South Side Festival 2026 Artist Commissions

Frankston City Council (FCC) is seeking expressions of interest from creatives for artistic works to be presented within the South Side Festival (SSF) period. We encourage creatives across all artistic mediums, platforms and career stages to apply, there are no creative restraints or parameters so let your imagination run wild!

2026 will be the fifth year of this dynamic series of events and we are so excited to start programming it.

South Side Festival 2026 dates: Friday 8 May to Sunday 17 May 2026

Frankston City Council Funding amount for this EOI category: Up to $5,000.00 AUD (plus GST if applicable)

The Artistic Commissions to be granted from a pool of $20,000.00 AUD. The maximum amount that can by applied for is $5,000.00 AUD (plus GST if applicable).

Funding to be provided in two stages: 50% on signing of the agreement and 50% post-delivery of the project/event and acquittal.

The EOIs are assessed and selected by a council appointed sub-committee of the Frankston Arts Advisory Committee and panel.

Key festival objectives

• showcase and connect local creatives, artists and businesses
• demonstrate artistic integrity, uniqueness and innovation in creative output
• accessibility and inclusion
• foster cultural tourism and attract visitors from outside the municipality
• empower and develop the communities capacity to deliver their own content and contribute to the South Side Festival program
• generate regional and state media coverage that attracts broad audiences
• increases the value, perception and pride of Frankston City

Key dates:

7 July 2025: EOIs open 6am   

11 August 2025: EOIs close midnight

Successful applicants will be notified by mid-September 2025.

Please note, applicants can apply for either Frankston City Council's Artist Project Grants or the South Side Festival Artist Commissions – not both in the same financial year. 

• Eligibility for funding does not guarantee an application will be granted. Council has full discretion on funding decisions and these are final
• Allocation of funds to an applicant for any purpose in any year must not be taken as a commitment by Council for funding in a subsequent year
• Only one application per financial year, per applicant, per EOI round will be accepted
• If you have or are going to apply for the 2026 FAC artist grant you are ineligible for South Side Festival's artist commissions.  
• Each application will be considered on its own merits
• Retrospective funding is not available
• Council’s contribution will be limited to the amount of the commission. All other costs associated with the proposed project / activity will be covered by the applicant
• Council reserves the right to publicise any aspect of activity associated with its funded programming. Recipients must assist Council with publicity, as required
• Successful applicants will be expected to invoice Council, spend and acquit their funding by 30 June of that same financial year
• Successful applicants who receive funding must provide accountability, acquit back to Council and share the story of their experience via the online Accountability form
• Funding is not available for applicants who have not previously complied with commission conditions (including unable to properly account for prior funds; have not spent funds for the agreed purpose; or have not returned a detailed accountability form for previous years’ grants)
• Funding is not available for staff members, their immediate family member, Councillors or contractors to Frankston City Council
• Funding is not available for commercial or profit making organisations; political parties or political events
• Applicants who are currently supported by Frankston City Council through a funding program for the same concept and/or activity are not eligible. Funds must be acquitted on the activity for which they were allocated (unless otherwise authorised in writing by the Committee).
• Comply with all relevant child safety legislation which may include, but is not limited to, The Victorian Child Safe Standards (2022) and The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act (2005). Council may request evidence of compliance. If you are unsure about your responsibilities in relation the Victorian Child Safe Standards visit https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/ (open in a seperate tab). If you would like further information about Council’s approach to child safety please email childsafe@frankston.vic.gov.au
• Commissions will be cancelled and requested to be returned if the Committee have made an allocation with:
  • False or misleading information, as provided by the applicant;
  • The applicant withdraws from the activity;
  • Is not undertaking the activity as applied; and, or
  • The activity has been cancelled. Unspent monies must be returned to Council.