Funding

The Australia Council for The Arts

Information about Australia Council’s new funding model and how to apply can be found here

RESILIENCE FUND

The Australia Council has announced a Resilience Fund of approximately $5M for artists and arts organisations to support their livelihoods, practice and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEO Adrian Collette AM said this new measure within the Council’s existing budget is essential during this critical period when the cultural and creative sectors are experiencing immediate and enormous challenges due to the impact of the virus.

The Resilience Fund has been created to provide immediate relief to Australian artists, arts workers and arts organisations and support their livelihoods, practice and operations.

The 2020 Resilience Fund includes three streams:

• Survive – small grants for individuals, groups and organisations to offset or recoup financial losses due to cancelled activity.
• Adapt – grants for individuals, groups and organisations to adapt their practice and explore new operating models.
• Create – grants for individuals, groups and organisations to continue to create artistic work and develop creative responses in a time of disruption.

Organisations that currently receive multi-year funding from the Australia Council are not eligible to apply. This includes National Performing Arts Partnership organisations, Four Year Funded organisations, and organisations funded under the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy.

Applications for the Resilience Fund quick response opportunities open on Friday 3 April 2020.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

If you are an individual artist, arts worker or group of artists, this grant can provide support to further develop your skills or improve your capacity to build an enduring career. Grants are available from $5,000 to $25,000.

This grant program is currently suspended.

ARTS PROJECTS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

Our arts projects program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences:

This grant program is currently suspended.

ARTS PROJECTS – ORGANISATIONS

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Only organisations are eligible to apply. Grants are available from $10,000 to $100,000.

This grant program is currently suspended.

AUSTRADE

Export Market Development Grants

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industries.

The EMDG scheme:

• encourages small- and medium-sized Australian businesses to develop export markets
• reimburses up to 50 per cent of eligible export promotion expenses above $5,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $15,000
• provides up to eight grants to each eligible applicant.

See EMDG at a glance (PDF) for an overview of the scheme.

What is a grant year?

A grant year is the financial year (July to June) in which the dates of the expenses being claimed actually occurred.

Expenses incurred in a grant year must be claimed as part of the EMDG application submitted in the financial year immediately following (except your first application, which can include expenses from the two financial years immediately before the application).

DFAT

Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program

The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP) supports the delivery of high-quality public diplomacy initiatives which promote our economic, artistic, and cultural assets to an international audience. These initiatives strengthen Australia’s reputation as an innovative, creative nation and foster collaborative people-to-people links internationally.

The 2020 Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP): Bushfire Renewal Round will focus on supporting the building, rebuilding and promotion of the creative industries in bushfire-affected areas of Australia.

The ACDGP: Bushfire Renewal Round opened for applications on 10 February 2020. Due to travel and other restrictions related to COVID-19 which may impact on proposed projects delivery timeframes, the deadline for applications has been changed. The new submission deadline is 2pm (AEST) on 18 June 2020. This will allow applicants time to make adjustments to project proposals.

Applications must be submitted using SmartyGrants.

For more information please read the 2020 Guidelines: Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program or email Cultural.Diplomacy@dfat.gov.au.

Foundations, Councils & Institutes

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, DFAT Foundations, Councils and Institutes have postponed their 2020-21 International Relations Grant Program (IRGP) round. They are now exploring options for activities that are achievable in the current context. Information on future opportunities will be published on the relevant FCI web page.

artsACT

HOMEFRONT

The ACT Government recognises the immediate support needed for Canberra artists who have lost their income and ability to maintain their arts practice as a result of COVID-19.

As part of a whole of Government response to the impacts of COVID-19, funding of up to $10,000 per artist will be available for Canberra artists to support arts development and the sustainability of their arts practices over the next 6-9 months.

This is across all artforms including screen artists. This includes research and development, making of new works or sharing of works via online platforms, and artists fees and living expenses to undertake arts activities. Artists may also apply for the creation and development of works to be exhibited or performed in public venues in the future, when it becomes safe to undertake these activities.

A total of $500,000 will be available. Applicants will need to provide:

• a statement outlining how the funding will support their arts development and practice;
• a brief bio; and
• a current CV.

Arts Development Supports:

• new and exciting ideas
• artists to develop their skills and practice.

