Independent Artists and Groups Grant Program in Australia

Deadline: 6-Feb-23

The Government of South Australia is seeking applications for Independent Artists and Groups Grant Program to support the development, production and presentation of new works by independent artists and groups across all art forms.

Development of new work might involve periods in the studio or rehearsal room or working with other artists. Applicants may seek assistance towards various stages of the work’s development, with or without a public outcome. Research projects are eligible if the applicant has a track record of achievement.

Independent artists may apply to tour an established work or exhibition through this category.

Funded activity may include playwriting, dramaturgy, creative development, manuscript draft and development and making work in the studio.

Literature applications for the preparation of work for self-publishing will be accepted where a compelling case for self-publishing can be made. This would include a strong track record of published work and a viable marketing/distribution plan.

Eligibility Criteria

• Independent artists and groups
• Groups of professional practicing artists (who may or may not be incorporated) and who are not in receipt of annual or multi-year government funding
• Individuals and groups
  • Applicants must:
    • Be professional practicing artists or arts workers / cultural workers
    • Be Australian citizens or have permanent resident status
    • Live in South Australia six months or more per year.
    • In some cases, employees of South Australian Government funded arts and cultural organisations may be able to apply. Refer to individual grant categories for category-specific eligibility.
• Please note: Artists and arts workers employed by funded arts and cultural organisations (at least 0.6 FTE) require a financial contribution of a minimum of 30% of total activity cost to be made by the organisation if the eligible activity relates to their employment.
• Individuals and unincorporated South Australian groups may have their grant auspiced by a recognised incorporated body.
• Organisations
  • Generally, applications are accepted from not-for-profit South Australian arts and cultural organisations, including those funded through Arts South Australia, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department for Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education. Local Government and state government agencies and for-profit arts and cultural organisations are eligible applicants in some grant categories.
  • Refer to individual grant categories for category-specific eligibility.
  • Individuals and unincorporated South Australian groups may have their grant auspiced by a recognised incorporated body.

Criteria

• All applications are assessed against the following criteria.
• Artistic Merit and Viability are the two key criteria to consider in your proposal.
• Address the Engagement and/or Development criteria as they relate to your proposal – your proposal may meet all criteria.
• You do not need to respond to each individual bullet point.
• Artistic merit
  • In assessing the Artistic Merit criterion, the peers may consider:
  • Innovation, originality, quality, creativity and ambition
  • The track record, creative achievement and skill of the artist or artists involved
  • The context in which the work is being undertaken
  • The potential contribution to the development of the art form
  • Evidence of experimentation, risk taking and bravery.
• Viability
  • In assessing the Viability criterion, the peers may consider:
  • The planning and resources required to achieve the potential of the proposal
  • The ability of the applicant to meet the logistical challenges of the proposal
  • Evidence of strong financial and operational management, including a realistic budget and timeline
  • Evidence of additional resources and support, including other sources of income
  • In-kind contributions.
• Engagement
  • In assessing the Engagement criterion, the peers may consider:
  • The potential to grow audiences and their critical understanding of the art form
  • The development of new markets, locally, nationally and/or internationally
  • The development of new ways to engage with those markets
  • The potential to provide a broader range of people with opportunities to participate in arts experiences through strategies that increase access, social inclusion and cultural diversity
  • Evidence of deeper engagement with, and the involvement of, particular communities and/or audiences and the delivery of artistic benefits to them.
• Development
  • In assessing the Development criterion, the peers may consider:
  • The development of artist and art form practice
  • The potential to enhance the skills and/or professional reputation of the applicant
  • The capacity to forge new pathways for artist and sector development
  • The capacity to develop new networks, collaborations and partnerships
  • The contribution to South Australia’s reputation as a centre of cultural leadership
  • At a national and international level, and the resultant economic benefits.

Ineligible

• Funded organisations: small-to-medium organisations, major organisations
• Organisations funded through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (NPAPF) formerly known as Major Performing Arts (MPA) Companies
• Statutory Authorities.

For more information, visit  Independent Artists and Groups.