WEBINAR: Tax Time for Creatives
2026-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 (Australia/Sydney)
It’s June so that means it’s time to get your money stuff in order. It’s not much fun, but a few simple tips and tricks (and a friendly face) can help.

In this FREE webinar we’ll discuss the basics of how income tax works for creative practitioners. It’s a fast and friendly guide to how income tax works, how to navigate the different types of money you’ve made (and spent), and a few simple ideas to help you get organised in time for EOFY and take the terror out of tax. Go from chaos to clarity with the taming of your taxes! Join your fellow creatives and remember, you are not alone!

In this webinar we’ll discuss:

The absolute basics of how income tax works,

The creative tax rulings that you need to know,

The eternal question – Are you a hobby or a business?

How to work out your tax deductions (and why).

Easy tips and tricks for record-keeping,

Making better financial habits for next year,

Most importantly – where to go for more help!

Part of our Evening Education Series. The series is delivered as part of our commitment as a Social Enterprise to devote at least 50% of our profit to making programs and education free or heavily subsidised for creatives and arts organisations.

REGISTER FOR FREE NOW (Via Crowdcast)

What’s Included?A 60 minute webinar with our creative industries expert (which you can access later if you want) plus lifetime access to additional resources.

Who’s it for?Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, small arts organisations, and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (international sign-ups welcome!).

Who is the Host?Monica Davidson – Monica is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about business skills, financial literacy, wellbeing, and marketing.What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will be provided via Crowdcast. Click the link below to reserve your place.

REGISTER FOR FREE VIA CROWDCAST

New to CROWDCAST? Check out our handy ‘How to register and use Crowdcast’ Guide here.

Penrith: Funding Fundamentals Workshop
2026-06-11 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney)
A workshop dedicated to the basics of how to write, manage and maintain funding. Presented by Creative Plus Business for Penrith City Council’s Magnetic Places Artist Development Series.

Grants, funding, procurement, scholarships and awards are often held up as the holy grail of a successful arts career, but this revenue stream also takes hard work, dedication and patience. After all, there’s no such thing as ‘free money’.

Funding Fundamentals is a workshop showcasing the basics of preparation, application, and acquittal for any kind of funding, as well as getting organised for future applications. It’s packed with information and suitable for novices and more experienced funding-seekers alike. There is always more to learn about funding!

Best suited for artists and cultural practitioners of all skill levels and experiences.

Light catering will be provided.

REGISTER NOW

You will learn the following, with a special focus on arts practice and creative industries:

+ The different kinds of funding available, from grants to procurement and more.+ Creating a Funding Folder and Deadline Calendar for regular applications.+ Writing the Application – and avoiding the most common errors.+ Getting the money right, with budgeting and income (including templates).+ The Acquittal Process – and how to recover from setbacks.+ The five main ways to avoid ‘failing’ at funding.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:

+ Downloadable templates and project plans.+ A guide to auspicing and where to look for help.+ Writing tips and examples.+ Case Studies.+ Guides for how to prepare for acquittals.

Plus you’ll also get…+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Cat Dibley – Cat Dibley is a national and international creative producer with over 10 years’ experience producing dance, theatre, tours, and festivals. She has worked at major theatre companies across Australia, Europe, and the US and founded a theatre company in 2011, producing many shows under this banner for mainstage companies, festivals, and large-scale national tours. Cat has worked as a creative consultant, story producer, screen development producer, educator and mentor.

What is the Magnetic Places Program?Produced by Penrith City Council, 5 professional development workshops have been curated for local artists and cultural practitioners looking to build knowledge and skills in the practice of community arts and cultural development (CACD) and seeking creative funding. These hands-on sessions will provide foundational skills and knowledge in CACD practice, guidance in how to develop a project proposal for the Magnetic Places Grants Program and legal rights and responsibilities when receiving public funding.

What is Creative Plus Businesss?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Accessibility: access information, including travel directions, can be found here.

Cost: Registration is FREE thanks to Penrith City Council

Location: Nepean Room, Penrith Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith

REGISTER NOW

Inner West Creative Toolbox: Building Your Audience
2026-06-15 13:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Sydney)
Build your base. Find your fans.

