Expression of Interest - Merri-Bek Festivals Development Program

Previous Merri-bek Festivals Development Program recipient Fungal Forest by Sanctum Studios, at Glenroy Festival

2026. Image credit: J Forsyth

Expression of Interest

Merri-bek Festivals Development Program 2026

Highlights:

Supports new performance, live art, or participatory works.
Premieres at a Merri-bek City Council Presented Festival or Event.
Up to $10,000 funding per project (two projects supported).
Applications close Sunday 21 June at 11:59 PM. Late applications will not be accepted.

About the Program

The Merri-bek Festivals Development Program supports artists and producers in the creation of new performance, live art or participatory works.

The program will support up to two projects with a financial contribution of up to $10,000 for each project development. This funding is provided for the development and creation of the work and does not include the presentation fee for the project outcome.

Projects may be considered for presentation across any of our annual programs in 2026 and 2027, with a preference for outcomes presented at Fawkner Festa and Glenroy Festival.

Who can apply?

The Merri-bek Festivals Development Program offers an excellent opportunity for artists and producers interested in creating new, engaging, and family-friendly work for the communities of Merri-bek.

The program considers applications from artists or producers who live or work in Merri-bek, or for projects that can clearly demonstrate a connection to Merri-bek. Applications from diverse communities, including First Nations, migrant and refugee, d/Deaf and Disabled, women, and LGBTQIA+ artists are strongly encouraged.

If you have questions or need support to submit in a different format, please contact us.

How to apply

To apply for the Merri-bek Festivals Development Program, interested applicants should read all the information in the Merri-bek Festivals Development Program Expression of Interest Guidelines 2026 and fill out the form below. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone or email.

Budget

Your project budget should cover research and development costs, artist and creative fees, and expenses for costumes, props, technical equipment, and other materials; and preliminary marketing material. Presentation costs must also be included to assess the viability of your project.

Please use our Budget Template

Protocols

If your project involves the use of culturally significant content (for example, from First Nations, Nepalese, or other cultural communities). We may contact you to provide appropriate documentation demonstrating community consultation, permissions, or cultural authority relating to the use of that material.

Enquiries:

Enquiries should be directed to Rosie Hazell, Festivals Officer via email festivals@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or phone +61 3 9240 1228.

Part 1: About you and your team

Key Contact First Name *

Key Contact Last Name *

Key Contact Preferred Pronouns

Email Address *

Key Contact Phone Number *

Company/Organisation/Group (if any)

Address

Street address

City

State

Postcode

Are you applying as an individual or as a group/organisation? *

Individual Group/Organisation

Do you or key members of your team identify with any of the following? (Please select all that are relevant) *

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communitiesMigrant and refugee communitiesPeople with disabilityWomenLesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer and Asexual and Aromantic (LGBTIQA+) communitiesNone of the above

Anything else you would like us to know about your background or community connections (optional):

Do you live, work or practice in the Merri-bek Local Government Area? *

If YES, please select your suburb:

Please tell us about your practice and that of any other people key to the project. *(2000 characters maximum)

Part 2: About Your Project

Project Title: *

Brief Project Summary *Please provide a short overview of your proposed project (750 characters maximum)

What is your idea? (If submitting via movie, please add the online link to the recorded video in this field.) *What makes your project original, creative, or meaningful to you or your community? (2500 characters maximum)

Who are the key audiences for this project and how they will experience it? *Tell us who you want to reach or involve in your project. How will they take part or connect with it? How does your idea reflect local people, cultures, or stories in Merri-bek? (2500 characters maximum)

How have you considered accessibility? *Please outline how your project will be accessible to participants and audiences. Consider physical access, language, cost, cultural safety, and other relevant factors. (450 characters maximum)

Which festival/community do you think this project would fit best in and why? *How does your idea connect with the festival’s goals of creativity, inclusion, and bringing people together? (1000 characters maximum)

Part 3: Attachments

Project Budget: Please upload a budget showing how you plan to develop and present your project. *

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The budget should include: research and development costs; artist and creative fees; costs for costumes, props, technical equipment, and other materials; and preliminary marketing material. . Presentation costs must also be included to assess the viability of your project.

Please use our Budget Template which is AVAILABLE VIA THIS LINK.

Project Timeline: Please upload a draft timeline showing key stages or activities for your project. *

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Artist Bios: Please upload short bios (350 words or less) for the key people involved in your project. *

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Additional Supporting Material (optional): You can upload anything else you think is helpful for your application.

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If your project involves the use of culturally significant content (for example, from First Nations, Nepalese, or other cultural communities). We may contact you to provide appropriate documentation demonstrating community consultation, permissions, or cultural authority relating to the use of that material.

Part 4: Links

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

I have read and agree to the Merri-bek Festivals Development Program Expression of Interest Guidelines. *

I declarethat the information I have provided is both true and accurate.

*

I have read andagree to the following Terms & Conditions:

*

Privacyand Declaration

Merri-bek City Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

The personal information requested on this form is being collected by Merri-bek City Council for the purpose of administering and assessing applications for the Merri-bek Festivals Development Program and may also be used to update your personal information otherwise held by Council (for example, contact details including email address, phone number).

The personal information will be disclosed to assessment panel members engaged by Council for the purpose of evaluating applications for the Merri-bek Festivals Development Program, and may also be used by Council for related purposes.

It will not be disclosed to any other external party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law. If the personal information is not provided, Council may not be able to process your application or contact you regarding the outcome.

You can gain access to your personal information you have provided to Merri-bek City Council and if you wish to alter it, please contact Council’s Festivals Officer via telephone on 9240 1208 or e-mail at festivals@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Thank you!

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