Werribee’s creative professionals with big ideas to transform their practice and build their skills and careers are invited to apply for the latest round of the Victorian Government’s creative R&D program, the Creators Fund.

The fund, which aligns with grants in the medical, science and technology fields, supports creative professionals to undertake the kind of intensive research, development or experimentation that leads to career defining, groundbreaking creative work.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas encourages artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers, writers and other creative professionals from across Werribee to apply.

Applications are open to Victorian individuals and collectives working in any creative field including digital games, literature, craft, theatre, music, screen, dance, visual art, fashion and design. Grants of between $20,000 and $50,000 are available to support activities for up to six months.

Since its launch in 2018, the Creators Fund has supported almost 160 Victorian creatives statewide, working in all creative fields.

Previous recipients include industrial designer Nyein Aung whose grant supported the design of a new bed for palliative care use, and screenwriter Alexander Swords who developed a method for narrative design in games that is now used by developers across the globe.

Writer Maxine Beneba Clarke recently landed a new book deal for a children’s poetry collection she researched and developed with Creators Fund support.

Creators Fund applications are open to professional creatives at all career stages, including creative collectives, and there are dedicated streams for First Peoples creatives, and Deaf and Disabled creatives.

Applications for the 2023 Creators Fund close 3pm Wednesday 22 February, with the Deaf and Disabled stream closing 3pm Wednesday 1 March 2023.

For more information, visit https://creative.vic.gov.au/funding-opportunities/find-a-funding-opportunity/creators-fund.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“In any industry, innovation requires dedicated time for research, experimentation and development. Devoting time to this unpaid but vital work can be a challenge for many Werribee independent creatives.”

“The Creators Fund is an important pillar of the Victorian Government’s investment in the creative industries, backing our creative innovators to break new ground and level up their careers.”