Your work deserves an audience. This Learning Lab is all about building the bridge between your practice and the people you want to reach — from growing your profile and building your brand, to creating genuine connection, loyalty, and community around your work.

The day begins with a foundational 101 masterclass, before diving into three in-depth workshops exploring Community Engagement, Social Media, and Public Relations. You’ll then take the conversation further in our live case study roundtables, working through real-world challenges alongside industry experts and fellow creatives.

Whether you’re starting from scratch, building momentum, or refreshing your approach, Building Your Audience offers practical tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections for every stage of creative practice.

BOOK NOW VIA INNER WEST COUNCIL

ProgramTo view the full program visit the Inner West Council website here.

2:00pm : Masterclass: Audience with Cat Dibley

3:30pm : Bite Sized Talks

4:30pm : Workshop: Using Social Media with Monica Davidson

4:30pm : Workshop: Public Relations with Belinda Dyer

4:30pm : Workshop: Community Engagement with Wanyika Mshila

6:15pm : Case Study Round Table: Using Social Media with Robbi James

6:15pm : Case Study Round Table: Public Relations with Belinda Dyer

6:15pm : Case Study Round Table: Community Engagement with Wanyika Mshila

What is Creative Toolbox: Learning Labs?Shaped by feedback from the 2025 Creative Toolbox Symposium, these hands-on Learning Labs tackle the skills creatives told us they want most right now. From marketing, community building and PR, to grants, philanthropy and monetising your business, each Learning Lab features expert-led masterclasses, in-depth workshops, live case study roundtables, and opportunities to connect with fellow artists and industry experts. Whether you’re just starting out, building momentum, or ready for your next chapter, there’s something here for every stage of creative practice.

Presented by Inner West Council

Location: Marrickville Pavilion, Marrickville Library

Costs:

Masterclass – Free

Workshops – $10

Round Table Sessions – $5

BOOK NOW VIA INNER WEST COUNCIL

Inner West Creative Toolbox: Money Money Money!
2026-06-15 13:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Sydney)
Fund your future. Monetise your magic.

Money matters. This Learning Lab is designed to help you build the confidence, knowledge, and practical tools to fund your creative future.

The day begins with a foundational 101 masterclass focused on growing, managing, and diversifying your income, before moving into three in-depth workshops exploring Grant Writing, Monetising Your Creative Practice, and Philanthropy. You’ll then take your learning further in our live case study roundtables, unpacking real-world challenges alongside industry experts and fellow creatives.

Whether you’re applying for your first grant, exploring new income streams, or ready to take your fundraising to the next level, Money, Money, Money offers practical strategies, fresh thinking, and real-world advice for wherever you are in your creative career.

BOOK NOW VIA INNER WEST COUNCIL

ProgramTo view the full program visit the Inner West Council website here.

2:00pm : Masterclass: Money 101 with Thom Smyth

3:30pm : Bite Sized Talks

4:30pm : Workshop: How to Write a Grant with Gary Paramanathan

4:30pm : Workshop: Managing Your Finances as a Freelancer with Isabel Stanfield

4:30pm : Workshop: Philanthropy with Jake Shavakin

6:15pm : Case Study Round Table: How to Write a Grant with Gary Paramanathan

6:15pm : Case Study Round Table: Managing Your Finances as a Freelancer with Isabel Stanfield

6:15pm : Case Study Round Table: Philanthropy with Jake Shavakin

What is Creative Toolbox: Learning Labs?Shaped by feedback from the 2025 Creative Toolbox Symposium, these hands-on Learning Labs tackle the skills creatives told us they want most right now. From marketing, community building and PR, to grants, philanthropy and monetising your business, each Learning Lab features expert-led masterclasses, in-depth workshops, live case study roundtables, and opportunities to connect with fellow artists and industry experts. Whether you’re just starting out, building momentum, or ready for your next chapter, there’s something here for every stage of creative practice.

