Key organisations - multi-year - music

Key organisations - multi-year grants are for outstanding music organisations that are leading artistic ensembles or service providers.

Closing date: 15 May 2008
Decisions advised: September 2008
For funding from: 1 January 2009

About this category

With the support of triennial funding, the aim of this category is to develop a viable infrastructure to advance Australian music. Organisations need to demonstrate they have sustained national or international influence, are leading innovators or are acknowledged centres of excellence.

The key organisations – multi-year category is split into key organisations (artistic) and key organisations (service).

These two different types of key organisations have the same eligibility and selection criteria described below, but there are differences in the terms of the funding agreement offered to them. These differences are as follows: 

• If there is any change in the artistic leadership of a key organisations (artistic) company, the company will need to reapply for future multi-year funding in the calendar year after the change
• Organisations receiving key organsations (service) funding will have additional clauses included in their funding agreements articulating the specific service outcomes sought by the music board. If the organisation fails to deliver on these outcomes, it will be formally advised that this is the case and required to resubmit an application at the appropriate closing date in the calendar year after being formally advised of this. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility in 2008 is limited to organisations that lodged an expression of interest in 2007 and were invited to apply for a key organisations - multi-year grant. Invited organisations have been advised of the type of key organisations funding for which they are eligible, either key organisations (artistic) or key organisations (service).

To be eligible, invited organisations must meet the general eligibility requirements.

They must also demonstrate each of the following:

• At least 40 per cent of their income is derived from sources other than the Australia Council (please note that this criterion has risen from 30 per cent to 40 per cent in response to the high levels of alternate funding sources many of the organisations receiving funding from the music board are achieving)
• Total annual expenditure was a minimum of $200,000 each year in the previous two financial years
• They received a minimum grant of $40,000 in each of the previous two financial years from either the music board or a state/territory government agency.

It is expected that the organisations:

• Are a not-for-profit incorporated association or a company limited by guarantee
• Have a governance structure that complies with Principles 1 & 2 of the Australian Stock Exchange’s Principles of Good Corporate Governance and Best Practice Recommendations.
• Have an independent annual financial audit process that complies with relevant Australian Accounting Standards
• Have 20 per cent of turnover in cash reserves OR have clear, achievable and realistic strategies in their business plan to build this level of reserves.

What are the selection criteria?

All organisations to be provided with key organisations - multi-year funding will be one or more of the following:

• Acknowledged national organisations with a presence or influence across Australia
• Organisations with a sustained international profile
• Leading innovators that consistently stretch their artform practice and/or
• Acknowledged centres of excellence in their particular form of practice.

The music board will assess the application using the following criteria:

• The extent to which the organisation contributes to the strategic national infrastructure as defined above
• Significant contribution to the development of high quality music activity
• Artistic or professional skills appropriate to the activity
• Public engagement
• Good planning, governance and management, effective use of resources and a demonstrated need for triennial funding.

Organisations that best demonstrate all of these criteria will be selected for key organisations funding.

What should you submit?

All applicants must submit the required support material in addition to the application.

Important information

Organisations in receipt of a key organisations - multi-year grant may choose to make one other application each year to the Australia Council for a project grant, but not for a program grant. The second application must be an activity that is not currently funded by the organisation’s key organisations - multi-year grant.

Key organisations - multi-year grants are administered through the Australia Council's key organisations section. For more information please contact the client manager on (02) 9215 9112 or 1800 22 6912 (toll free).