PORT STEPHENS: Creative’s Guide to Funding
September 23 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This is a CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS event in partnership with Port Stephens Council.
A workshop dedicated to the basics of how to write, manage and maintain funding.
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’. ‘Creative’s Guide to Funding’ 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!
In this FREE workshop participants will learn about the following, with a focus on arts practice and creative industries:
+ The different kinds of funding available.
+ 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.
Resources, examples and templates will also be provided for a variety of applications.
What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:
+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources.
+ Downloadable templates and project plans to support all kinds of funding applications
+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.
+ The possibility of further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors. We have a whole team ready to help!
Join us for a creative business day!
We encourage you to book for both workshops and meet fellow creatives.
Please book for the workshops separately through Business Connect.
+ 11:00am ‘Creative’s Guide to Marketing’ workshop (book here)
+ 1:00pm Break time and network with fellow creatives
+ 2:00pm ‘Creative’s Guide to Funding’ workshop
Who’s the Host?
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 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 queries or any access requirements, please email education@creativeplusbusiness.com
VENUE: Port Stephens Council Administration Building, 116 Adelaide St, Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens.
What is Service NSW Business Connect?
Service NSW Business Connect provides free, independent, tailored business advice from experienced advisors in one‑on‑one sessions. We offer practical insights and business skills development. Services also include events and resources on a range of topics for small business.
Creative Plus Business is an approved independent provider for Service NSW Business Connect until 30 September 2025.