Latest events and opportunities to support creativity in the Surf Coast Shire 🎭🎨🎶
It’s been an incredible start to the year, and we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the creativity happening across the shire. It’s inspiring to see the resilience of our creative community and the ideas and energy that continue to grow from it.
The Arts Team are excited to build on that momentum. We’re currently seeking creatives to lead a new community project through the Creative Initiative Project, an opportunity to engage the broader community and bring an innovative idea to life. If you’ve got an idea and would like to lead a community project, download the Artist Brief.
We’re also gearing up for a big year with the Surf Coast Arts Trail. Registrations have now closed, with around 300 artists involved across 70 venues. It’s set to be a huge weekend. There are new ways to get involved in 2026, including Arts Trail After Hours and our Volunteer Program.
Alongside this, we’ve got two great workshops coming up, including the online SHED Talk 'Wellbeing for Creatives' on Tuesday 14 April and 'How to Write an Artist Statement' workshop with Kylie Stillman on Wednesday 22 April.
Don’t miss what’s on at Anglesea Art Space. If you find yourself on the road and passing through Anglesea, make sure you drop in to see the Weaverbirds exhibition, on now.
Read on to explore opportunities, apply for the Creative Initiative Project, book into a workshop and get involved across the Surf Coast.
Arts Team: What's On
Online SHED Talk: Wellbeing for Creatives
Tuesday 14 April, 6pm
Join us online for this month’s SHED Talk.
Looking after your wellbeing as a creative can be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Be part of an honest conversation about resilience, creative pressures and sustaining a creative life.
This free session brings together artists, students and arts workers across all
disciplines to share experiences, practical strategies and connect with others.
Meet the Panellists:
Tracy Margieson is an arts researcher, producer and arts manager with nearly 20 years’ experience, specialising in creative wellbeing, professional development and arts leadership across Australia’s performing arts sector.
Bree Baker is a trauma-informed mental health counsellor, writer and musician supporting creatives through counselling, workshops and coaching, with experience in artist wellbeing, cultural identity and creative practice.
Online workshop: How to Write an Artist Statement
Wednesday 22 April, 1pm to 2pm
We’re excited to launch the 2026 Creative Lunchbox Sessions.
For the first session, artist Kylie Stillman will share how to create a clear and engaging artist statement.
Kylie will reflect on how she developed her own statement and guide participants through a simple approach to writing one, while sharing practical tips and examples that help audiences better understand and connect with your work
Book into an upcoming online Creative Lunchbox Session
Emailing marketing for Creatives
Thursday 11 June, 1pm to 2pm
Anthea Riskas will share practical ways creatives can use email marketing to communicate with their audiences.
Strategies for Strong Grant Applications
Thursday 13 August,. 1pm to 2pm
Build your skills in competitive applications, with guidance on how to present your ideas effectively.
Basics of Intellectual Property
Thursday 5 November, 1pm to 2pm
Lawyer Alana Kushnir will provide foundational knowledge for creatives to understand their rights and responsibilities.
2026 Surf Coast Arts Trail
It’s set to be an incredible weekend of creativity across the region!
Registrations have now closed, and the 2026 Surf Coast Arts Trail is taking shape, with around 300 artists across approximately 70 venues.
Not a participating artist this year? There are still plenty of ways to get involved!
Read on to find out how you can take part in Arts Trail After Hours and our new Volunteer Program, both launching for the first time in 2026
Join the Arts Trail volunteer team
Love the Arts Trail and want to be part of it, but not an artist?
Apply to be a Volunteer with us in 2026. Support artists, venues and visitors by welcoming guests, sharing information and helping with simple tasks.
It’s a great way to connect, contribute and experience the Trail from the inside.
Question about the role and accessibility? Please contact the Arts Team at artsteam@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
Be a part of Arts Trail After Hours
Creatives, businesses and venues are invited to be part of 'Arts Trail After Hours' on Saturday 1 August 2026 from 4pm.
It’s an opportunity to join the region-wide celebration of creativity during the Surf Coast Arts Trail weekend. Think live music, performances, talks, demonstrations or other creative experiences.
Participating venues will be featured in the Arts Trail After Hours Guide and promoted across Surf Coast Events, the Arts Trail website and printed program, Council channels and external media.
Need help shaping an idea? Please contact the Arts Team at artsteam@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
Upcoming at Anglesea Art Space
'Weaving Stories' exhibition
Thursday 2 to Sunday 19 April
The Weaverbirds present an exhibition of works created around Joy Beeby’s kitchen table each Monday morning, where weaving, materials and conversation come together to shape thoughtful and collaborative artworks.
'I Get Bored' exhibition
Thursday 23 April to Sunday 10 May
Elida Luciarte presents a new exhibition, bringing together a series of mini collections that reflect different stages of her artistic journey. Together, these works tell a layered story of exploration, change and creative growth.
Creative Opportunities
Call out for creatives
Lead the Creative Initiative Project
Surf Coast Shire Arts Team is seeking proposals from creatives to develop a new community arts project through the Creative Initiative Project.
We’re inviting ideas that are either new or new to Surf Coast, engage the community in their development, and deliver an outcome by the end of 2026.
Up to $12,000 is available to support a project that strengthens local arts, culture and the creative industry. All artforms are welcome, and we’re keen to see diverse and innovative ideas to share with the broader community.
Submissions due 5pm on Monday 11 May 2026.
Have an idea you would like to discuss? Please contact the Arts Team at artsteam@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
Here are a few opportunities currently open for creatives across Australia.