Presented by Inner West Council

Location: Marrickville Pavilion, Marrickville Library

Costs:

Masterclass – Free

Workshops – $10

Round Table Sessions – $5

BOOK NOW VIA INNER WEST COUNCIL

Melbourne: The Art of Negotiation Workshop
2026-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
This is a CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS event as part of the Moonee Valley Artists Acelerate program.—

Although we’d love art to ‘speak for itself’, sometimes we need to communicate, negotiate and manage the conflict that comes with creative professionalism.

Working professionally in the arts and creative sector means communicating with a diverse range of people across an array of complicated circumstances. Any ordinary day could include managing a new professional relationship, negotiating your fees, umpiring an argument or setting better boundaries for the work. Much of the time, we have no clues or tools to help us at all!

The Art of Negotiation is a practical workshop packed with real-life activities and fun challenges to help creatives learn the basics of negotiation and conflict resolution – all in the safety of a friendly workshop space.

REGISTER NOW

You will learn the following, with a special focus on arts practice and creative industries:

+ The basic elements of effective negotiating, for any professional circumstance.+ Different negotiating styles, and how to create a ‘win-win’ scenario.+ Understanding how to minimise the idea of a ‘zero sum game’.+ Tips and tricks on better ways to say NO.+ A visual aid to assist with mapping conflicts to achieve the best resolutions for all.

Practical exercises and ‘homework’ will be provided for all the discussed strategies.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:

+ Contacts and support tools for participants who need more resources for mediation.+ Copies of leading texts covering business communication, active listening and mediation.+ A selection of reports and guides on the topic from Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation.

Plus you’ll also get…+ A practical workbook to help with elements of the workshop.+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Location: Clocktower Centre, 750 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

Cost: $10 with options for those experiencing financial hardship.

REGISTER NOW

Free Webinar: Monday Morning Meeting
2026-07-16 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Want to improve your time management skills and be a better boss to yourself? Welcome to the magic of the…

MONDAY MORNING MEETING!

It’s sounds overly simple (and a bit naff), but in this FREE webinar we’ll share more about how this practical tool can help you to make the most of your week of creative self-employment, and teach you how to manage your time, energy and capacity.

REGISTER NOW

We’ll discuss:

What the MMM is, and where it started;

Rule 1: Make an Agenda;

Rule 2: Stick to the Time;

Understanding priorities and shifting your goals;

Capacity and Self-sabotage;

An information sheet for your own MMM Agenda.

What’s Included?A 60 minute webinar with our creative industries expert (which you can access later if you want) plus lifetime access to additional resources.

Who’s it for?Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, small arts organisations, and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (international sign-ups welcome!).

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will be provided via Crowdcast. Click the link below to reserve your place.

REGISTER FOR FREE VIA CROWDCAST

New to CROWDCAST? Check out our handy ‘How to register and use Crowdcast’ Guide here.

ONLINE: LinkedIn for Creatives Workshop
2026-07-23 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Lots of creative professionals think that LinkedIn is not for them – maybe in the past, but now it’s an invitation to the world’s biggest networking event.

Although it might be at the boring end of the social media spectrum, LinkedIn is a fantastic digital marketing tool for creatives who work with (or get funding from) government organisations, peak bodies, councils, businesses and the educational sector.

LinkedIn for Creatives is a workshop that works through the step-by-step process of creating a brilliant profile and posting strategy, while sharing some of the tricks required to make it more arts-friendly. This interactive workshop is designed so professional arts practitioners can make the most of LinkedIn for their career.

BOOK NOW

Participants will be guided step-by-step through:

+ Getting the basics of a profile right, including your Headline, About and Current Position.+ The features of a brilliant photo and banner addition, and how to make them great.+ Adding extra sections, including Services, Featured, Creator and more.+ Hacking the Experience section to make it work for the gigging life of a creative practitioner.+ The Strategy for making new contacts and focussing on quality not quantity.+ Staying active and in plain sight, with strategic posting, sharing, blogging, and more.

This is a practical workshop and participants will be expected to have a basic LinkedIn profile and a laptop to work on while we work together, make connections and collaborate on ideas.

