The Australia Council for the Arts has restructured their grant program for 2015 to just five grant categories, which is the biggest change in 40 years for the council, effective in March. A new Grant Enquiry Line phone number has been initiated, and now approx. 600 peers will be assessing which will be refreshed annually . The five categories will take a standardized approach across all performing areas, which is down from 153 categories.
The five categories include:
Development grants for individuals and groups $5,000-$25,000
Funding for a range of activities that benefit the career for an individual arts worker or group. Up to 2 years.
Criteria assessed:
Potential of the artists, viability, impact on career
Eg) mentorships, scoping new markets, working with someone who will develop your practice as a songwriter, producer.
Arts project grants for individuals and groups $10,000-$50,000
Arts project grants for organisations $10,000 – $150,000
Funding for a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public including national and international audiences.
Criteria assessed:
Artists merit, viability, creation, audiences, access and participation
Eg) Suitable for labels and festivals
Fellowships
Multi year commitment $50,000 a year for two years – very competitive – middle career artists. Eg) Artists who want to step back and refresh their practice and release new work.
Six year funding for Arts Organisations (key organization funding)
Fnding for arts organisations of significant regional, national and international standing.
Criteria assessed:
Artistic merit, organisational capacity, contribution to strategic goals of Australia Council.
Australia Council used to have a closing date every three days, but now there will be four standard grant closing dates per year. Round 1 closing dates will be in March, Round 2 in June, Round 3 in September and Round 4 in December.
Eligibility criteria has also been streamlined. Applicants can choose which peer panel they want to assess their applications, which can now include multi-art forms.
Projects can also now be extended – and projects can choose how many years they want to be funded for, with a maximum of three years . You can apply four times a year. You can apply four times in one round (not recommended, but you could). Australia Council are also going to be placing more importance of pre-application advice , and aim to get application results delivered by 12 weeks.
Equipment purchase is also now eligible. They are also currently working on a quick response solution around touring and showcasing.
New Enquiry Team:
02 9215 9000
Toll free 1800 226 912
Fore more detailed information regarding 2015 Australia Council for the Arts funding, head to 2015.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/
