Carclew’s Capacity Building Grants
Investing in stronger futures for youth arts organisations.
Carclew’s Organisation Capacity Building Grants support small to medium sized youth arts organisations across South Australia to strengthen the systems, leadership and partnerships that create long-term sustainability.
Rather than funding one-off projects, these grants invest in what will make your organisation stronger, more resilient and better equipped for the future – from governance and workforce development to youth leadership, partnerships, organisational systems and pathways for young people.
With up to $20,000 available, this opportunity is designed for newly established organisations or those entering a defined period of development or transition, where capacity investment can unlock lasting change.
Small organisations with an annual revenue under $500,000 or medium organisations with annual revenue of $500,000 or more, but under $3 million are eligible to apply.
Download the detailed Eligibility and Assessment Criteria here.
Key Dates
Applications open Thursday, 16th April 2026
Applications close 11:59pm (ACST) Sunday,17th May 2026
Notification of outcome June 2026.
Projects to commence after 1st July 2026.
For further information
General enquiries: Joel Byrne, Funding Programs Manager – jbyrne@carclew.org.au
First Nations peer support: Thomas Readett, First Nations Program Manager – treadett@carclew.org.au
Consultations
Whether you have a draft application or would like to talk through an idea, we encourage you to consult with Carclew staff prior to submitting your application. Consultations can help with turning your concept/project ideas into an appealing application as well as provide a range of submission options.
Successful Grant Recipients - 2023
Jazz SA Inc | Capacity Building | Develop a 3–5 Year Strategic Plan | $9,500.00
Successful Grant Recipients – 2022
D’Faces | Future Strategic Plan Building | $6,182
Developing D’Faces next strategic plan, by a highly planned system of consultations and surveying to better meet the needs of their stakeholders as they progress into the future.
Lolly Jar Circus | Capacity Building | $9,942
Upskilling the CEO and training courses.
Successful Grant Recipients – 2020
South Australian Youth Arts Theatre Co (SAYarts) | Marketing and digital strategy | $10,000
Development of a comprehensive marketing strategy including digital and web redesign. Ability to identify new target audiences, grow website traffic, better manage social media, secure new students, improve communication, and strengthen position in the sector.
Restless Dance Theatre | Attendance at a series of national and international market development opportunities | $10,000
Restless Dance Theatre staff will attend crucial arts markets including APAM at AsiaTOPA (Melbourne), Perth Festival, APACA (Australian Performing Arts Centres Association)/PAX (Performing Arts Exchange), Tanzmesse (Dusseldorf, Germany), and CINARS (Montreal, Canada).
Successful Grant Recipients - 2018
D’Faces of Youth Arts Inc.| funded $6,000
For the development of D’faces new strategic plan.
Act Now Theatre | funded $10,000
Capacity building and scoping for the delivery of nationally accredited training courses.
Ink Pots Arts Inc. | funded $10,000
To engage a professional grant writer and build skills of staff, Board and volunteers.
SA Circus Centre – Home of Cirkidz | $10,000
To provide social circus staff training through a skills development and business transformation project.
Restless Dance Theatre | $10,000
To allow Restless staff to attend a series of national and international market development opportunities and to showcase a presentation at the Australian Performing Arts Market conference in Brisbane in February 2018.
Riverland Youth Theatre Inc. | $9,052
Professional development suite for the Artistic Director and General Manager.
AJZ Productions | $6,000
To provide a mentorship for the Creative Producer in funding and education.
Banner image: Ink Pot Arts’ Smart at School from Unravelled by Sally Hardy (2017). Photo by Kirstie Aylett.
Successful Grant Recipients - 2019
ActNow Theatre | funded $10,000
Professional development suite of activities for General Manager (GM), Artistic Director (AD) and Development and Communications Manager (DCM) to build organisational capacity in fundraising, sponsorship and philanthropy.
Riverland Youth Theatre | funded $10,000
To support a new administrative role within the company, freeing up the rest of the team to focus on developing the company’s creative programs.
Banner image: Ink Pot Arts – Unravelled 2017 by Sally Hardy, Photo by Kirsty Aylett