What do I get?

Participants will receive a curated selection of resources that can be used for a variety of different funding applications, including:

+ A practical Workbook to assist with the interactive elements of the workshops.+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Cost: Registration is AU$50 + GST. No Booking Fee is charged for registrations to our workshops.

This workshop will take place online and is open to anyone in Australia or internationally. You will receive a link to the workshop in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop.

BOOK NOW

Creative Brimbank: Freelancer Series - Clients, Portfolios & Communication
2026-08-01 11:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Sydney)
This is a CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS event as part of INfuse, made possible by Creative Brimbank.

Clients can sometimes be our best partners and collaborators. Building better relationships with them doesn’t just improve your overall business and boost your bottom line – it can also bring much-needed stability to a busy creative practice. But where, and how, do you start to train a client (so both parties benefit)?

If you’re an early career or aspiring freelancer, this workshop will empower you with skills and knowledge to showcase your talent and works, build relationships and communicate with clients and audiences, and understand basic legal requirements like contracts and defining scope.

Whether you’re a creative looking to freelance, or wanting to explore other freelance offerings like workshop facilitation or pet sitting, this session will set you up with foundational skills to navigate client relationships with confidence.

BOOK NOW

Participants will learn the following, with a focus on arts practice and creative industries:

+ Negotiate a new working relationship and create a contract.+ Put together a client/customer friendly workplan with deadlines and deliverables.+ Develop better communication & processes to create a genuine partnership with clients.+ Understand best ways to gather portfolio materials, testimonials and more for marketing.+ Execute a professional wrap-up that encourages client retention and repeat business.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:

+ A practical Workbook to assist with the interactive elements of the workshop.+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

What is INfuse?Creative Brimbank’s INfuse program connects the creative community in the Brimbank City Council area through workshops, artist talks and presentations, providing training and inspiration for artists.Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Location: Brimbank Community and Civic Centre.

Cost: $10 with options for those experiencing financial hardship.

BOOK NOW

Creative Randwick: Creative's Guide to Marketing Workshop
2026-08-14 10:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Sydney)
A workshop presented by Creative Plus Business for the Creative Randwick Sector Sessions program.

Many creatives struggle with how to sell their work and services, but what if marketing could be more than impersonal hustle? How about a strategic approach that focuses on people first?

Marketing is one of the most challenging aspects of running a creative business or working in the arts. Most creatives hate the ‘sell’ and would rather be making, than hustling. However, there is a simple solution to making marketing more palatable – take out the sales and focus on the strategy.

The ‘Creative’s Guide To Marketing’ is an online workshop that shares a simple six-step marketing approach that has been designed to take the pain out of promotion.

BOOK NOW

You will learn the following, with a special focus on arts practice and creative industries:

+ Re-imagining traditional marketing in a way that makes sense for creativity and the arts.+ Getting the foundational elements of “YOU” marketing right, without the terror of a deadline.+ Understating the breadth of our ‘customers’, from clients to funding bodies to audience.+ Knowing and learning from our peers, and from word-of-mouth.+ Choosing the best digital and ‘old school’ tactics to help achieve your marketing goals.

More resources and templates will also be provided to help create a marketing action plan.This workshop has been designed by creatives for creatives and includes ideas for ‘homework’.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:

+ A practical workbook to assist with the interactive elements of the workshops.+ Templates and Guides to creating a marketing plan that works for you.+ Resources to help you understand and devise marketing tactics tailored to your creative practice or business.+ Simple tools that will help you clarify how to talk about your work, it’s value, and identify your potential clients or customers.

Plus you’ll also get…+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Accessibility:

The entrance to Prince Henry Centre is through double doors accessible via steps from Pine Avenue or via a ramp from the carpark.

There is a wheelchair accessible bathroom onsite and gendered toilets.

If you would like a Council staff member to reach out to you and discuss your access requirements, please select the checkbox on ticketing registration.

Cost: Registration is FREE thanks to the City of Randwick. Visit their Humanitix page to reserve your seat.

