Community partnerships - July 2008 meeting

The Australia Council's community partnerships committee met from 23 to 24 July 2008 to assess applications to round 2 of the projects and professional development (category B) and projects with public outcomes (category C).  This round accepted applications from 4 March to 5 May 2008.

Committee members

Attendees: Prof Brad Haseman (chair) QLD; Tiffany Lee-Shoy (deputy chair) NSW; Khaled Abdulwahab VIC; Malcolm Bywaters TAS; Mia Christophersen NT; Caroline O’Neil WA

Apologies:
Jan Wawrzynczak (ACT)
Jan sadly passed away on Friday 26 July. The Australia Council express our sincerest condolences to Jan’s family, friends and colleagues. Read our statement.

Projects and professional development (category B)

Project and professional development (category B) grants provide funding up to $20 000 for one-off community arts and cultural development projects that involve a range of collaborating partners and may or may not have a public outcome.

Successful applicants

Darfur Australia Network VIC $19,892
To capture and exhibit the Darfur experience through photography workshops and an exhibition

Golden Plains Shire Council (VIC) $15,463
To create musical instruments & sculpture from rural objects with musician Steve Langton

Kid's Own (Australia) Inc. (VIC) $20,000
To exhibit a 'cubby capsule' of books by children for children in four locations in Victoria and Queensland.

Pinjarra Katijin Inc (WA) $11,000
To create artworks by Indigenous artists memorialising the Pinjarra Massacre

playUP Contemporary Youth Arts Inc (VIC) $19,909
To create and present new street theatre works and peer workshops, titled Street Cred

Stalker Stilt Theatre Inc (NSW) $20,000
Towards research, development, community consultation and training for new Marrugeku project in Broome

Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WA) $19,800
To run a Martu Film Festival showing archival film of traditional Martu culture & new films made by Martu

Statistical summary

• 27 applications received
• 7 applications approved
• Total amount requested: $439,939
• Total amount approved: $126,172
• Application success rate: 25.9%
• Amount success rate: 28.7%

Committee feedback

The committee was impressed by the diversity of projects submitted to this round – which reflects he range of projects taking place in community arts and cultural development. The committee were also pleased to note that 60% of applications to this category were first time applicants.

The committee emphasised the importance that applicants clearly explain the link between the art form and creative practice chosen for the project and how it matches the community’s aspirations. Applications that clearly articulated this connection by relating to the community’s existing cultural expression received a good response.

The committee emphasised the importance of the support material submitted with applications. This includes the detail in the support letters. Support material is used to gauge the quality of the work and the calibre of artists involved. It is important for applicants to bear this in mind when choosing the type and content of material to submit.

Letters of support show the committee the level of support from the communities and partners involved. Letters should be recent and demonstrate a deep knowledge of the project and the outcomes that hope to be achieved. The committee discourages applicants to include letters that support an organisation, group or individual more generally - unless it relates to the specific project for which you are seeking support.

Projects with public outcomes (category C)

Projects with public outcome (category C) grants provide funding from $20 000 to $35 000, for one-off community arts and cultural development projects that must have a public outcome and involve collaborations with a range of cross-sectoral partners.

Successful applicants

Christian Aboriginal Parent Directed School – Coolgardie (WA) $34,548
Towards the Rock Hole Long Pipe project

Interweave  Arts Association Inc (TAS) $30,840
To transform a metro bus into a mobile extension space in the style of Priscilla

Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Ltd (NSW) $25,000
To produce Strictly Samoan – a multi-faceted, community based, cross – artform cultural project

Powerhouse Youth Theatre Inc (NSW)  $30,000
Hard Daze: a performance event with young people of mixed abilities and professional artists

Statistical summary

• 27 applications received
• 4 applications approved
• Total amount requested: $783 455
• Total amount approved: $120 388
• Application success rate: 14.8%
• Amount success rate: 15.3%

Committee feedback

The committee noted the number of very strong applications and the competitiveness of the round.  They also noted the 65% increase in numbers of applications to this category between the first two rounds in 2008.

General feedback on the applications received included being specific about  the developmental processes and outcomes for communities and ensuring that these address the Community Partnerships priority areas. The issues of committee representation for projects, and the differentiation between community art practice and community cultural development through art practice continue to be raised. 

The committee respond well to applications that articulate and demonstrate the quality of the community and artistic development prior to the public outcome. They also take note of the number and extent of the partnerships as evidence of the depth and breadth of the collaboration.

Specific client feedback

Community partnerships officers can provide feedback to clients about their applications. Please call 02 9215 9025 to speak to the appropriate officer.  

There have been four rounds for projects and professional development (category B) and projects with public outcomes (Category C) in 2008. The remaining date round is:

Round 4
Applications accepted: 8 July to 1 September 2008
Decisions advised: November 2008
Projects may start: 15 January 2009