How to use this guide

Welcome to our new-look funding guide for 2008. It’s a plain English overview of the Australia Council and how we can support your art.

At its heart is a directory of the funding programs we offer Australia’s artists and arts organisations. For ease of reference, the grants and initiatives are divided into areas of artistic practice, each supported across the Australia Council – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, community partnerships, dance, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music, theatre and visual arts. There’s also a complementary section on the different ways we develop audiences at home, create international demand for the arts, and grow philanthropic support, plus valuable opportunities for you to benefit in these areas.

Since I became chief executive officer about a year ago, I’ve been struck by the enormous breadth of activity the Australia Council undertakes – from financial support to large and small creative organisations, to residencies for individual artists and the strategic development of audiences in Australia and markets overseas. I’ve also welcomed comments from
stakeholders about how we can streamline our funding application processes. This guide is a positive first step in that direction.

With 58 grant categories and 64 initiatives on offer in 2008, you should find something valuable to support your practice, to help you extend your reach to more Australians or take your art to new frontiers. These funding programs represent our commitment to supporting excellent and distinctive Australian art, to taking more art to more Australians, and to a vibrant and sustainable arts sector.

Kathy Keele, chief executive officer

Languages other than English

We accept grant applications in any language. To speak to us in your first language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the Australia Council.

Indigenous languages

We acknowledge and support the use of Australia’s Indigenous languages. To discuss your project or submit an application in your first language, we recommend you contact
an Indigenous language centre. The National Indigenous Languages Contacts Directory is available from the Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages on 03
9602 4700 or www.fatsil.org.au/.

Assistance for people with disabilities

We are committed to making our programs accessible to people with disabilities. Contact us for more information or assistance. General information about arts and disability matters is available from Arts Access Australia member organisations. A list is available at www.artsaccessaustralia.org/.