Arts Participation and Access Engages the community:

• as active participants in artistic skills development
• in inclusive and accessible arts activities that reflect the diversity of the community.

Arts Opportunities Assists:

• artists and organisations to reach new audiences and markets
• artists and organisations to connect nationally and internationally including through residencies and cultural exchange
• work to be showcased to national and international audiences.

ARTS ACTIVITY FUNDING

Arts Activities Funding is available through two categories:

• Up to $5k Funding: is open all year round.
• $5-50k Funding: two rounds per year. The next round opens 1 December 2019 and will close 28 February 2020 with announcements made by 30 May for activities to commence from 1 July.

The Government has committed to $775,000 being available for Arts Activities across the two categories. At least $175,000 will be available for the Up to $5k category over the calendar year, and at least $600,000 will be available for the two $5-50k rounds .

Up to $5k for smaller projects, available all year round.

• Requests can be from $500 to $5,000.
• Applications can be made at any time but must be submitted at least six weeks before the activity start date.
• Applications are assessed by artsACT staff. External peers may be consulted if required.
• Applicants can only receive funding in this category once each calendar year, except in exceptional circumstances.
• Applicants may also apply to the $5-50k category

$5-50k for larger projects, available twice a year.

• Requests can be from over $5,000 to $50,000.
• There will be two rounds each year with set opening, closing and announcement dates.
  • Round One opens annually on 1 June and closes 31 July with announcements made by 31 October for activities to commence from 1 December.
  • Round Two opens annually on 1 December and closes 28 February with announcements made by 30 May for activities to commence from 1 July.
• Applications are peer assessed.
• Applicants can only receive funding in this category once each calendar year.
• Applicants may also apply to the Up to $5k category.

How to Apply

Applications to both categories must be submitted via the online artsACT grants portal.

Create NSW

Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program 2019/20 provides funding opportunities for arts and cultural organisations, professional artists and arts/cultural workers across a wide range of artforms and disciplines.

Application processes

To make it simpler and easier to apply, we’ve consolidated 14 individual project funding rounds into two open rounds per year which includes Project, Creative Koori Projects and Annual Organisation funding.

Funding limits for these categories have been removed, which means an increase to the amounts applicants can apply for.

We have also introduced fixed application timelines, with clear notification dates. That way, applicants will know at the time of applying when they will receive funding results.

PROJECT FUNDING

Project funding supports excellence, innovation and creativity within the NSW arts and cultural sector. It aims to deliver a dynamic and diverse range of arts and cultural experiences to communities across NSW, contribute to the development of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector, and support the employment and development of professional NSW-based artists and arts and cultural workers.

Funding is available for a wide range of arts and cultural activity, including:

• creation of new work, practice-based research or experimentation and professional development
• production, exhibition, presenting, publishing or recording, touring and festivals
• promotion and marketing, market and/or audience development activity
• conservation and/or development of collections and archives (including Aboriginal Keeping Places and the digitisation of collections)
• purchase of capital infrastructure and equipment
• partnerships, capacity building and sustainability.

How much funding is available?

There is no upper limit to the amount of funding you may request.

However, to be competitive, you must provide a level of detail in your written application, support material and budget appropriate to the level of your funding request (see assessment criteria below).

This expectation will vary according to the following levels of your funding request:

• applying for less than $20,000
• applying for at least $20,000 but less than $140,000
• applying for $140,000 or more.

You may not request funding for the total cost of your project. You must include an independent financial contribution (cash and/or in kind) from other sources.

Applications are now closed.

CREATIVE KOORI PROJECTS

Creative Koori Projects funding aims to build support for a strong, resilient and exciting Aboriginal arts and cultural sector for NSW. This will be done through embracing the principles of Aboriginal self-determination and putting Aboriginal artists, organisations and communities at the centre of funded cultural and creative activity.

Your intended projects may cover the following elements:

• NSW Aboriginal cultural development
• contemporary practice
• sharing NSW Aboriginal culture the Aboriginal way
• promoting NSW Aboriginal culture
• strengthening the NSW Aboriginal arts and cultural sector.

How much funding is available?

There is no upper limit to the amount of funding you may request.

