For Baw Baw Shire Creatives

We’re so glad to have you as a creative in Baw Baw Shire!

You’re encouraged to join Council’s Creatives Mailing List to be notified of the latest opportunities for creatives in our local area. This includes when expressions of interest open for the annual exhibitions program at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, when local grants are available, when creative projects are being commissioned, and a variety of workshops for creatives of all types.

Grants & Fundraising

If you are new to applying for grants or just need a refresher, you may like to read this Grant Terminology Explainer.

All grants have different eligibility criteria, and these requirements can change from year to year. Always check if you meet the eligibility criteria before applying.

Council Grants

Baw Baw Shire Council provides creatives with two Council-funded grant opportunities:

External Grants

If you are applying for a grant outside of Baw Baw Shire Council, then Council may be able to assist your grant application by providing a ‘Letter of Support’. If you are requesting this, please make sure that you provide us with plenty of notice.

Some external funding opportunities include:

Additional external grant opportunities can be searched for and found via the Baw Baw Grant Finder.

Auspicious Arts may also be able to help you auspice a project for grant funding purposes.

Fundraising

You may like to consider setting up a fundraising page via the Australian Cultural Fund.

Venues & Locations

Finding a Venue/Location

Consider the following options for your project or event.

  • Bookable allows you to book a variety of Council-owned spaces.
  • The West Gippsland Arts Centre has a fabulous theatre and function rooms. Please note that we are unable to provide these spaces for free (although you may be able to use grant funding towards them).
  • Myli (public libraries) may be an appropriate setting for some events – please ensure you contact them to see if your project/event would be a good fit.
  • Consult the West Gippsland Official Visitor Guide for more places to go and things to do.

Events on Council Land

If you wish to hold an event on Council land, roads, or property, you will need to keep to the Terms and Conditions, submit an Event Application form, and obtain Council’s written approval.

Events on Private or Crown Land

For events held on private or Crown land, you won’t need to submit an Event Application to Council. However, you may still need other permits from Council, such as an Occupancy Permit for a Place of Public Entertainment, or a Planning Permit. See “Permits” below for more information.

You will also need permission from the owner of the land to proceed with your event (e.g. the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) or Parks Victoria).

If your event involves any roads managed by the Transport Victoria (VicRoads), they will need to provide their approval as well.

Copyright, Insurance, & Permits

Copyright

If your art involves recreating or sharing someone else’s work, you generally need a license to do so, or permission from the copyright owner. See more information About Copyright.

If you’re wanting to play or perform someone else’s music, you can do this legally through APRA AMCOS.

If you’re wanting to reproduce or share someone else’s visual art, writing, or poetry, check out the Copyright Agency.

Public Liability Insurance

If you’re hosting a public event, doing a public performance, making art in public, or selling something in public (including as a market stallholder), you will need to covered by public liability insurance.

Regional Arts Victoria is one supplier of public liability insurance and offers it at a reasonable annual price.

In some circumstances, Council can also offer one-time cover to individual creatives under our Community Liability Pack. This service may apply to uninsured presenters, performers, stallholders, artists, buskers, and street stallholders, and is designed to support their participation in events that occur on land that is owned or managed by Council. To enquire about this, please contact events@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au

Permits

You will need a permit if your event includes any of the following:

  • Temporary structures (e.g. stages, marquees or jumping castles)
  • External contractors (excluding wedding celebrants)
  • Amplified music
  • Alcohol consumption

Depending on your event or its location, you may also need other permits from Council, such as an Occupancy Permit for a Place of Public Entertainment, or a Planning Permit.

For a full list of activities that require a permit, you can review Council’s Community Local Law document.

If you would like advice on whether your event requires a permit, please contact Council’s Compliance Team on 5624 2411.

Commercial Filming

You will probably need Council’s approval for any commercial filming in the Baw Baw Shire area. Read Filming Requests for more information.

Promotion & Resources

Promotion Opportunities

There are several promotional avenues specifically available for Baw Baw Shire and Gippsland-based creatives. You can:

Event Equipment

Council’s Events Trailer and other useful resources are available for hire by not-for-profit organisations in Baw Baw Shire. See Event Equipment for further details.

Event Planning Guide

Council’s Event Planning Guide is a fantastic resource to consult when planning local events.

Your Creative Business

Check out Council’s resources for businesses here: Your Business

Note: if you’re thinking about starting your own business as an individual creative practitioner, consider whether you need to Become a sole trader.

Get Involved

Looking to network or get involved in a local creative group, event, or project?

Check out our Local Directory and try:

  • Filtering by Category --> Community --> Arts and Culture
  • Searching for specific terms like ‘photography’, ‘music’ or ‘theatre’

You may also like to investigate our many local Markets.

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