BOOK NOW

Sector Sessions takes place on the land of the Gadigal and Bidjigal people. We pay respect to Elders past and present, recognising their strength, wisdom and creativity.

Free Webinar: The Story Trinity
2026-08-19 18:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Simple Storytelling = Effortless Marketing

The Story Trinity describes the three corners of a perfect marketing triangle – case studies, proof of portfolio, and testimonials.

Creative practitioners are often storytellers (regardless of medium), and the Story Trinity refers to a three pronged approach to marketing which can have an amazing impact on potential clients. Each element of the Trinity is a powerful marketing tool individually – when used together, they tell an incredible story about you and your creative business that can beguile potentials clients.

REGISTER FOR FREE VIA CROWDCAST

This FREE webinar will go through the elements of a Story Trinity, including:

How to write a compelling Case Study;

Tips on best Portfolio materials;

How to request a Testimonial;

Getting Permission;

Where and How to Feature the Story Trinity in your marketing;

Examples – and more!

What’s Included?A 60 minute webinar with our creative industries expert (which you can access later if you want) plus lifetime access to additional resources.

Who’s it for?Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, small arts organisations, and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (international sign-ups welcome!).

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will be provided via Crowdcast. Click the link below to reserve your place.

REGISTER FOR FREE VIA CROWDCAST

New to CROWDCAST? Check out our handy ‘How to register and use Crowdcast’ Guide here.

Ryde: Tax Time for Creatives
2026-08-26 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Register Now via Eventbrite

This workshop is presented by Creative Plus Business as part of the Pro Skills for Creatives program for the City of Ryde.

All creatives, arts organisations and small businesses need to understand how their tax rights and responsibilities work – but it’s all so boring! And where to begin?

Tax is painful but an inevitable part of surviving and thriving in the creative industries. Managing the annual and ongoing obligations of tax as a creative means getting an understanding what’s involved in the first place, getting organised, and learning about the unique position that creative professionals hold in the Australian tax landscape. It’s not fun, but a few simple tips and tricks (and a friendly face) can help. ‘Tax Time for Creatives’ is a workshop that covers the basics of how tax works for creative professionals, the intersection between individual tax and small business, and how key creative tax rulings can help creative practitioners in the tax world.

BOOK NOW

With a specific focus on the arts and creative industries, this workshop will cover:+ Understanding what basics of how tax works – jargon, income, expenses, and what to pay.+ How to calculate ‘taxable income’ and ‘assessable income’.+ The key creative tax rulings, and what they mean in practical terms. + Hobby vs Business, how to work it out, and why it matters. + The basics of tax deductions and how to figure out what you’re entitled to.+ Easy tips and tricks for getting organisation, record keeping, and cloud accounting platforms. + Where to get help – an introduction to the ‘Groovy Accountants’.

‘Tax Time for Creatives’ is a collaborative workshop and participants will be encouraged to ask questions, share experiences and ideas, make connections and foster peer relationships.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ A practical Workbook to assist with the interactive elements of the workshop.+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring, and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email the C+B team at hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Location: Ryde Library. 1 Pope St, Ryde – Wallumetta Room

Cost: $10 with options for those experiencing financial hardship.BOOK NOW

THRIVE Sydney: The Apocaloptimists!
2026-08-27 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Sydney)
REGISTER FOR FREE – CLICK HERE

Presented by Creative Plus Business with support from the City of Sydney and BrandX

AI is cramping our vibe, the economy is playing hard to get, and the news feels like a sci-fi thriller gone wrong—fun times! But rather than curling into a ball, doomscrolling, or throwing in the towel, the next THRIVE Connect event will try something radical… defiant optimism. We’re gathering Sydney’s sharpest creative minds to innovate, support each other, and rewrite the rules.

We’re celebrating The Apocaloptimists.

Apocaloptimists are the resilient creative professionals who refuse to be sidelined by uncertainty. We aren’t ignoring the challenges; we are actively transforming them into opportunities. We’re looking the future dead in the eye and saying “Okay, but how do we make this work anyway?”

