CREATIVE ENGINE AT GEELONG ARTS CENTRE

Applications are now open for Geelong Arts Centre’s industry leading Creative Engine program, returning in a new format as Launchpad 2.0. 
Building on a significant year of artist support in 2025, the refreshed program responds to artist feedback, streamlining smaller grant rounds into one richer, year-round funding and 
mentoring opportunity, supporting up to eight performance-based artists and replacing all previous grant rounds. From theatre, scriptwriting to dance, music, digital and community-based practices, artists from diverse communities across all live performance mediums from Geelong or with a strong connection to the region are encouraged to apply.

Launchpad 2.0 for 2026 close at 5pm on Sunday 5 October. 
As a part of Launchpad 2.0, selected artists will share in an impressive pool of $214,000 including cash and in-kind benefits that include $8,000 in cash support across 12 months and
more than $18,000 of in-kind rehearsal studio time, theatre access and mentorship support for each artist. 

These essential benefits provide artists with the time and resources to develop and refine original ideas - from early exploration right through to presentation. 

Throughout the year, successful recipients will develop a new work across three stages of creative development, alongside mentorship and a tailored series of workshops, culminating in 
a work-in-progress presentation to Geelong audiences and beyond.

First Nations artists and artists from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and additional supports are available. 

Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine program has been expanded and enhanced through the support of The Ian Potter Foundation, offering a range of new initiatives tailored to the
needs of developing artists in the region. 

Quote attributable to CEO and Creative Director, Geelong Arts Centre Rhys Holden 
“Geelong is home to a talented and diverse local network of artists and makers, and the Geelong Arts Centre is dedicated to fostering this vibrant regional talent pipeline. The 
Launchpad 2.0 funding model will combine four smaller grant rounds into one annual program, which will give artists the resources and longer term support to help them soar.”

Quotes attributable to Arts Senior Program Manager, The Ian Potter Foundation, Louise Joel 
“The Ian Potter Foundation is pleased to support the Geelong Arts Centre in providing programs that connect artists in that region to the Centre and, in turn, engage audiences 
across the wider Geelong area.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS 
CREATIVE ENGINE’S LAUNCHPAD 2.0 
Guiding original works from early development to presentation
Taking place over 12 months, Launchpad 2.0 follows a structured project roadmap that includes three stages of creative development, ongoing coaching, and targeted workshops:
• 8 x $8,000 grants, provided over three development periods over 12 months
• Studio access during all three development periods (up to 6 days per period) 
• Access to The Open House for development showing (Oct)
• Four professional and creative skills workshops
• Coaching sessions with Geelong Arts Centre’s Associate Artists, Keziah Warner and Bron Batten
• Artist development support and guidance from the Geelong Arts Centre’s programming team 
• Access to co-working and meeting spaces

Applications Open: Monday 8 September 2025
Applications Close: 5pm, Sunday 5 October 2025
Visit: geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine
 

Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Artistic Partner, The Ian Potter Foundation, Deakin University, and Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management.
 

About Creative Engine
Launched in 2019, Creative Engine is Geelong Arts Centre’s commitment towards nurturing the creative landscape of Geelong, Victoria and beyond.
Since launching Creative Engine, Geelong Arts Centre has invested in 963 Victorian artists, developed 133 projects, delivered 82 grants, 34 professional development initiatives and 9 
co-commissions.

The support provided for Victorian artists through Creative Engine covers funding, development and commissions as well as venue hire, staff and equipment costs to the value of $1.2 Million.

About The Ian Potter Foundation
The Ian Potter Foundation is one of Australia’s major philanthropic foundations. The Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors including the arts, medical research, public health research, early childhood development, community wellbeing and environmental 
science. The Ian Potter Foundation aims to support and promote a fair, healthy, sustainable and vibrant Australia.

About Geelong Arts Centre 
Geelong Arts Centre curates, supports and presents a diverse range of music, theatre, comedy and dance performances, as well workshops, developments, community experiences 
and free public activations. Our work seeks to welcome every person in our community to engage, learn and express their creativity, making art a universal experience. 
Geelong Arts Centre is the cultural heartbeat of Victoria’s second-largest city. Established in 1981 as a Victorian Government statutory agency, we have evolved into Australia’s largest 
dedicated regional performing arts complex.

A landmark $140 million redevelopment, completed in August 2023, quadrupled public space, installed world-class staging, lighting and acoustic systems, and created fully accessible foyers that link the historic Ryrie Street building with a striking new Little Malop Street façade designed in consultation with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. 
 

The campus now comprises four distinct performance venues supported by rehearsal studios, exhibition foyers and meeting and event spaces. The Play House (867 seats) remains the Centre’s largest proscenium theatre. The Story House is a new, flexible venue opened for contemporary works, touring productions and standing gigs. The Open House (250 seats) is an intimate industrial-style studio suited to cabaret, fringe theatre and live music, with folding doors to an outdoor plaza for markets and other events. Costa Hall (1,421 seats) on Geelong’s 
waterfront hosts orchestral concerts, major bands and university graduations. Additional creative spaces include purpose-built rehearsal rooms, creative workspaces, and a range of 
hospitality areas including Tutti our in-house café and restaurant which serves both the public and our audiences pre-show. 
 

Geelong Arts Centre curates a year-round season that pairs national and international touring productions with locally produced work. The Centre also commissions and co-produces work with producers from across the country. 
 

Core strands span mainstage theatre, contemporary dance, classical and popular music, children’s and family programming, First Nations storytelling and multidisciplinary festivals. A 
large number of community events perform annually including schools, community ensembles alongside commercial promoters and touring artists. 

Geelong Arts Centre is supported by a strong and growing philanthropic and corporate community who champion our work for and by the community. Community engagement and 
lifelong learning are embedded in our Creative Learning program which partners with educators from kindergarten to Year 12, offering curriculum-aligned performances, artist workshops and teacher resources. Creative Engine, the Centre’s industry-development hub, allocates seed funding, rehearsal space, mentoring and networking to emerging artists, sustaining a vibrant regional talent pipeline. Access programs - Auslan-interpreted shows, relaxed performances, sensory-friendly matinees and ticket subsidies—ensure that people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds feel welcome.