DEVELOP Artists and Creatives Grants
Pictured: Cara Johnson, Cast back | 2022 found river red gum post. found baling twine. Image: Fred Kroh
DEVELOP Artists and Creatives Grants
Council’s 2025 DEVELOP Artists and Creatives Grants are provided to Surf Coast Shire residents involved in arts and culture.
Applications are welcome from emerging, mid-career, and established creatives, including First Nations people, those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities.
The program provides $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for collectives to help artists explore new ideas and advance their practice and careers.
Applications are closed for 2025.
2025 Grant Recipients
Surf Coast Arts are excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 DEVELOP Artists and Creatives Grant program.
This year’s funded projects span large-scale sculpture, youth arts initiatives, cultural collaborations, sustainable making, and digital experiences—highlighting the depth and diversity of creativity across the Surf Coast.
- Brittany March, Developing Public Art Skills: A Whale Prototype
Funding supports mentorship and the creation of a fibreglass whale prototype to develop skills in large-scale public sculpture.
- Michelle Buggy, Abstract i.e..
Developing an online creative arts experience featuring daily videos and interviews with local and visiting artists.
- Erin Reinboth, Dream Big Studios
Creating a space connecting young people with artists and industry professionals through workshops, mentoring and exhibitions.
- Ruth Blackhirst, Il Vetro Lorne – Expanding Sustainable Functional Art Creation
Purchasing a larger kiln to expand sustainable art production with recycled materials and support workshops.
- Andrea Shaw, Exploring Textile Painting Techniques
Exploring textile painting on repurposed fabrics to integrate sustainability and spark dialogue on textile waste.
- Jessica Lesosky, The Chrysalis Project
Researching performing arts groups to assess capacity-building needs in Surf Coast Shire.
- Dr Lucy O'Grady, Light and Shade – Recording Neo-Classical Piano Works
Recording, mixing and mastering a solo album of neo-classical piano, electronica and voice for release in 2025.
- Lachlan Hurrell, Creating Music and Learning Culture on Yolngu Country
Collaborating with Yolŋu artist Yirrmal to deepen understanding of First Nations culture and develop song-writing skills.
- Jules Robinson, Broaden and Deepen
Funding to support mentorship and skill development to create new artwork for exhibition.
About DEVELOP Artist and Creatives Grant
Surf Coast Shire Council is committed to fostering an environment where people with clever and creative ideas can make a difference. We want the Surf Coast Shire to be a place to nurture, acknowledge and promote innovation, the creative arts and industries.
Our DEVELOP Artists and Creatives Fund supports creatives to explore new directions, ideas and concepts to advance their practice and/or their careers.
With these grants, Council recognises that new creative output does not occur without considerable time, research, development and effort.
2025 DEVELOP Artists and Creatives Grant Guidelines(PDF, 2MB)
Projects must be inclusive of people with disability, as per the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Guidelines and Checklist for Inclusive Events
Get Ready to apply: DEVELOP Grant info sessions
Surf Coast Shire Arts Team hosted Information sessions for creatives to learn more about the program. The dates and locations were:
- Wednesday 29 January in Lorne and Torquay
- Thursday 6 February in Winchelsea
- Wednesday 12 February, held online
If you were unable to attend a session, but would like to know more about what was discussed, please contact the Arts Development Officer via artsteam@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.