Last updated on February 2nd, 2026 at 10:14 am
Quick Response Grants funds professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports the immediate need that arises where the activity is unable to be planned for or supported in other funding rounds, for example taking up professional development, skills development or small project opportunities at short notice.
Victorian case studies from the Regional Arts Fund are available at our resources page.
You can apply for Quick Response Grants up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations.
How to apply
Please follow these steps carefully before booking to speak with an advisor or applying. Booking times are limited and staff may not be available close to the application deadline. We suggest you plan ahead and book early. Only one advice session per eligible applicant is allowed.
Click on each step from the menu below to view information.
Address: To submit an application, you must be a resident of Regional Victoria.
MMM Indicator: Regional Arts Fund funding cannot principally benefit a location classified as MM 1 (major cities). To check if your project is taking place in an eligible location, visit the Health Workforce Locator at www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator
ABN: If you have not already done so, make sure your ABN registration reflects your current regional address. The postcodes must match.
Status: You must be an individual or Australian incorporated organisation or local government organisation.
Unincorporated groups are eligible for funding if auspiced by an organisation that meets the above criteria.
Under 18: You are able to apply, but you must be auspiced by someone over 18 who has an ABN. Your auspice must be an individual, not an organisation.
View more information on eligibility and who is not eligible here.
Your application needs to show evidence of community partnerships and a demonstrated need for this arts activity to happen in a regional community.
Your application must be for a high-quality arts project that benefits regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities.
View the PDF preview of the Quick Response Grant application form to prepare for your application (your application must be made via the SmartyGrants portal, the below form is for preparation only):
Look at previous recipients to see if your project is comparable:
You must read the guidelines before speaking to an advisor or applying.
Contact us for an accessible version: [email protected]
Eligible applicants for Quick Response Grants do not have to speak advisor before applying, though they are welcome to.
Our Regional Arts Fund advisors are located across the state. You are able to discuss your project by making a booking.
| Stacie Bobele | Advising applicants in the G21 Region – Geelong, Surf Coast, Queenscliffe, Golden Plains, and Colac/Otway. |
| Angela Frost | Advising applicants in Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Loddon, Horsham, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Buloke, Yarriambiack, Bendigo, Campaspe and Mildura Shires. |
| Stacey Barnes | Advising applicants in Warrnambool, Moyne, Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Corangamite Shires. |
| Jo Porter | Advising applicants across Victoria. |
| Kate Gerritsen | Advising applicants across Victoria. |
| Susie Lyons | Advising applicants across Victoria. |
| Nell Ustundag | Advising applicants across Victoria. |
You can discuss your submission with any of the Advisors, please choose based on their availability. If there are no times available this means that staff are fully booked until the next available date appearing.
Contact a funding advisor
Please note – Advisors are available to discuss Regional Arts Fund Project Grants and Quick Response Grants ONLY.*
If you are experiencing difficulties accessing the booking page, please call 1300 882 531.
If you have completed these steps, you may begin your application:
- Checked your eligibility
- Read the guidelines
- Read the preview of the application form (optional)
- Spoken to an advisor* (optional)
- Gathered your application material required for the application
More information
You will be advised in writing of the outcome of your application no later than 5 business days from the date the round closes, see table below for details.
Projects must commence between 2 to 12 weeks after the date you submit your application, (e.g. the earliest your start date can be is 14 days from the closing date of the round).
*Advice and guidance from Regional Arts Victoria staff can only be provided on business days. While the Quick Response Program is open online on weekdays, there is no support provided on Saturdays, Sundays, or Public Holidays. Please consult with individual staff for their availability or check the calendar in the ‘book a time with an advisor’ section of this page as some staff work part-time.
**Please note that Regional Arts Victoria staff are unable to read drafts for Quick Response Grants.
Timelines
The Quick Response Rounds open in February and run each month until November. See 2026 deadlines below.
| Grant Round Opens | Grant Round Closes | Deadline to discuss application with Regional Arts Victoria staff* | Deadline for Smarty Grants Support* | Notification of Outcome | Earliest Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9am, Sunday 1 February 2026 | Midnight, Saturday 28 February 2026 | 4pm, Friday 28 February 2026 | 4pm Thursday 27 February 2026 | Monday 8 March 2026 | Sunday 15 March 2026 |
9am, Sunday 1 March 2026 | Midnight, Tuesday 31 March 2026 | 4pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026 | 4pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026 | Thursday 9 April 2026 | Tuesday 15 April 2026 |
Wednesday 15 April 2026 | Midnight, Thursday 30 April 2026 | 4pm, Thursday 30 April 2026 | 4pm, Thursday 30 April 2026 | Monday 11 May 2026 | Thursday 15 May 2026 |
Friday 15 May 2026 | Midnight, Sunday 31 May 2026 | 4pm, Friday 29 May 2026 | 4pm, Thursday 28 May 2026 | Monday 8 June 2026 | Monday 15 June 2026 |
9am, Monday 1 June 2026 | Midnight, Tuesday 30 June 2026 | 4pm, Tuesday 30 June 2026 | 5pm, Monday 30 June 2026 | Monday 7 July 2026 | Tuesday 15 July 2026 |
9am, Wednesday 1 July 2026 | Midnight, Friday 31 July 2026 | 4pm, Friday 31 July 2026 | 4pm, Tuesday 30 June 2026 | Wednesday 8 July 2026 | Wednesday 15 July 2026 |
9am, Saturday 1 August 2026 | Midnight, Monday 31 August 2026 | 4pm, Friday 29 August 2026 | 4pm, Thursday 30 July 2026 | Monday 10 August 2026 | Saturday 15 August 2026 |
9am, Tuesday 1 September 2026 | Midnight, Wednesday 31 September 2026 | 4pm, Wednesday 31 September 2026 | 4pm, Wednesday 31 September 2026 | Thursday 8 October 2026 | Thursday 15 October 2026 |
9am, Thursday 1 October 2026 | Midnight, Saturday 31 October 2026 | 4pm, Friday 30 October 2026 | 4pm, Thursday 29 October 2026 | Monday 9 November 2026 | Sunday 15 October 2026 |
9am, Sunday 1 November 2026 | Midnight, Monday 30 November 2026 | 4pm, Monday 30 November 2026 | 4pm, Monday 30 November 2026 | Tuesday 8 December 2026 | Tuesday 15 December 2026 |
*Advice and guidance from Regional Arts Victoria staff can only be provided on business days. Please use the booking calendar to check staff availability as some staff work part-time. If there are no times available this means that staff are fully booked until the next available date appearing.
The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia.