Chairperson s foreword 2 About Country Arts SA 4 Applying for a Grant 6 Eligibility 6 Project Consultation 7 Making an Application 7 Application Closing Dates 7 Grant Conditions and Evaluation Requirements 9 Regional Arts Fund Grant Programs 10 New Communities Program 11 Community Projects Program 11 Opportunities for Regional Artists Program (Categories 1 & 2: Professional Development and Artist Led Initiatives) 12 Regional Arts Partnerships Program 13 Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants 13 Other Arts Development Programs 14 Skills Development 14 Shows On The Road 15 Art Development Programs are supported by the Government of South Australia through Arts SA
Country Arts SA is a dynamic and innovative organisation committed to the growth of arts and cultural opportunities for regional South Australians. We aim to ensure that regional communities have access to high quality, enriching arts projects, professional development opportunities, and touring exhibitions and performances. We are proud of the successes that regional South Australians have made in accessing arts grants to assist arts and cultural opportunities and creative capacity building. On behalf of the South Australian and Australian Governments, Country Arts SA provides grant funding to support arts and community projects that benefit regional artists, arts workers and communities. Grants provide unique opportunities to employ professional artists and arts workers who collaborate with communities in developing quality outcomes, and community skills, while creating new, original and innovative work. Through Country Arts SA grants programs, regional South Australians strongly contribute to a diverse and vibrant culture of creativity in this State. Projects must be innovative, have artistic merit, build community capacity, and support social and cultural outcomes through open access for a diverse range of people and groups. Programs aiming for excellence, recognising cultural diversity, while raising the profile of the arts in regional, remote, and very remote communities are also very important to the programs objectives. Country Arts SA gratefully acknowledges that the funding programs outlined in this handbook are made possible through the Australian Government s Regional Arts Fund initiative and annual funding from the South Australian Government through Arts SA. I encourage you to discuss your ideas with your local Arts Officer or Arts Manager who can provide advice about all the grant programs available through Country Arts SA, and other arts and cultural grants programs within Australia. I thank you for your interest and contribution to arts development in country South Australia and encourage you to consider the opportunities outlined in this handbook. In this handbook you will find everything you need to know about Country Arts SA grants programs and how to apply for a grant. All funding programs are designed to support community groups and individuals in regional, remote and very remote South Australia, across all art forms. The funding opportunities enable people to develop sustainable ideas, concepts and projects. Steve Grieve Chairperson Country Arts SA
4 About Country Arts SA Country Arts SA is one of South Australia s largest arts organisations with an annual turnover of some $13.5 million a year and a workforce of over 60 full time equivalent employees. Country Arts SA provides arts services across regional South Australia through the management of performing arts centres situated in five provincial cities, with performing and visual arts touring programs and community cultural development programs. Goals: Deliver a diverse program of professional arts to a broad range of regional and remote audiences Encourage and foster cultural and artistic growth in regional and remote communities Applications for funding assistance are assessed by a state panel of peer assessors from regional South Australia, who are appointed by the South Australian Minister for the Arts. Advice to country communities for local arts initiatives, projects or events are provided through a network of arts officers and managers across the State. Country Arts SA also provides opportunities for regional artists through its Visual Arts Programs. Touring exhibitions provide regional communities with access to high quality visual art and craft exhibitions while also promoting regional artists through exhibition of their work. The emphasis on contemporary visual arts practice acknowledges the need to promote innovation, education, conceptual and technical development growth across South Australia. Develop, operate and support arts and cultural facilities across regional South Australia Country Arts SA has a very decentralised organisational structure with around 65% of its staff living and working across country South Australia. Country Arts SA s principal responsibilities are: Managing and operating five 500 seat fully professional proscenium arch performing arts centres situated at Whyalla, Port Pirie, Renmark, Noarlunga and Mount Gambier. Developing performing arts touring programs for the performing arts centres and for touring to other regional communities. Developing and managing visual arts touring programs. Managing a number of arts funding programs. Advocating for the continuing development of the arts in country South Australia. The Containers - wood, papier-mache, wire, mud, small containers of plastic & glass, by Ian Hamilton, exhibited in the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, as part of ARID - A Sculptural Collaboration. Photo: Phil Koch
Applying for a Grant 7 Eligibility You are eligible to apply to Country Arts SA if you meet the following criteria: Demonstrate they are a permanent resident of regional or remote South Australia. Applicants need only be a group of people with a common interest. South Australian Arts organisations are eligible to apply if they propose to work in the country in collaboration with local communities to assist the development of key arts and cultural opportunities. Groups should either be legally incorporated or have an auspicing body prepared to administer the grant on their behalf. Individual artists are only eligible to apply for funding under the Regional Arts Fund Opportunities for Regional Artists Programs, the Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants, or the Skills Development Program. Schools may only apply if they propose to facilitate the involvement of the wider community as direct participants in a local community arts project. Proposals should be developmental, and involve an artist or artists with professional experience. The project should not be part of the school curriculum or general extra curricula activities. Applicants should note that festivals or festival organisations should contact their regional Arts Manager or the (state) Manager Arts Development, before applying to determine their eligibility. Intending applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with their regional Arts Officer before making any application. Obtain a copy of the guide to applying for a grant and the appropriate program application form. The following activities are not eligible for funding: Under Federal guidelines for the use of the Regional Arts Fund, applications from collecting institutions for collection development, maintenance, conservation and interpretation will not be eligible. Galleries and museums are, however, encouraged to apply for community arts projects which are not collection based and which fall within the program guidelines contained in this booklet. Fundraising projects are not eligible. Performing arts touring projects are only eligible under the Shows on the Road Program guarantee-against-loss fund for registered Presenter Groups. Administration costs and infrastructure projects, including buildings and all capital works are not eligible. Applications for projects that have already occurred or commenced are not eligible. Certificate, degree, or courses of ongoing study in government or private institutions in Australia or overseas, academic activity, including wages or course work that is required as part of any academic program are not eligible. The core costs of organising and running a competition, prize, award, exhibition or fundraising event (for example, jurors expenses, administration and infrastructure costs). Annual program funding, or the core costs of running an organisation are not eligible for funding. Extended workshop programs or a series of workshops are not eligible for funding under the Skills Development Program. Project Consultation Intending applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with their regional Arts Officer at least six weeks before a closing date, and before making an application. Your Arts Officer can: Provide you with more detailed information about the funding program most appropriate for your project Assist with project development and coordination advice Provide advice about appropriate artists Provide advice about other possible funding sources for your project Suggest ways of documenting and evaluating your project s progress and outcomes Making an Application Applications should: Show evidence of adequate planning for your project. Provide evidence of consultation with and support from the community concerned, eg letters of support for the project. Demonstrate sufficient organisational skills and resources to manage the project. Demonstrate that funding has also been sought from other sources. Country Arts SA will not fund the entire project. Include material to support the application, for example, photographs, letters of support for the project or a 1-2 page (maximum) Curriculum Vitae. Applicants should check the general guidelines about each funding program for more essential information. These are available in the Guide to Applying for a Grant. Please address the criteria listed in the program application forms and ensure that you are eligible to apply to Country Arts SA or your application may not be considered. Assessment of Applications Applications for assistance are assessed by Country Arts SA Grants Assessment Panel against the detailed criteria for each program. Applications are assessed in a competitive environment and applicants are urged to address the relevant program criteria (available on the front of each application form) as well as the general program guidelines (available in the Guide to Applying for a Grant). The Grant Programs general criteria must also be addressed and these are available in the Guide to Applying for a Grant. Applicants should discuss their application with their regional Arts Officer at least six weeks before any closing date. Application Closing Dates March 15th August 15th for projects commencing after June 30 for projects commencing after January 1 in the following year Applications for assistance under Country Arts SA Programs must be addressed to: Manager Arts Development 2 McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide SA 5015 Applying for a Grant Ripples In The Sand, workshop, 2008. Dawn Matthews (participant)
