Build Your Creative Edge: Full-Day Professional Development for Artists

Prople dressed in bright colours writing on colourful sticky notes

Join artists and creatives from across the southeast for a dynamic, full-day intensive designed to strengthen your creative practice and supercharge your funding submissions.

Presented in partnership by City of Greater Dandenong, Monash Council, Kingston Arts and Casey Arts, this hands-on program will help you turn ideas into well-defined, fundable projects.

What you’ll explore:

Unpack Your Practice – articulate what makes your creative voice distinct.
What’s in Orbit? – shape the purpose and structure of your project through practical exercises.
Why It Matters – define your impact and position your work within the bigger picture.
Budget and Planning – tackle the practicalities: budgets, timelines, and support material.
Risk and Reward – demystify AI and learn how to use it wisely in your creative process.
Resources & Ideas – map out funding pathways and build your project toolkit.

This program will build your confidence in talking about your work, aligning it with strategic priorities, writing clear and compelling proposals, and navigating the funding landscape.

About the facilitator

Led by industry leader Gareth Hart, a seasoned consultant, festival director and arts strategist. Gareth brings deep sector knowledge, clarity and ambition to every room—helping creatives imagine bold futures, ground their work in community, and drive meaningful impact.

Please note lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.