This grant provides a significant investment in a major new work by a leading South Australian independent artist, group or arts and cultural organisation. Projects must have a significant public outcome and be launched/ presented/ premiered/ exhibited first in South Australia in a high-profile setting.
Funding may be sought for project costs at every stage, including development, production and presentation.
Individual artists, artist groups and arts and cultural organisations (funded and un-funded) can apply. Applications must show how the commission will represent a scale of production and presentation that builds the applicant’s profile and extends their creative aspirations.
Applications must include a commissioning partner, such as a production house, independent producer, festival, publisher, gallery, arts organisation or high-profile venue. Partners must have a track record of producing projects of a similar scale and commit to securing at least 30% of the project’s budget (cash or in-kind) from sources other than Arts South Australia.
In the case of an arts organisation commissioning work by an independent artist or artists, the organisation would be required to meet the 30% co-investment benchmark.
Important note:
To assist you with your application, read the Arts and Culture Grants Program General Guidelines before you apply.
| September 2026 Round | |
|---|---|
| Grant amount | $100,000 |
| Open date | 19 August 2026 |
| Closing date | 28 September 2026 (5pm) |
| Notification date | 4 December 2026 |
| Funded activity commencement date | 18 December 2026 |
Who can apply
- Independent artists and groups
- Funded organisations: small-to-medium organisations, major organisations
- Arts and cultural organisations not in receipt of annual or multi-year State Government funding
Who is ineligible
- Statutory Authorities (but may be a commissioning partner)
- Organisations funded through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (NPAPF)
What you can apply for
- Administration
- Commissioning fees
- Creative fees (such as performers, composers, choreographers, designers, etc.)
- Producer fees
- Technical personnel and production costs
- Marketing costs
- Materials
- Hire of studio, venue and equipment
- Travel, living allowance
- Freight
- Curatorial cost, catalogue essay writer’s fees, catalogue design and printing costs
- Photography and documentation
- Exhibition costs
How to apply
Read How to Apply before you begin preparing your application.
Application information
There are four key elements to your application as listed below.
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to commence an application. Type/copy text into the provided fields.
Project Summary (up to 300 words)
Project Detail and Rationale (up to 2000 words)
Refer to the Assessment Criteria and include:
- rationale and objectives
- artist selection process
- approach to risk management.
Artists/Creatives
Enter a short biography (up to 300 words) or upload a CV for each.
Project Plan and Timeline
Complete the table in the application form, including:
- dates/stages of your activity (highlighting the period of funded activity)
- how and where you will undertake or deliver the activity
- who will be involved at each stage
- expected outcomes at each stage.
Artist Brief
Upload a document to the application form. Refer to Developing an Artist's Brief for more information.
Developing an Artist's Brief (PDF, 139.3 KB)
Please Note: Project proposals must include information about how appropriate protocols (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Working with Children in Art; COVID-19) will be followed.
Upload letters of support (up to five) and confirmations to the application form. Combine documents where possible.
Upload Support Material to the application form.
Include:
- Artist’s Concept written proposal
- concept drawings, site plans and engineering details, noting scale and materials.
Refer to How to Apply for information about Support Material.
Complete the consolidated budget template in the application form.
Upload a detailed budget and notes to budget (including quotes to support major expenses) to the application form.
Refer to How to Apply for information about application budgets.
Recipients
October 2025
| Applicant | Project Title | Amount Approved |
|---|---|---|
| ActNow Theatre | Josh and Sophia Don't Play Together Anymore | $100,000 |
October 2024
| Applicant | Project Title | Approved Amount |
|---|---|---|
Mimili Maku Arts | Melting Point | $100,000 |
October 2023
| Applicant | Project title | Amount approved |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity & Other Myths | Ten Thousand Hours - Final Development | $100,000 |
| Insite Arts | Logan Street | $100,000 |
| Applicant | Project title | Amount approved |
|---|---|---|
| Writers SA | The Tarntanya Review | $100,000 |
| Applicant | Project title | Amount approved |
|---|---|---|
| Open Space Contemporary Arts | Projects of the Everyday - Stage 2 | $100,000 |
February 2023
| Applicant | Project title | Amount approved |
|---|---|---|
| Slingsby Theatre Company | A Concise Compendium of Wonder - a triptych | $100,000 |
October 2022
| Applicant | Project title | Amount approved |
|---|---|---|
| COLLECT | Barbaros - Final Development & Presentation | $98 971 |
October 2021
| Recipient | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Brink Productions | The Hollow Queen by H Lawrence Sumner - a co-production by Brink Productions and State Theatre Company of South Australia | $100,000 |
October 2020
| Recipient | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feast Festival | Dr Duncan Project | $100,000 |
Contact
For more information or assistance contact