SURF COAST SHIRE GRANTS
Community Event Grants
Surf Coast Shire is offering grants between $500 to $3000 to to support small events that bring people together and strengthen local connections. Ideal for community festivals, local celebrations and inclusive events that encourage participation.
Applications close Thursday 30 April.
FUNDING
Creative Projects Fund
Creative Victoria is offering $10,000 to $30,000 through the Creative Projects Fund 2026, supporting projects by Victorian artists, creatives, collectives and small organisations.
Applications close 3pm, Thursday 16 April.
Community Heritage Grants
The National Library of Australia is offering grants of up to $20,000 to support community organisations to identify and care for nationally significant, publicly accessible cultural heritage collections.
Applications close Thursday 7 May.
LIFECYCLE: Touring Grants 2026
Music Australia invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music makers to apply for one of ten $20,000 grants supporting touring opportunities across Australia.
Applications close Sunday 3 May.
Frank Moorhouse Fellowship for Young Writers
The Copyright Agency’s Frank Moorhouse Fellowship for Young Writers supports a writer aged 18–35 to develop a new work of fiction, with a $10,000 award.
Applications close Monday 1 June
More information on Frank Moorhouse Fellowship for Young Writers
OPPORTUNITIES
Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program
The Australian Government’s Office for the Arts is seeking applications for a program supporting paid placements of up to 12 months for d/Deaf and disabled artists nationwide.
Applications close Sunday 19 April.
More information Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program
Connecting Places Opportunities for Small Halls Program
Regional Arts Victoria offers opportunities to support community presenters to partner with artists in funded residencies to develop new work.
Submissions close Sunday 26 April.
More information on Connecting Places Opportunities for Small Halls Program
Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award
Deakin University’s annual sculpture program showcases outstanding free-standing works by artists across Australia, with prizes up to $15,000.
Submissions close Friday 5 June.
More information on Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award
Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize
The Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize invites artists and designers to share environmentally focused work that inspires ideas for a more sustainable future.
Entries close Monday 18 May.
More information on Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize
E.M. Fletcher Writing Competition
Sponsored by Family History Act, this short story competition invites creative writing on family history and genealogy, celebrating and preserving personal and family stories through storytelling.
Submissions close Wednesday 15 July.
Showcase Your Creativity at Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library!
Local artists and makers are invited to showcase their work for free in display cabinets at Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library. Monthly rotations offer a diverse platform for community creativity across all art forms.
Indigenous Documentary Placement
ABC offers a paid placement for a mid-career Indigenous practitioner to undertake an extended opportunity with Australia’s national public broadcaster.
Submissions close Sunday 26 April.
Men Like Me Poetry Competition
Centre for Men and Families is coordinating the Men Like Me Poetry Competition, offering prizes of $300, $150 and $100, with selected poems published.
Submissions close Sunday 10 May.
ABC Heywire Competition
ABC offers a chance for young people aged 16–22 in regional Australia to share a true story through Heywire, with winners receiving mentoring, a workshop, travel and national exposure.
Applications close Tuesday 1 September.
Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Playwright Commission
Canberra Youth Theatre offers an opportunity for an emerging Australian playwright to create a new full-length work centred on young people’s voices, with a $17,700 commission.
Submissions close Monday 6 July.
More information on Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Playwright Commission
Bundyi Writing Prize
Simon & Schuster is seeking submissions for a program awarding an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer yet to publish a full-length work. The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Submissions close Monday 31 August.
Looking for funding or new opportunities?
Check out the Surf Coast Grant Finder, provided by Grant Guru. If you're thinking about applying, feel free to reach out to our Arts Development Officer, Bridget via artsteam@surfcoast.vic.gov.au. Bridget will be happy to chat about the grant process and give advice on how to navigate your application journey.
Promote your Event for FREE - Surf Coast Events
Surf Coast Events website LIVE!
Are you hosting a special event on the Surf Coast that is open to the public and likely to attract visitors to the region? You are invited to showcase your event on SurfCoastEvents.com.au .
- Increase visibility
- Connect with a wider audience
- Listing is Quick, Easy & Free
Whether it's a market, festival, music gig, art exhibition, performance or trail run – if it’s a special event happening on the Surf Coast, we want to help you promote it!
Read full Terms and Conditions to confirm your event’s eligibility to list on this website.
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The Wadawurrung People and the Gulidjan and Gadubanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar are the traditional custodians of the land we now call Surf Coast Shire. We acknowledge their custodianship, and all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of our Surf Coast Shire community. We value the special spiritual and material relationship that they have with the land and water, including the trees, rocks, hills, valleys, creeks, rivers and ocean of the Surf Coast and hinterland. We are committed to reconciliation.
Image credits
- Artwork 'Weaving Stories' exhibition, 2026. Image provided by Surf Coast Shire.
- Image provided by Surf Coast Shire.
- Image of facilitators: Tracey Margieson and Bree Baker, images provided by facilitator.
- Kylie Stillman, photograph by Sam Davis.
- '2025 Arts Trail visitors to local studio'. Image by Bobby Dazzler Photography.
- Artwork provided by Surf Coast Shire.
- Weaverbirds, artwork for 'Weaving Stories' exhibition. Image provided by artist.
- 'Eastern Rosella' Elida Luciarte. Image provided by artist.
- Image provided by Surf Coast Shire.
- Grace Cummings at The Sound Doctor. Photo: Patrick Callow.