Applying for a Grant Grant Conditions and Evaluation Requirements General conditions which apply to all grant programs require you to: Complete the project as stated in the application. Seek the approval of Country Arts SA before making any significant changes to the project, for example, a change to the time frame or change of artist. Acknowledge the Australian Government s Regional Arts Fund (if applicable), Country Arts SA and the Government of South Australia on all promotional and publicity material. This acknowledgement is described in the Conditions of Grant that all successful applicants must sign prior to receiving funding. Complete the appropriate evaluation form and forward with support material to: Manager Arts Development 2 McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide SA 5015, within six weeks of completion of the project. Applicants should note that failure to adhere to this condition will result in further applications being deemed ineligible. Return any grant funds remaining on completion of the project Provide opportunities for a representative of Country Arts SA and the Australian Government Minister or the South Australian Minister to speak at all project launches or openings. Successful applicants will receive a letter outlining the conditions of the grant that must be accepted in writing before the grant will be paid. This will include information on appropriate acknowledgement of all funding partners. Grants will not be recommended for applicants who have failed to satisfactorily report on any previous Country Arts SA grant. DRILL, presented by Local Stages and Australian Dance Theatre, 2008. Photo: Shane Reid 9 Applying for a Grant
The objectives of the Regional Arts Fund are to: Encourage and support sustainable cultural development in regional communities where possible, rather than one-off events. Assist sustainable economic and social development within regional, remote and very remote communities, including a focus on Indigenous and isolated communities. Develop partnerships with local government, community groups, the private sector, state government agencies and other relevant groups which leverage financial and/or in-kind support for specific projects and encourage ongoing collaboration or support for cultural activities following the funded projects. Assist the development of cultural networks, especially in isolated areas, to facilitate information exchange and co-operative relationships. Increase employment and professional development opportunities for and raise the profile of regional and remote artists; and The Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in communities across regional, remote and isolated areas of Australia. The fund encourages the formation of productive partnerships to support home-grown arts activities and creation of networks to reduce isolation, exchange ideas and publicise opportunities. The program also assists the professional development of artists based in regional areas. The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia. Assistance is available across all art forms for projects that support the development of creative and innovative regional, remote and very remote communities in which participation in and access to cultural activities contributes to sustainable cultural, social and economic capacity and wellbeing. Increase skills development initiatives (including mentoring schemes), both for individuals and organisations in regional and remote communities. Initiatives may relate to a specific form of art or craft practice, or broader community cultural development and capacity building. The following funding programs support these objectives: New Communities Program Community Projects Program Opportunities for Regional Artists Program: Category 1: Professional Development Category 2: Artist Led Initiatives Regional Arts Partnerships Program Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Program New Communities Program Grants are available to assist regional, remote or very remote communities or groups who have never applied to Country Arts SA or never undertaken an arts project. Applications from groups who are disadvantaged and unlikely to apply for support are also encouraged. Applications for assistance with artist fees, travel and some project costs may be supported. Projects should: Provide an opportunity for new communities to actively participate in the development, management and implementation of an arts project. Involve a professional artist (where appropriate) whose practice is suitable for the project and community. Provide opportunities for the development of skills of locally based artists, arts workers or community groups. Include funding from other sources (Country Arts SA will not fund the whole project). Community Projects Program Grants are available to assist groups to undertake projects, in any art form, which extend or advance knowledge, understanding, participation or development of the arts and culture within communities. Applications for assistance with artist fees, travel and some project costs may be supported. Projects should: Aim to advance the artistic and cultural life of the community through innovative approaches to participation and cultural development. Address relevant local community or cultural themes or issues of significance. Be initiated within the community and actively involve local people. Provide opportunities for collaboration with other community organisations and individuals such as planners, local authorities, designers, architects and engineers. Provide opportunities for the development of skills of locally based arts workers. Utilise a professional artist(s) experienced in community cultural development and/or a specific art form. Include funding from other sources (Country Arts SA will not fund the whole project). River Sites -Partnership between Country Arts SA and Carclew Youth Arts. Riverland 2008 Local Port Augusta artist Terena Johnson taking part in the Keepsake Bowls project, 2008.