Join resident Apocaloptimist Monica Davidson and three special guest speakers as they dish out real-world ideas for navigating uncertainty in Sydney’s creative industries, and share strategies for finding the silver linings in a cloudy climate.

As always, registration is completely FREE.

Come for the insights and inspirational conversation, stay for the friendly networking, complimentary nibbles, and more from THRIVE Sydney.

YOUR HOST

Monica Davidson (Creative Plus Business): Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

Sam Wade: Sam Wade is a comedian and content creator, based in old Sydney town. After selling out his debut hour ‘Inner World’ at Sydney Fringe in 2018, he has gone on to crush at the Sydney Comedy Festival with ‘Mind Cave’ in 2021 and ‘Vs The Void’ in 2022-23. He has guest starred and script consulted for hit DnD-based web series ‘1 For All’, garnering a cult following amongst its 700k-strong audience. He also has Autism, loves talking about neurodivergence, and has a laugh that has been described as “an obnoxious honk, like a goose being used as a bagpipe”. Whether on stage, on screen or just laughing in the back of a room, Sam Wade is a guaranteed goodtime.

Simone Amelia Jordan: Simone is a Gadigal-based writer, essayist, and author, recognised as Australia’s most successful hip-hop journalist. Working at the intersection of culture, identity, and social justice, she has dedicated her career to amplifying underrepresented voices and mentoring emerging multicultural talent through organisations such as Media Diversity Australia, Diversity Arts Australia, and her initiative, The Dream Collective. Her debut memoir, Tell Her She’s Dreamin’, won the Richell Prize.

With a special presentation from:

Stavroula Adameitis: Stavroula – aka Frida Las Vegas – is an Australian visual artist and designer renowned for her maximalist style remixing nostalgia, memory, glamour and humour. Her visually striking work has been showcased in major institutions, including the Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, and the Art Gallery of South Australia, and she has collaborated with global performers and brands including Katy Perry, Sam Smith, Adobe, Meta and Disney. Alongside her creative practice, Stavroula is the Artistic Director of SA Futures Agency, a member of the Guildhouse Artist Advisory Group and the recipient of the 2025 40 Under 40 ‘Creative Thinker’ award.

ABOUT THRIVE CONNECT EVENTS

These are a quarterly series of meaningful meetups that combine networking with skills development and panel discussions on key topics affecting the creative industries. Made for creative practitioners, artists, innovators, and small businesses, each event is hosted at hubs and venues across the Sydney CBD. Every meetup includes a guest speaker and theme, along with suggested conversation topics to make networking easier and connections more interesting.

Registration is FREE and every THRIVE CONNECT includes plenty of time for networking (nibbles included). Every attendee will also receive an invitation to the THRIVE Toolkit and THRIVE private LinkedIn group.

Venue: City of Sydney Creative Studios, The event will take place in L5.1 Music Studio on Level 5.

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL AND FREE – CLICK HERE

WHAT’S THRIVE?THRIVE SYDNEY is a program of events, mentoring, and online experiences designed to enhance the professional development and wellbeing of Sydney’s artists and creative community. Supported by the City of Sydney and produced by Creative Plus Business, THRIVE brings to the city four initiatives to help creative professionals and artists come together, hear from inspiring industry leaders, access free professional development opportunities, and build new creative and professional networks.

DOWNLOAD THE THRIVE GUIDE FOR FULL DETAILS

WHAT’S CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?Creative Plus Business is a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

ACCESSIBILITYIf you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com.

For full accessibility information, including transport and parking details, please visit the accessiblity page for Thrive Sydney on Humanitix.

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHYPlease note that photographs may be taken during the event by the Thrive Sydney team. If you do not wish to be photographed please let our team know upon arrival.

Want to know more about THRIVE? Visit the Thrive website here.

Creative Brimbank: Pricing for Creatives
2026-09-07 10:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Sydney)
This is a CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS event as part of INfuse, made possible by Creative Brimbank.

What should I charge? This question plagues creative practitioners and arts no matter what industry. There are answers, but they are fascinating and complicated.

