New grants to energise local streets and spaces
Published on 12 December 2025
The latest round of Council’s events and activation grants has been announced, with a series of new initiatives set to enliven neighbourhoods across the City of Maribyrnong in 2026.
This round supports a diverse collection of not-for-profits, creative practitioners and local businesses through 15 grants totalling $115,500, with each grant offering up to $10,000 to deliver activities scheduled between February and June. Together, these projects will play a key role in strengthening the City’s cultural vibrancy, night-time economy and community connection.
Among the recipients is CineRedux: Footscray Reimagined, a community-centred film and media project centred around the historic Trocadero Arcade and Five Walls Gallery in Footscray. The program will showcase immersive art, projections and live performances, as well as guided walking tours exploring Footscray’s heritage theatres and it’s rich history.
Also funded was Cypher Culture, a local not-for -profit street dance organisation, who will present Double Trouble Vol. 3, a free, dance and hip-hop event celebrating women and west-based artists in the breaking community. The event will take place in Maddern Square, Footscray on Saturday 28 March.
The Yarraville Twilight Sessions will bring six evenings of live, outdoor music, to the Yarraville Village precinct from February to June. Featuring a diverse mix of established and emerging performers, the series aims to transform public spaces and draw locals and visitors together, energising the area’s nighttime economy.
In addition, a River-Listening Symposium will take place along the Maribyrnong River and at Pipemakers Park in early June, offering an immersive program exploring local ecology, cultural knowledge and shared listening practices.
Established under the Maribyrnong Festivals and Activation Framework 2022–26, Council’s Love Your West Grants Program aims to support activations that celebrate place, foster creativity and stimulate economic activity. The Place-Based Initiatives stream focuses on imaginative uses of public space and neighbourhood precincts, while the Night-Time Diversification stream strengthens Maribyrnong’s appeal as a thriving and welcoming night-time destination.
Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra said, “These grants enable our community’s creativity to shine, supporting projects that showcase the spirit, diversity and vibrancy of Maribyrnong. We’re pleased to back initiatives that encourage people to gather, explore and enjoy our City in new ways.”
For further details about funded activities, please visit:
Maribyrnong News
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