By Monica Davidson In the last few months, the conversation for many of us has moved from “Are you using AI” to “HOW are you using AI?” As creatives, we’re both angry at the IP thievery and...
Blog
Planning on Empty
By Monica Davidson The words ‘strategic planning’ are the last you want to hear if you're a freelance creative or running a small arts business, and everything feels like it’s being held together...
Tax Time for Creative Business
By Monica Davidson Sure, it’s boring, but tax is super important for creative practitioners and arts organisations. It’s a weird combination of both boring and scary, but learning how it works can...
The Art of Coffee
By Monica Davidson Coffee is certainly a powerful tool. It certainly has the power to help me dress, drive and think in the mornings, or kick on for a big night (how things have changed). Coffee can...
What Assessors Actually Look for in an Arts Grant Application (And Why Most Artists Get It Wrong)
By Cat Dibley Here’s the thing nobody tells you about arts grant writing in Australia: assessors aren’t looking for the most talented artist. They’re looking for the artist who can best prove...
What Clients Want
I‘ve been working a lot lately with creative practitioners who are really struggling with client management. They’re either attracting clients that micro-manage, or they’re dealing with clients who...
The Imposterism Club: Why Your Success is No Accident
by Monica Davidson “I have written 11 books but each time I think ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.” Maya Angelou In 1978,...
Learning to Thrive
By Monica Davidson 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of Creative Plus Business, and in those first few wobbly months a decade ago I was on the most epic learning curve I’d had since the start of...
A New Era for Storytelling: Celebrating the 2025 Social Enterprise for Screen Cohort
Creative Plus Business is absolutely thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our inaugural Social Enterprise for Screen (SEFS) pilot program, and the launch of the program's Impact Report....
Reflections on Strategic Quitting and Spectacular Failure
By Monica Davidson As the end of the year rapidly approaches, it’s easy to look back over the achievements and mistakes of the last twelve months, and vow to make it all different or better or less...
Getting Paid On Time
by Monica Davidson Oh no, that sinking feeling, when you realise that the payment your client was supposed to make has not appeared in your bank account. It doesn’t appear the next day, or the next....
Unicorns vs Workhorses
By Monica Davidson For most professional creatives, juggling a few different income streams is essential to spreading financial risk. We move between employment, freelancing, and side hustles to...
C+B Conversations: Little and Often – Nick Bolton’s Mantra for Creative Entrepreneurs.
Our advisors and mentors are more than creative business experts—they are working creative professionals who have experienced the highs and lows of carving out a career in their field. They utilise...
C+B Conversations: Bridging Art & Sustainability. Meet Mentor & Advisor Sats Kramer
by Robbi James Creative Plus Business advisors are more than experts—they are creative business specialists who understand first hand the joys and challenges of working in a field they’re passionate...
Announcing the 2025 Social Enterprise for Screen Recipients
Creative Plus Business has announced the nineteen successful screen practitioners and organisations who will participate in the inaugural Social Enterprise for Screen program, supported by the...
The Glimmer Moments
by Monica Davidson I had a moment this morning. My puppy Coco was thoroughly enjoying an encounter with the long grass around the train station near my home. It took me back a few years to when my...
C+B Conversations: From Canvas to Community – Robyn Saurine on Empowering Creative Entrepreneurs
by Robbi James At Creative Plus Business, our advisors and mentors are not only experts in their fields—they are passionate professionals dedicated to guiding creative individuals and businesses...
The Art of the Hustle
by Monica Davidson Conference season has begun and the hustle is a-happening. As someone who attends a lot of events and gatherings, I consider myself to be quite the Schmooze Cruise Captain....
C+B Conversations: Empowering Creativity with Cat Dibley
by Robbi James At Creative Plus Business, our advisors and mentors are industry-leading experts dedicated to helping creative professionals and their businesses succeed. One such expert is Cat...
Funding F*#k Ups – 7 Mistakes to Avoid
by Monica Davidson Funding for creative activity in Australia is really competitive. According to Creative Australia, our national arts funding body, the success rate is between 15% and 20%. Even...
C+B Conversations: Supporting Creativity with Andrew Gray
by Robbi James At Creative Plus Business, our advisors and mentors are industry-leading experts dedicated to helping creative professionals and their businesses thrive. They bring a wealth of...
C+B Conversations: Unlocking Creativity with Felicity Blake
by Robbi James Creative Plus Business advisors and mentors are known for their passion and expertise in guiding creatives and businesses toward sustainable, and personally fulfilling, success. But...
DIY Strategic Planning
by Monica Davidson With state and federal governments preparing to distribute grant money for 2025, many creatives and cultural orgs are creating (or updating) their strategic plans. Some are...
Tough Times Tips
by Monica Davidson Times are tough. Are you OK? The current economic climate in Australia is challenging for creatives, even if we don’t have mortgages or are lucky enough to not have big grocery...