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Applications for Baw Baw Shire Arts and Culture with grants up to $2,000 is now open until 8 February 2026

Baw Baw Shire Council is offering grants up to $2,000 for local artists and creatives, supporting community-focused arts projects, collaboration and creative development, with applications open until 8 February 2026.

By news@gippsland - 5th January 2026 - Back to News

Baw Baw Shire is calling all local artists and creatives to apply for up to $2,000 in funding through council’s Arts and Culture Fund program. The Arts and Culture Fund is an initiative by council to support local creatives in their work, focusing on growing their creative practices and contributing to the arts in our community.

The Arts and Culture Fund supports local creatives with small grants, helping artists grow, enrich community life, and deliver council’s Creative Communities vision

Arts grant opportunities

Eligible applicants can apply for a monetary grant of up to $2,000 to support their work. The fund is designed to support projects that:

• Help grow creative projects in the community
• Add value to the local creative community and/or to their own work
• Help to develop the local arts community
• Provide the wider community with the chance to experience and/or participate in the arts

Create opportunities for creatives to work together with other artists, residents and local community groups on projects

In 2024, Baw Baw Shire Council’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) applied for council budget for an arts and culture grant program as a one-year trial. This initiative was successfully extended for a second year for 2025/2026 following positive feedback from the community. Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on Sunday 8 February 2026.

Backing local creatives

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson is encouraging all local artists to apply for the funding. "This is the second year we have offered this funding for our arts community. Back in our first funding year, we had 15 applications and successfully funded 11 projects. This is fantastic for our community. We are keen to see all of Baw Baw’s local artists and creatives apply for the funds again this time to help bring their creative projects to life."

To be eligible for funding, applicants must either be residents of Baw Baw Shire, creative practitioners with a creative practice primarily located in Baw Baw Shire, or an organisation or community group partnering with a Baw Baw Shire creative to deliver a project that will boost that creative’s work and benefit the Baw Baw Shire community.

Submissions can be made online via the Smartygrants application form, which can be found on the Arts & Culture Fund page of council’s website. All successful projects from this upcoming round of submissions must be completed by 25 September 2026. For more information about this initiative, including the funding criteria, or to access the online submission form, please visit Arts and Culture Fund on council’s website by visiting Arts and Culture Fund website.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  As 2025 ends, PUCV reflects on a productive year of growth, advocacy, and connectivity improvements, thanking member councils and supporters, while preparing an ambitious agenda for 2026 and beyond.
• East Gippsland Council defers Planning Scheme Amendment, seeks comprehensive review of Rural Land Use Strategy
  East Gippsland Council has deferred Planning Scheme Amendment C170egips, requesting a detailed review of the Rural Land Use Strategy to ensure future agricultural planning meets community needs.
• Cape Paterson Traffic Plan adopted to improve safety through community-driven road and pedestrian upgrades
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted the Cape Paterson Traffic Management Plan, developed with strong community input to improve safety through speed reductions, traffic calming, better intersections, and pedestrian-cyclist connectivity.
• Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath closed to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat events
  Wellington Shire Council will close McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat, reducing stress, ensuring safety, and allowing wildlife carers to assist vulnerable bats.
• Bass Coast secures long-term protection for distinctive landscapes and Western Port Woodlands
  Bass Coast Shire Council welcomes the Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy, securing long-term protections for 24 townships, distinctive landscapes, and the Western Port Woodlands while guiding sustainable future growth.
• Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub.
• Free visitor information materials help East Gippsland businesses guide visitors quickly and easily summer
  East Gippsland Shire Council is providing free QR-code posters, stickers and magnets to help businesses quickly connect visitors with maps, attractions, events and essential information via the Visit East Gippsland website.
• Have your say on the 2027 transition to Pre-Prep and help shape early learning in South Gippsland
  South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• Darren Chester praises Moogji Aboriginal Council for advancing health and sustainability in East Gippsland
  Darren Chester visited Moogji Aboriginal Council in Orbost, praising its vital health, youth, and environmental programs that support East Gippsland communities and promote Aboriginal culture, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.
• Latrobe City invites photographers and videographers to capture the region’s beauty in the ‘Latrobe Through Your Lens’ until 15 December 2025
  Latrobe City Council invites photographers and videographers to enter the eight-week Latrobe Through Your Lens competition, celebrating local people, places, and culture, with prizes including gift cards and getaway experiences.
• Latrobe City invites community feedback on draft Streetscape Strategy to enhance town centres until 20 October 2025
  Latrobe City Council has released its draft Streetscape Strategy for public feedback, aiming to enhance town aesthetics, accessibility, and sustainability through improved design, maintenance, and consistent public amenities.
• Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
  The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally.