessful. 
• The department may recommend awarding your application under the Four Year program.   

Who can apply

The Program supports professional arts, cultural and creative organisations that:

• have received Creative Industries grant program funding in the last 2 years.
• are not-for-profit
• have been legally constituted for a minimum of two years
• are based in Western Australia
• have formal governance and professional operational infrastructure
• have annual financial budgeting processes and reporting systems.
• have an average income (inclusive of CITS funding) of at least $120,000 per annum for the past two years.

The program will invest in organisations from a range of creative disciplines, outer-metro and regional locations to increase diversity and extend access. 

• a sole trader / partnership or group / trusts / unincorporated association
• academic and training institutions
• local government authorities
• organisations whose primary focus is the delivery of competitions, awards or fundraising activities
• film, television, radio organisations and screen culture organisations
• private sector entities with a commercial outcome
• volunteer and/or unincorporated organisations.

• projects or activities that do not involve or benefit Western Australian practicing artists, creatives, or arts or cultural workers
• cost of regular maintenance and repairs, building and/or capital works
• the delivery of devolved funding programs
• costs already incurred or retrospective funding for activities already completed or due to be completed before the funding period commences.
• filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation or film festivals
• the purchase of artworks, land or buildings
• loan repayments
• competitions, awards, fundraising activities or prize money

How do I apply?

Please apply using the Online Grants web portal.

You will need to enter applicant information, plus provide the following:

• Statement of how your organisation responds to the program objectives
• Two-Year Business Plan — A detailed artistic/service plan of activity for 2027 and 2028
• Budget
• Organisation outputs
• Support material. 

4. Budget

You will be required to provide an indicative budget through the online portal for your first year of funding (calendar year 2027 or financial year 2027-28). Please note that your business plan should include a reflection of your historical financial performance and financial forecast for each year covered by the plan.

5. Organisation outputs

The Department has aligned the Creative Organisations Two Year program to the WA Government priorities and the Creative WA outcomes framework. 

Outputs are specific measurable things generated by your activities. This information will be considered as part of your application and provide further clarity about your activities for the assessor. The outputs also provide important data for the department for research, analysis and advocacy purposes.  All organisations are different, and some sections/outputs may not apply to you. You only need to provide outputs for the categories and items relevant to your activities. 

If successful, you will be required to report on the outputs you have submitted.

6. Support material 

Support material forms an important part of your application. It is recommended that you pay close attention to the support material you choose to ensure it offers the best support for your application. You can upload your support materials with your online application. 

If you are submitting audio and/or video files, you must upload them to file streaming sites like Vimeo, YouTube, Bandcamp or SoundCloud that do not require a log-in or password to access. Please do not use Dropbox to deliver audio, video or other files. You can find instructions on how to use these sites at the following links:

• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Soundcloud
• Bandcamp

Please do not use file sharing platforms such as Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive to deliver audio, video or other files.

More information about support material and acceptable formats and limits can be found in the table below.

How your application will be assessed?

Applications must meet the program objective and are assessed by a panel of industry peer assessors.  All applications are assessed against four criteria:

• Quality 
• Reach 
• Good Planning 
• Financial Responsibility. 

General information

Create an online grants application

• by email 
• that do not adhere to support material limits and format requirements
• that are submitted late; or
• where the organisation or key personnel have an overdue acquittal.

Notification

Organisations will be advised in writing of the outcome of your application approximately 24 weeks after the closing date. All successful applications will receive contracting information in due course. 

The program will offer two year fixed term agreements. Funding agreements will commence 1 January 2027 for organisations on a calendar year cycle, and 1 July 2027 for organisations on a financial year cycle.

Reporting requirements

• Proposed budget, annual program of activities and organisation outputs for the upcoming year of funding and Insurance certificates of currency 
• Audited financial statements, Annual report, Actual budget and organisation outputs, update of management and governance.  

The Department uses these reporting mechanisms to monitor the progress of the organisations.

• National Relay Service (NRS) then ask for 6552 7400.
• Internet Relay Calls
• Captioned Relay Calls

TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 6552 7400.

Speak and Listen users phone 1800 555 727 ask for 6552 7400.

Interpreting assistance

For interpreting assistance in languages other than English, telephone the Translation and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask for a connection to 6552 7400.