Minus18 has launched a “Creators Fund” to elevate the voices, and to support, trans, gender diverse, and non-binary creators. And we’re absolutely delighted to be able to launch this initiative in the lead-up to Trans Awareness Week.

What is this "Creators Fund"?

Minus18 has launched a “Creators Fund” to elevate the voices of, and support, trans, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGDNB) creators – with the support of our first program sponsor, UNSW.

Put simply, we’re committed to amplifying, and funding the work of young TGDNB creatives and leaders.

This initiative is part of Minus18’s strategic commitment to championing TGDNB inclusion, as well as a commitment to elevating LGBTQIA+ young people. The TGDNB Creators Fund empowers young creatives to take their practice and their careers to the next level by providing them with two of the most important resources around – which also happen to often be the most difficult to find and establish early in one’s career: funding and amplification.

How will it work?

Throughout the year, Minus18 will have opportunities for creatives starting out in their career to collaborate with various teams within our organisation, and across a number of projects. For instance, performers to take the stage at youth events (like Queer Formal), designers and photographers needed to create content for a campaign (like Trans Awareness Week), or writers needed to create digital resources. Or something completely different!

The Creators Fund has been set up to ensure we provide emerging creators at the start of their careers who come to work alongside our team equitably, and provide the amplification of their work and skills that they so rightly deserve via our channels and audience.

Who is this open to?

The fund is open to TGDNB individuals aged 18-25 from across Australia. That is, individuals who identify as trans, gender diverse, or non-binary.

You could be working in any of the following creative spaces, but certainly not limited to:

• Writers, bloggers or storytellers
• Illustrators and designers
• Performers and speakers
• Photographers, videographers and content creators

This is a creators fund for individuals aged 18 to 25, so you could be established in your career, or just starting out. Wherever you are in your creative journey and in your career, we’d love to hear from you.

What about the application process?

This Creators Fund has $5,000 AUD available for 10 trans, gender diverse, and non-binary young creators.

After this first round of applications closes (26 November 2021), participants will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Applicants must be Trans, Gender Diverse or Non-Binary, and aged between 18 and 25
• Location appropriate (eg. located in New South Wales if performing at Sydney Queer Formal)
• Prioritising intersectionality and lived experience
• Emerging creators
• Creatives which we can support meaningfully

The selection period will span 29 November to 3 December 2021, after which point team Minus18 will contact all applicants to provide an update. This will include successful applicants (although we note that future opportunities may arise for "unsuccessful" applicants in 2022).

Successful applicants will then work collaboratively with Minus18 (in particular the team overseeing the project or campaign they'll be contributing to / collaborating on) to deliver the creative output / end product. Each will take a slightly different form, but since it's Minus18 – you can expect support, mentoring, and loads of amplification of your work ongoing also.

How do I apply?

To coincide with the launch of this Creators Fund, Minus18 has a number of projects and opportunities for which creators can register an expression of interest. This first round of EOIs launches in November 2021, and includes projects / opportunities spanning November 2021 to March 2022:

• Performers for Adelaide Queer Formal
• Performers for Sydney Queer Formal
• Designers, illustrators and creatives for Trans Day of Visibility
• Photographers (for campaigns, including Trans Awareness Week)

Applications close 11.59pm, 26 November 2021.

In order to apply and register your interest, please fill out the following form:

Register your interest as a creator

When will the next opportunities open?

These current opportunities are just the beginning! Minus18’s calendar is filled with events, projects, campaigns, and creative initiatives – so keep your eyes peeled here and on our social media channels in early 2022 for the next round of opportunities for young TGDNB creatives.

Minus18 would like to thank our first TGDNB Creators Fund sponsor, UNSW – who also proudly supported the Minus18 Queer Formal during the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2020 – for their wonderful and ongoing support.