12 Regional Arts Fund Grants Programs 13 Opportunities for Regional Artists Program Category 1: Professional Development These may include mentorships, residencies or extended programs of professional or skills development. Mentorships usually take the form of a one-to-one professional development opportunity with an appropriate artist who is widely recognised within the chosen art form. Proposals that develop an artist s understanding of a specific form of art or craft practice or community cultural development practice and capacity building are encouraged. Applications for assistance with artist travel and some project costs may be supported. Applicants should: Contact their relevant Arts Development Manager to discuss the proposal before applying. Detail how the opportunity will benefit their professional career. Provide evidence that negotiations have taken place with their chosen mentor or collaborating agency to satisfy the assessment panel the applicant is able to complete the project in the manner proposed. Provide evidence of the applicant s relevant experience. This could include manuscripts, slides of previous exhibitions or work, reviews and publications. Writers should have developed work that has been preferably published, critiqued, appeared in journals, anthologies or other publications. Include funding from other sources including own contribution (Country Arts SA will not fund the whole project). Demonstrate what previous professional development they have been able to undertake, such as workshops, courses and why funding will assist them in taking their current practice to another level of expertise in their chosen art form. Category 2: Artist Led Initiatives Applications must be from professional regional artists and proposals must demonstrate significant cultural and community benefit to regional South Australia. Projects must be planned and undertaken in regional South Australia and all applicant professional artists must be permanent residents of regional, rural and remote communities. Projects should provide significant community and cultural benefit to regional communities and must also demonstrate strong support from those communities. Proposals should clearly indicate how the regional community will be engaged with or participate in the proposed project and what the longer term sustainable outcomes of the proposal might be. A very limited number of projects will be supported in any one year, and will be assessed in a highly competitive environment alongside proposals from regional communities and other individual artists. The funding panel will reserve the right not to fund any proposals in any one year if proposals are not seen as sufficiently innovative and an outstanding opportunity for the applicant artists and the proposed communities. Applicants should: Contact their relevant regional Arts Development Manager or state Manager Arts Development to discuss the proposal before applying. Demonstrate they are permanent residents of regional or remote South Australia. Detail how the opportunity will benefit their professional career. Provide evidence that negotiations have taken place with any project partners, community organisations, local government, or collaborating agency. Provide a project management outline and time frame to satisfy the assessment panel that the applicant is able to complete the project in the manner proposed. Provide several written references and referees who are willing to be contacted. Provide evidence of the applicant s relevant experience. This could include manuscripts, performances, artistic direction, commissions, slides or videos of previous exhibitions or other work, recordings, reviews and publications. Demonstrate their previous public professional experience through facilitating workshops, visual art and design commissions, artistic coordination of projects including any community cultural experience, festivals or events, directorial, choreographic, or experience. Show why funding will assist them in taking their current practice into the public arena, and how the project would benefit the applicant s career and provide significant benefit for local community. Include funding from other sources including own contribution (Country Arts SA will not fund the whole project). Regional Arts Partnerships Program Grants are available for arts organisations to develop sustainable projects in partnership with other sectors, e.g. industry, local government, multicultural, Indigenous, environment, health, employment, aged or youth sectors, regional or community development organisations. These projects should aim to significantly increase local resources and sustainable support for the arts and cultural development in communities. Grants are also available for arts projects involving multiple art forms, new technologies, new models for participation or a number of different communities (geographically or culturally). Applicants should: Utilise a professional artist(s) experienced in community cultural development and/or a specific art form. Develop projects which demonstrate the