Working out what to charge for creative products and services can be a colossal challenge. Where to even start? Pricing For Creatives is a practical workshop that covers the basics of figuring out the price point for creative work, including calculating costs and understanding the marketplace what to charge for creative products and services.

‘What’s Worth’ is vital for any creative struggling to understand the value of their own work, and how to share that value with others. It’s a fun and relaxed workshop that explores a variety of practical options for pricing, specifically designed for artists, makers and creatives.

BOOK NOW

With a specific focus on the arts and creative industries, this workshop covers:

+ The beginnings of the process and working out how much everything costs. + Working out the unit cost measurement, and its place in the costing process. + The value of time, and how to measure effectively.+ Choosing the right pricing method for your products and services. + Understanding how to evaluate the marketplace with the right kind of research. + The Psychology of Pricing, and how it impacts on what you can charge for your work.

‘What’s it Worth’ is a collaborative workshop and participants will be encouraged to ask questions, share experiences and ideas, make connections and foster peer relationships.

What do I get?Participants will receive a curated selection of resources to help them get the most out of the workshop, including:

+ Budget templates and a handy product and service calculator.+ Worksheets on all of the workshop activities to use during the workshop (and after).+ Project & Work Planners+ LOTS MORE

Plus you’ll also get…+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

What is INfuse?Creative Brimbank’s INfuse program connects the creative community in the Brimbank City Council area through workshops, artist talks and presentations, providing training and inspiration for artists.Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Location: This workshop will be delivered online via Zoom. A link and instructions will be sent prior to the event.

Cost: $10 with options for those experiencing financial hardship.

BOOK NOW

Penrith: The Art of Law
2026-09-17 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
This is a CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS event delivered as part of Penrith City Council’s Magnetic Places program.

Every creative needs to know the basic legal essentials to help them understand intellectual property, contracts and more, as well as the best places to go for help.

Understanding legal rights and responsibilities might not be the most interesting aspect of professional creativity, but managing the basics is essential to surviving and thriving as an artist and creator.

The Art of Law is a relaxed and friendly workshop that covers those necessary basics, that will help participants avoid most common pitfalls when making professional relationships with customers and clients. In this workshop, every question is a good question, and we’ll also share more details about where to go for help, and what resources are available to empower creatives to manage the basics of their own legal affairs.

With a specific focus on the arts and creative industries, this workshop covers:

The basics of intellectual property and why it’s important.

Who owns copyright and using the work of others.

Creating contracts to protect professional relationships.

The three essential elements of moral rights law.

Understanding the importance of confidentiality law.

Resources from the Arts Law Centre of Australia, the Copyright Council and other leading legal organisations will be shared, including links for legal assistance.

BOOK NOW

Plus you’ll also get…+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.+ Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Location: Nepean Room – Penrith City Council Civic Centre.

Cost: $10 with options for those experiencing financial hardship.

BOOK NOW

Online: Pitchface: The Creative's Guide to Pitching
2026-09-29 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Register Now

No matter your work as a creative professional, someday you’ll have to present your ideas to others, with courage and the power of persuasion. But how?

Pitching is a necessary part of creative practice, whether it’s discussing an idea for a work, talking to funding bodies about a project, or persuading a client to accept a proposal. It’s fraught with legal and marketing challenges and needs to be approached in a thoughtful and strategic way.

Pitchface is a relaxed workshop that provides practical advice on how to tell your best story while protecting your ideas, and shares simple tips and tricks to build lasting relationships with the people who can help bring your ideas to life.

Participants will learn the following, with a focus on arts practice and creative industries:

– Preparing for the Pitch – Making sure you, and your idea, are both ready for the process.– How to put an idea together in a practical, shareable form for a pitch, including assets.– How to put an idea together in a practical, shareable form for a pitch, including assets.– Tips for presenting live and in person, online and in writing.– Understanding the vulnerabilities of pitching and how to protect yourself legally.– The all-important Follow-Up, and how to make sure the pitch is just the beginning.

This is not a workshop where participants will be expected to practice their own pitch, but they are most welcome to share their own experiences and ask all the questions they like.

