Brisbane Creative Sparks Grants 2026–27: Up to A$15,000 for Local Visual and Creative Projects, 9 November Deadline
Funding for new creative work in Brisbane
Applications are open for Brisbane City Council's Creative Sparks Grants Program 2026–27. The programme supports professional artists, creative workers and eligible not-for-profit cultural organisations developing or presenting new creative works for audiences in Brisbane, Queensland. It is administered by the council in partnership with the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Eligible visual, design and digital creative projects are considered through the same programme criteria; this is not a grant reserved exclusively for digital art.
Grant amount and timing
Applicants may request up to A$15,000 per application, excluding GST. Supported projects must create or substantially develop new work to be presented or made available in Brisbane between 16 March 2027 and 18 January 2028. Proposals must also include another funding contribution: this programme will not cover 100% of project expenses. No more than 50% of the requested funding may be allocated to publishing and printing costs.
Local applicant eligibility
Individuals must be professional artists or creative workers based in the Brisbane local government area, while eligible not-for-profit community arts and cultural organisations must also be based in that area. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, be at least 17 years old, and have a Brisbane-registered Australian Business Number (ABN) or the support of an eligible Brisbane-based auspice organisation. The rules also exclude applicants with overdue council or Arts Queensland grant acquittals.
Application deadline and exclusions
Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and close at 3 p.m. Brisbane local time on Monday, 9 November 2026. Applicants may submit only one application in this grant round. The council does not allow applicants to combine Creative Sparks with its Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowship in the same financial year, or to apply if they have received A$10,000 or more in council creative funding within the specified year.
Organiser and previous grant rounds
Brisbane City Council administers the grants with Arts Queensland. Its official grant page also publishes links to grant guidelines, budget examples and recipients from previous rounds, allowing artists to review the programme's history and types of funded creative projects.
Official guidelines and application
Read Brisbane City Council's Creative Sparks programme requirements and apply through the official SmartyGrants system linked on its website. Creative Sparks Grants 2026–27: Brisbane City Council
Important note
This article provides a summary. To avoid misunderstandings, please be sure to check the official page for full details. Information verified: 22 October 2026.
Our competitions
Aion Digital Art Prize is a separate independent competition; eligible digital works previously exhibited or awarded may also be submitted under its own rules. Aion Digital Art Prize information
Publish an opportunity
Paid listings for music and visual or digital arts opportunities can be requested using Ise-Shima Art Company's English-language submission form. Ise-Shima Art Company is the company behind Aion Laboratory. Submit a paid arts opportunity listing