Expression of Interest - Merri-bek Festivals Development Program 2025

Image: Previous Merri-bek Festivals Development Program recipient The Wayfarers by The Task at Hand, performing at Glenroy Festival 2025. Image credit: Simon Fazio.

Expression of Interest

Merri-bek Festivals Development Program 2025

Please read the Merri-bek Festivals Development Program Expression of Interest Guidelines 2025 before starting your application.

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 Monday 9 June 2025 at 11:59 PM.

Key Dates:

Applications Close

Successful applicants notified

Monday 9 June at 11:59 PM

Late June 2025

About the Program

The Merri-bek Festivals Development Program supports artists and producers in the creation of new performance, live art or participatory works, which will premiere at a Merri-bek City Council Presented Festival or Event.

The program will support up to two projects with a financial contribution of up to $10,000 for each project.

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 2025 and fill out the form below. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone or email.

Applications close Monday 9 June 2025 at 11:59 PM. Late applications will not be accepted.

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 which is AVAILABLE VIA THIS LINK.

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.

Projects may be considered for presentation across any of our annual programs in 2025 and 2026, with a preference for outcomes at Fawkner Festa and Glenroy Festival.

Enquiries:

Enquiries should be directed to Fred Chuang, Festivals Officer via email festivals@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or phone +61 3 9240 1208.

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? *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)

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. *

Thank you!