However, to be competitive, you must provide a level of detail in your written application, support material and budget appropriate to the level of your funding request (see assessment criteria below).

This expectation will vary according to the following levels of your funding request:

• applying for less than $20,000
• applying for at least $20,000 but less than $140,000
• applying for $140,000 or more.

You may not request funding for the total cost of your project. You must include an independent financial contribution (cash and/or in kind) from other sources.

Applications are now closed.

ANNUAL ORGANISATION

Annual Organisation funding is provided on an annual basis to support Arts and Cultural Organisations (including service organisations) to deliver multiple arts and cultural activities throughout a single calendar or financial year. Funding can contribute to any aspect of an organisation’s program.

Funding is available for a wide range of arts and cultural activity, including:

• creation of new work, practice-based research or experimentation and professional development
• production, exhibition, presenting, publishing or recording, touring and festivals
• promotion and marketing, market and/or audience development activity
• conservation and/or development of collections and archives (including Aboriginal Keeping Places and the digitisation of collections)
• purchase of capital infrastructure and equipment
• partnerships, capacity building and sustainability.

How much funding is available?

There is no upper limit to the amount of funding you may request.

However, to be competitive, you must provide a level of detail in your written application, support material and budget appropriate to the level of your funding request (see assessment criteria below).

This expectation will vary according to the following levels of your funding request:

• applying for less than $20,000
• applying for at least $20,000 but less than $140,000
• applying for $140,000 or more.

You may not request funding for the total cost of your project. You must include an independent financial contribution (cash and/or in kind) from other sources.

Applications are now closed.

SMALL PROJECT FUNDING (QUICK RESPONSE)

Small Project Grants support the creation, development and presentation of new work and professional development or promotion for NSW-based professional artists and arts and cultural workers.

You can apply for between $500 and $5000 towards your project.

Apply now until the end of June 2020.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications no later than 3 weeks after you submit your application.

Small Project Grants aim to:

• enable professional artists and arts and cultural workers to attend or participate in outstanding time-sensitive opportunities
• build the capacity and skills of professional artists and arts and cultural workers, through national and/or international mentoring, residency and exchange opportunities
• support professional artists and arts and cultural workers to create, present or tour new work nationally and internationally
• enable professional artists and arts and cultural workers to develop new markets and audiences nationally and internationally
• strengthen the capacity of NSW-based professional artists and arts and cultural workers to become arts and cultural leaders
• promote the NSW arts and culture sector nationally and internationally.

CITY OF SYDNEY

The City of Sydney are near doubling their total COVID-19 package, with $3.5m in direct financial support for the arts.

The new funding programs include $2.25 million in immediate financial support for not-for-profit and sole traders reliant on grants and project-based funds to keep staff and pay their artists.

A $1 million fund will also support artists to engage in creative development of works driven by the cultural sector, and to purchase materials and equipment.

Another $250,000 fund will provide direct donations to locally operated online platforms which raise money to offer emergency relief to “cultural workers in crisis.

ArtsNT

Arts QLD

Queensland Arts Showcase Program

The Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) provides funding to support individuals, organisations or collectives to deliver vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences for Queensland.

This is a rolling fund with applications accepted at any time.

To help mitigate the impact of COVID-19, Arts Queensland is implementing a number of measures to support the arts sector. This includes funding boosts, funding extensions, changes to funding application timeframes, and rent relief for tenants based in Queensland Government Arts infrastructure.

• Increased funding of $2 million for QASP
• Expanded criteria to include digital content creation, creative development, digital delivery
• Funding caps increased to $80,000 for QASP Arts Ignite and Arts Impact
• Funding cap increased to $120,000 for QASP Arts Illuminate
• New streamlined application process
• All approved QASP grants will remain available and recipients have the opportunity to postpone or reframe activity to accommodate changed circumstances
• Updated guidelines and applications available from 27 March 2020

Arts Ignite – funding of up to $60 000 for new works

• Support the creative development and public presentation of new works which respond to demand.
• Cultivate new and emerging talent and extends artists and/or organisations’ practice, audiences and markets.

How to apply

1. Read the Queensland Arts Showcase Program documents: guidelines, application form, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and important information for applicants.
2. Apply online.

