Theatre
The Australia Council supports Australian theatre through the theatre, major performing arts, literature and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts boards and market development section.
In 2006-07, we invested more than $15.2 million in Australian theatre, including $6.7 million through the theatre board. This support takes the form of grants to individual artists and groups, operational support to arts organisations, market and audience development initiatives and strategic initiatives to build capacity across the sector.
The theatre board’s grant categories for 2008 reflect changes emanating from the Australia Council’s ‘Make it new?’ consultations of the past 18 months.
Grants
New work
Theatre board
Applications close: 1 June and 15 November 2008
New work grants support one-off projects that create new theatre work. Creative development grants are for the stages of creating a new work, such as research, workshops or commissioning a writer. Production grants are for public performance of a new work and the stages leading up to it, where a presenting partner has already committed to a project. Young artists initiative grants are for creating new work where most of the artists are aged 26 or under.
Skills and arts development
Theatre board
Applications close: 1 June and 15 November 2008
Skills and arts development grants support professional development opportunities for individual theatre makers or activities that develop Australian theatre. Skills development includes attendance at masterclasses, mentorship programs, overseas development opportunities or residencies. Artform development includes activities that service or develop theatre practice such as conferences, writings, journals or research projects.
Fellowships
Theatre board
Applications close: 15 November 2008
Amount: $90,000 over two years
Two-year fellowship grants provide outstanding artists with financial support to produce creative work or undertake professional development that extends their practice and career. Artists with a career of more than 10 years and a record of outstanding achievement are welcome to apply.
Program – youth arts
Theatre board
Applications close: 1 June 2008
Three-year program – youth arts grants support outstanding youth arts companies that offer young people the opportunity to participate in and develop professional theatre practice.
Program – presenter
Theatre board
Applications close: 1 June 2008
Amount: $150,000 over three years
Three-year program – presenter grants underwrite the risks of presenting new contemporary theatre works to the public and support the development of new works for later public presentation. Organisations with a strong record in developing and presenting contemporary works – such as venues, festivals or independent producers – are welcome to apply.
Key organisations – multi-year
Theatre board
Applications close: 1 June 2008
Key organisations – multi-year grants support outstanding organisations that make high quality theatre works themselves or create opportunities for others to do so. Organisations need to demonstrate they have a sustained national or international influence, are leading innovators or are acknowledged centres of excellence. Eligibility in 2008 is limited to organisations that have been invited to apply.
Major performing arts
Major performing arts board
Application by invitation
The 29 major performing arts companies demonstrate the highest artistic standards, an ongoing commitment to developing the artform and artists, a large and increasing audience base, financial viability, and an annual income of more than $1.7 million over the past three years. In theatre, current member companies are Bell Shakespeare, Black Swan Theatre Company, Circus Oz, Company B, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of South Australia and Sydney Theatre Company. Contact the executive director major performing arts to discuss eligibility.
Initiatives
ASS ITEJ 2008
Theatre board, community partnerships section
Managed by Carclew Youth Arts, Come Out! and YPAA
The world theatre network for young people, ASSITEJ, will hold its 2008 world congress and performing arts festival in Adelaide from 9-18 May 2008.
Critical Stages
Theatre board
Managed by Darlinghurst Theatre Company
Critical Stages manages tours of high quality independent theatre productions across Australia. It supports theatre artists with touring infrastructure and resources, and presenters with ready access to high quality productions. Visit www.criticalstages.com.au/ for more information.
Flying start
Theatre board
2008 applications close: 15 May 2008
Flying start provides professional development grants for new artistic directors and general managers of program - youth or multi-year funded theatre companies. It aims to support and prepare them in their new roles.
German/Australian dramaturg exchange
Theatre board
Managed by PlayWriting Australia/Goethe Institut
This six-week residency allows an Australian dramaturg to undertake professional development with a German theatre company. A German dramaturg spends six weeks with the National Play Festival in exchange. Contact info@pwa.org.au for more information.
International market development (theatre for young people)
Theatre board, market development section
The Australia Council has a three-year strategy for building global markets for Australian theatre for young people, particularly in Asia and North America. This includes a dedicated
touring budget, support for local companies and other advocates to attend international industry events, and the development of networks to exchange market information.
International script strategy
Theatre board, market development section
Managed by PlayWriting Australia
This two-year strategy builds international production opportunities for Australian plays. It promotes Australian scripts to international presenters, coordinates visits by international
producers and develops an online database of Australian plays. Contact info@pwa.org.au for more information.
Local stages
Theatre board
Partners: Arts NSW, Arts SA
The local stages initiative supports regional theatre presenters to become hubs of local theatre-making. Local artists from five centres in NSW and SA – Wollongong, Bathurst, Griffith, Port Augusta and Mount Gambier – are accessing resources, professional development opportunities and commissioning opportunities at local performing arts centres.
Managing and producing services
Theatre board, dance board
Partners: state arts agencies
The managing and producing services initiative assists theatre and dance artists to create, present and tour their work. It involves the creation of support structures to produce and manage innovative works across Australia.
Mobile States
Theatre board, dance board, inter-arts office
Managed by Performing Lines
Mobile States provides touring opportunities for contemporary artists and small companies, taking cutting edge arts to audiences around Australia. The initiative aims to facilitate a
national discussion about contemporary performance and to foster creative exchange. Presenting venues include Performance Space at CarriageWorks, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Brisbane Powerhouse, Salamanca Arts Centre and Arts House. Visit www.performinglines.org.au/mobilestates.php for more information.
Navigating and negotiating connections
Theatre board
These workshops will provide independent theatre makers with the skills to secure presenting partners for their work. They will help participants with the mapping of opportunities, planning approaches and negotiation skills. The workshops will be offered in major cities and centres in 2008 and 2009.
Playing the world
Theatre board, market development section
The playing the world initiative assists Australian theatre artists to reach new audiences overseas and develop international markets. This includes funding for international tours of contemporary Australian theatre productions. Proposals can be made throughout the year, but should be discussed with theatre section staff before submission.
SPARK
Theatre board, dance board, community partnerships section
Managed by Youth Arts Queensland
SPARK is a mentoring program that provides young artists with the opportunity to take part in a nine-month mentorship with an established arts professional, sharing ideas, networks and experiences. It is supported through the Australian Government’s young and emerging artists initiative. Visit www.yaq.org.au/spark/ for more information.
TransLab
Theatre board
Partners: Performance Space, Arts House
The TransLab residency program provides critical and supportive environments for artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake research and development, experimentation with new processes, and creative development of new cross-cultural performance projects. It provides space, fees, travel, technical and dramaturgical support. Visit www.performancespace.com.au/ or www.artshouse.com.au/ for more information.