Register Now

What do I get?

Participants will receive a curated selection of resources that can be used for a variety of different funding applications, including:

– A practical Workbook to assist with the interactive elements of the workshops.– Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.– Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.– Information on how to access further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Cost: Registration is AU$47 incl gst. No Booking Fee is charged for registrations to our workshops.

This workshop will take place online and is open to anyone in Australia or internationally. You will receive a link to the workshop in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop.

Register Now

ADELAIDE: IGNITION SA Business Basics for Creatives at Nexus Arts
2026-10-01 09:30 - 16:30 (Australia/Adelaide)
REGISTER NOW – PAY WHAT YOU CAN

‘Business Basics for Creatives’ is a fun and practical workshop that covers all the essentials a creative needs to get the basics of small business right and avoid some of the most common pitfalls that artists can experience when entering the world of self-employment and freelancing. It also covers the legal necessities of running a professional practice and creates a safe friendly safe space where the mysteries of creative business are unravelled.

You will learn about the following: + Setting goals and making a plan for your start-up journey,+ The basics of business including ABNs, structures, business names and licences,+ The legal steps to registering your business,+ Getting ready for managing the money,+ Preparing for marketing and promotion,+ Where to go for more help.

Who is presenting?

Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

WHAT’S IGNITION SA?

IGNITION SA is a multi-year program of learning opportunities, mentoring, resources, and online experiences designed to enhance the professional development and wellbeing of South Australia’s creative professionals.

Every participant in IGNITION SA Events gets lifetime access to a dedicated Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links, practical Workbooks to assist with the interactive elements of the workshops, access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop AND the rest of the IGNITION SA program!

DOWNLOAD THE IGNITION SA PROGRAM GUIDE FOR FULL DETAILS

WHAT’S CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?

We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

REGISTER NOW

VENUE: Nexus Arts, Lion Arts Centre, 68 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, AustraliaAccessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Want to know more about IGNITION SA?

Visit the IGNITION SA webpage here, where you can also sign up to the IGNITION SA newsletter so you don’t miss the latest news and events happening in South Australia.

Download the IGNITION SA Program guide and information here.

Presented by Creative Plus Business with support from the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 – 2030.

ADELAIDE: IGNITION SA Financial Basics for Creatives at Nexus Arts
2026-10-02 09:30 - 16:30 (Australia/Adelaide)
REGISTER NOW – PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Making a living and building a business in the arts means understanding how money works, but the financial situation for creatives can be challenging. ‘Financial Basics for Creatives’ is a whole day workshop that delves into all the tricky topics including how to manage the irregularity of work, what to charge, how to diversify a creative income, and where to go for more help with insurance, tax and superannuation.

You will learn about the following:

+ Introduction to the ‘Famine and the Feast’, and understanding how to weather the natural ups and downs of creative income.+ Ways to make better financial decisions by using the cost-benefits analysis tool.+ Learning the basics of budgets and cash flow projection to help navigate financial irregularity.+ The essential paperwork, including managing invoices and receipts.+ Practical steps to getting financially organised, including the best cloud accounting tools.+ More resources and places to go for help.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

WHAT’S IGNITION SA?IGNITION SA is a new program of learning opportunities, mentoring, resources, and online experiences designed to enhance the professional development and wellbeing of South Australia’s creative professionals.

Every participant in IGNITION SA Events gets lifetime access to a dedicated Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links, practical Workbooks to assist with the interactive elements of the workshops, access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop AND the rest of the IGNITION SA program!

DOWNLOAD THE IGNITION SA PROGRAM GUIDE FOR FULL DETAILS

WHAT’S CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

REGISTER NOW

VENUE: Nexus Arts, Lion Arts Centre, 68 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, AustraliaAccessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Want to know more about IGNITION SA?

Visit the IGNITION SA webpage here, where you can also sign up to the IGNITION SA newsletter so you don’t miss the latest news and events happening in South Australia.

Download the IGNITION SA Program guide and information here.

Presented by Creative Plus Business with support from the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 – 2030.