Also for organisations:

• Billy Thorpe Scholarship – $10,000 prize for Queensland based contemporary bands or solo artists. Applications are currently closed.
• Backing Indigenous Arts – Bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures of Queensland to the world.

Individuals Fund

Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship

The prestigious $25,000 Grant McLennan Fellowship offers the recipient/s an opportunity to travel to New York, London or Berlin for up to six months and use the experience of being immersed in a foreign and vibrant musical culture to further develop their own artistic skills.

The Fellowship is for a contemporary music songwriter or songwriting duo with both experience and exceptional talent. The artist/artists will have more than five years of professional experience and will have developed a national profile through album releases, touring and media recognition.

The Grant McLennan Fellowship is delivered through a partnership with Arts Queensland, APRA AMCOS (The Australasian Performing Right Association – Australasian Mechanical Copyright-Owners Society) and QMusic.

Key Dates:
Currently closed

Music Development Office

Funding for Contemporary Music in South Australia is facilitated by the Music Development Office, and delivered through the Dept for Industry & Skills.

Full details in the HANDBOOK.

Funding is made available to:

• Strengthen the South Australian contemporary music sector through long-term strategies that build on its national and international reputation and that are acknowledged with pride at home.
• Support emerging professional and professional South Australia-based artists to create quality original music and live performance opportunities locally, nationally and internationally.
• Assist in the development and sustainability of South Australia-based, nationally focused music businesses that support local artist career development.

The Contemporary Music Grant program is divided into two areas of focus: Artist Development and Industry Development:

• Artist Development Grants provide funding for artist and audience development and the creation of original South Australian music.
• Industry Development Grants aim to support local music businesses to establish and strengthen sustainable partnerships and collaborative projects that support and develop the careers of professional musicians and contribute to a buoyant SA music sector.

If you are interested in applying for a new grant through the Contemporary Music Grant Program, in the first instance please read the FAQs for the program, then download the essential HANDBOOK for the round.

NEXT ROUND 2020:

TBA

Contact:
Elizabeth Reid, Program Officer, Music Development Office: 08 7320 3307, elizabeth.reid@sa.gov.au

GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

COVID-19 ARTS GRANTS

The COVID-19 Arts Grants support art making, creative development and professional development across all art forms. It will be a condition of funding that independent artists and smaller organisations will be primary financial beneficiaries. The intent of these grants aims to:

• provide employment for independent artists, and contribute to the sustainability of the small-to-medium sector in uncertain times
• enable the development of new work in new ways
• support the exploration of true cross-sector collaboration as resources and knowledge are shared for mutual benefit
• provide funding to the sector for other areas of greatest need

Outcomes may be:

• bringing work to audiences in new ways and via different platforms and experiences
• creative development to have new work ready to go at a later time
• outcomes that cannot be anticipated at this time
• support for immediate day-to-day needs

Grants will be provided through simplified application and assessment processes. Acquittal processes will be modified.

COVID-19 Arts Grants:

• Creative Endeavour: Quick Response Grants for Independent Artists
• Innovating Practice: Quick Response Grants for Independent Artists
• Expressions of Interest for Arts Organisations Collaboration Grants

Arts Tasmania

Arts Tasmania offers a range of grant programs for professional artists, arts businesses and arts organisations. We also offer programs to support small museums and collections to manage movable cultural heritage.

For more information on how to apply, visit information for applicants.

You can discuss your project with a member of Arts Tasmania’s grants team before you submit an application. Contact the grants team on 03 6165 6666 or grants@arts.tas.gov.au

ARTSBRIDGE

This program supports:

• individuals and groups to undertake interstate or overseas opportunities
  and
• individuals, groups and organisations to bring national and international arts professionals to Tasmania to conduct creative and/or professional development opportunities.

If you are seeking funding towards a national or international opportunity, you can apply for:

• up to $3 000 per person
• up to $10 000 for a group of four people or more.

If you are seeking funding towards bringing one or more practitioners to Tasmania, you can apply for:

• up to $1 000 towards bringing practitioners from interstate
• up to $3 000 towards bringing practitioners from overseas.

