Creative communities partnership initiative

Creative communities partnerships aim to support major community arts and cultural development projects of excellence

About the initiative

Creative communities partnerships aim to support major community arts and cultural development projects of excellence that deliver to the community partnerships priority areas, align arts and non-arts partners and have clear outcomes that extend beyond the life of the project.

Creative communities partnerships support opportunities for Australians to participate in meaningful arts and cultural activities in the places where they live, encouraging innovation and enhancing community wellbeing.

Proposals may include a range of diverse but related activities and could be for a period of up to three years for total amounts between $50,000.00 and $600,000.00. Projects must be completed by 30 June 2012.

There are two phases to the creative communities partnership process:

• Phase 1 - discussion and proof of concept.
• Phase 2 - invitation to present a full written application.

Proposals to creative communities partnerships may be submitted at any time.

Organisations may hold only one funded creative communities partnership at any one time. 

The Australia Council may commission creative communities partnerships to address strategic priorities or issues as they arise.

Objectives

The objectives of creative communities partnerships are to:

• Increase opportunities for individuals and communities to actively participate in excellent artistic practices
• Deliver  innovative community based arts programs with long term outcomes through arts and non-arts partnerships
• Stimulate innovation across organisations, governments and in communities in the use of the arts to address issues of community well being
• Increase the understanding of the contribution of the community arts and culture to Australia’s artistic and community development, through effective and appropriate evaluation. 

This may be undertaken in partnership with other organisations, institutions, government departments and/or individuals.

Community partnerships priority areas

The community partnerships committee supports a number of priority areas that cover a range of geographic, demographic and social contexts. These priority areas serve to focus effective use of the resources of community partnerships and include:

• regional Australia
• disability
• young people
• cultural diversity
• emerging communities
• Indigenous people
• remote Indigenous communities
• specific critical social and cultural issues requiring focused attention.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only applicants who have discussed their proposal with a Community Partnerships manager are eligible to apply. Applicants must have written approval to submit the full application.

Creative Communities Partnerships are only open to organisations. Organisations are permitted to hold one funded Creative Communities Partnership at one time. 

Applicants must demonstrate in Phase Two of the application process that at least 50% of the budget for their proposal is confirmed and derived from sources other than the Australia Council.

Please note that proofs of concept and full applications to the Creative Communities Partnerships are NOT considered as one of the two grant applications you may make to the Australia Council each year. 

How to apply

Phase 1 - discussion and proof of concept

Step 1 - discuss the concept with a community partnerships manager.

Step 2 - if your proposed activity fits within the guidelines of the creative communities partnerships, you will be invited in writing to submit a proof of concept to the director of community partnerships. This will be assessed by two members of the community partnerships committee.  A decision regarding the proof of concept will be provided within four weeks of it being submitted (please note, for proofs of concept received between 1 December and 15 January, decisions may take up to six weeks).

An invitation to submit a proof of concept does not automatically lead to approval to submit a full application under the creative communities partnerships initiative.

The proof of concept should not exceed three pages.  It should :

• State the aims and long term outcomes of the partnership
• Identify the partners and key personnel in the partnership
• Explain the significance of the project (How does the partnership contribute to community well being? What is the impact of the partnership and the lasting outcomes after the project is completed?)
• Address the creative communities partnerships objectives and at least one of the community partnerships priority areas.
• Provide an indicative timeline and budget outline (including the list of partners engaged, confirmed and unconfirmed proposed funding sources and budget requests, and the level of funding being sought from community partnerships).

In assessing your proof of concept, the committee will consider:

Whether the proposal meets the initial eligibility requirements stated above

The written proposal

• Communication between you and a community partnerships manager
• Whether the proposed activity meets the objectives of creative communities partnerships.
• Applicants should not submit letters of support or other support material at this stage of the process.

The committee members may also take into consideration when assessing the proof of concept the geographic and/or priority area distribution of creative communities partnerships.

Phase 2 - invitation and full written application

Based on the assessment undertaken by community partnerships committee members you may be invited to make a full written application based on your proof of concept. An invitation to submit a full application does not imply that it will be successful. You must submit the full application within three months of the date of invitation.

If invited, you will receive a written invitation and an application form. You will be required to submit the application in accordance with standard application procedures. 

The full application will be assessed by the community partnerships committee and a decision provided within six weeks of it being submitted (please note, for full applications received between 1 December and 15 January the decisions may take up to 10 weeks).

The committee members may also take into consideration when assessing the full written application the geographic and/or priority area distribution of creative communities partnerships.

Assessment criteria for the full application

Applications will be supported that best demonstrate the:

• Proven capacity and high level skills of the artists and key personnel involved to achieve the outcomes
• Innovation and excellence in the partnership project
• Effective planning, evaluation processes and use of resources, including a range of confirmed funding sources and project partners
• Developmental and sustainable outcomes for the communities participating in the partnership (that are relevant to communities identified within the Community Partnerships priority areas).

For further information contact community partnerships by phone on 02 9215 9025 or toll free 1800 226 912 or email cp@australiacouncil.gov.au