partners commitment to cultural development. Demonstrate community support for and involvement in the project. Develop a regional, remote or very remote project which is supported from a number of sources such as ethnic, multicultural, Aboriginal and community organisations, industry, local government, health, environment, private sources or philanthropic trusts as well as traditional arts funding sources. Ensure that at least 50% of income is received from sources other than Country Arts SA (Country Arts SA will not fund the whole project). Projects that involve more than one community or region, or a partnership between a major arts organisation or industry and a local community, may apply for support over a two year period. Detailed information is available on the Country Arts SA website www.countryarts.org.au. Applicants must contact your local regional Arts Manager or the state Manager Arts Development before submitting applications for two year projects. Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants In exceptional circumstances, applications seeking funding up to $1,500 may be considered under quick response arrangements. Your project will only be considered under these arrangements if you would otherwise be disadvantaged by being ineligible for other forms of financial assistance or if there is a genuine reason why the application could not have been submitted by the appropriate closing date. Groups interested in applying for a Quick Response Grant should first discuss the project with their regional Arts Officer or Arts Manager. Successful applicants may not receive more than $2,500 in a four year period. Regional Arts Fund Grant Programs
15 Funding may: Grants are available to assist groups and individuals to undertake projects that develop skills, understanding and culture within communities. Generally applications for assistance with travel, accommodation and living allowance may be supported. Provide opportunities for the development of skills through workshops run by professional artists. Assistance is mainly considered for one off workshops, which might mean one day, a weekend, or a series of consecutive days. (Annual programs or a series of workshops over several weeks or months will not be eligible for funding). Generally provide assistance with travel, accommodation and living costs incurred in participating in arts activities, workshops, conferences or seminars. Workshops must charge participants an appropriate fee. Where possible proposed participant workshop fees should reflect art form or industry standards and aim to cover a significant amount of the proposed project costs. Funding may assist where a shortfall in income is predicted despite reasonable participation. Provide opportunities for the development of project ideas and concepts by supporting costs associated with the short term visit by an artist(s) or guest speaker to assist community groups in the development stage of a major arts project. The objectives of Country Arts SA Arts Development Programs are to: Assist art form or cultural development skills of communities or individuals Enhance opportunities for communities to choose and manage their own creative cultural development activities Provide opportunities to develop arts practice within communities and by individuals Increase access to, participation in and appreciation of the arts by communities and by individuals Demonstrate the value of the arts and community culture Raise awareness of the value of the arts in communities. The following funding programs support these objectives: Skills Development Grants are available to assist groups and individuals to develop art form or cultural development skills through workshops. Projects should: Provide opportunities for the development of skills of locally based artists, arts workers or community groups Address relevant local community or individual skills needs Be initiated by a community group or by an individual artist Involve a professional artist (where appropriate) whose practice is suitable for the project and community; and Include funding from other sources (Country Arts SA will not fund the whole project). Shows on the Road Program This program aims to increase access to the arts through the delivery of professional performing arts to smaller country centres. Country Arts SA provides some guarantee against loss assistance to registered Presenter Groups who are committed to presenting a performance in their community. Groups interested in applying to participate in the program should first discuss their interest with their regional Arts Officer or Arts Manager. Arts Development Programs Ellen Trevorrow - Ngarindjeri Elder & Cultural Weaver. Rekindling the Spirit, Camp Coorong (Meningie). Partnership: Country Arts SA, Camp Coorong, Alexandrina, Murray Bridge, and Coorong Councils. Photo: Vesper Tjukonai
Accessing Grant Application forms and Program Guidelines Contact your regional Arts Officer, Arts Manager or visit www.countryarts.org.au Contact details for staff are contained in the accompanying Guide to Applying for a Grant