2020 Rounds

Opens: 24 January 2020
Closes: 10 March 2020

Opens: 1 May 2020
Closes: 6 July 2020

Opens: 14 August 2020
Closes: 5 October 2020

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

This program supports individuals and groups to undertake projects that enable them to further their careers, enrich their artistic practice and contribute to Tasmania’s arts sector.

There are no limits or caps in place for this program.

Opens: 31 March 2020
Closes: 1 June 2020

Tasmanian Contemporary Music Fund

To support Tasmanian contemporary musicians whose engagements have been cancelled due to COVID-19 to record music and music videos for digital distribution and promotion, grants of up to $15 000 are available. Projects must take place in Tasmania and support Tasmanian musicians to work with other Tasmanian artists and production professionals.

Eligibility

To qualify for funding under the Tasmanian Contemporary Music Fund, you must be a Tasmanian artists or arts worker who has been resident in Tasmania for at least six of the last 12 months or a Tasmanian arts organisation. Groups with interstate members can apply but only Tasmanian artists and professionals can be supported. Contemporary music is defined as music that is currently being written, recorded and performed by Australians. Genres include (but would not be limited to) blues, country, electronic/dance, experimental, folk, funk, hiphop, jazz, metal, pop, rock, roots, and world.

Organisations in receipt of administered funding from the Tasmanian Government (including the Theatre Royal Management Board) are not eligible to apply for support package funds.

Applications open: Friday 27 March 2020

Applications close: Monday 4 May 2020

Apply via www.arts.tas.gov.au/funding

Creative Victoria

MUSIC WORKS MAJOR FUNDING

The Music Works Grants program invests in the development and support of Victoria’s contemporary music artists and music industries. It provides support for projects and programs that will develop and bring dynamism to Victoria’s contemporary music sector, increase employment and build cultural capital. The program is open to new ideas, new modes of practice and new approaches to the delivery of contemporary music that will build on Victoria’s position as a world famous live music capital and Australia’s contemporary music hub.

Download the Music Works – Major Round program guidelines

Funding available

• $2,500 – $20,000 for individuals
• $2,500 – $75,000 for groups/organisations

Key Dates:

Round opens: 9 January 2020 using the Creative Victoria Grants Portal.
Round closes: 5pm, 6 February 2020
For activity commencing from 1 June 2020.

QUICK RESPONSE GRANTS

Music Works Quick Response Grants provide support to individuals, groups and organisations to cover immediate opportunities in Regional Activity, Building Capacity (Professional Development) and Connecting to Markets areas of funding.

Download the Music Works – Quick Response program guidelines (DOC, 207.5 KB).

Funding available

• $1,000 – $5,000 for individuals
• $1,000 – $15,000 for groups/organisations

Key dates:

For activity commencing from 26 March 2020:
Round Opens: 13 February 2020
Round Closes: 5pm, 5 March 2020

For activity commencing from 21 May 2020:
Round Opens: 2 April 2020
Round Closes: 5pm, 23 April 2020

Please note:  It takes approximately 3 weeks from the closing date until funding results are available.

Victorian Music Development Office

FAST TRACK FELLOWSHIP

Open to Victorian music artist managers and independent labels, the Fast Track Fellowship facilitates international professional development, relocates selected participants overseas and immerses them within music companies over a two month period.

The Fast Track Fellowship program includes return flights, visas and insurance as well as financial support for accommodation, on ground logistics, per diems and registration fees for professional industry events.

Applications are currently closed.

CITY OF MELBOURNE

Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) 

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FUND GRANT PROGRAM

The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program will assist homegrown contemporary music artists with projects that enable them to produce and promote their work, building links nationally and internationally.

The program provides funding support to the WA contemporary music sector across a range of activities.

The program offers grants in two categories:

• U-15k for applications up to $15,000
• 15k-plus for applications $15,000 to $60,000

Objectives

The Key Dates Calendar (PDF, 148Kb) has application open, draft review, closing and activity start dates.

If you are applying for the U-15k category, use the U-15k Business Day Calculator (.xlsx) to work out the final eligible day you can submit your application.

Register or Login to Online Grants to apply online.

Refer to the Application Manual (PDF, 424Kb) for further instructions on completing your application.

Contact a Grants Officer if you need assistance.