Synapse - inter-arts
Synapse enables collaborations between the arts and sciences.
Collaborations between the arts and sciences have the potential to create new knowledge, ideas and processes beneficial to both fields. Artists and scientists approach creativity, exploration and research in different ways and from different perspectives. When working collaboratively, artists and scientists exchange these different approaches thereby opening up new ways of seeing, experiencing and interpreting the world around us.
The Australia Council for the Arts' Synapse initiative provides opportunities for artists and scientists to work together, and seeks to promote the benefits of such collaborations to the wider community. By developing awareness and understanding of arts/science practice, Synapse aims to advance the role the arts plays in Australia's innovation system.
The Synapse initiative currently involves three streams:
- Australian Research Council linkage partner organisation grant
- Synapse residencies
- Synapse database.
Australian Research Council linkage partner organisation grant
The Australian Research Council (ARC) is the primary source of advice to the Australian Government on investment in the national research effort. It plays a key role in the Australian Government's investment in the future prosperity and wellbeing of the Australian community. The ARC fosters excellence, partnerships and the highest ethical standards in research and research training in all fields of science, social sciences and the humanities.
Under an agreement with the Australia Council, the ARC will accept applications that propose the Council as a partner organisation on significant arts/science research collaborations.
To date, the ARC with the Australia Council as partner organisation has supported four Synapse art/science collaborative research projects. Two further rounds of ARC linkage partner organisation grants will be offered in 2008.
Synapse residencies
Many artists have strong, established links with particular science organisations throughout the nation. While some artists apply successfully for funding through the Council's normal grants program to undertake such activity, the Synapse Residencies program profiles the benefits of artist/science organisation relationships by offering support for artists to undertake a science residency. Synapse Residencies is managed through the Australian Network for Art and Technology.
Synapse database
Key to the success of arts/science is a greater information flow between artists, scientists, organisations and funding sources interested in promoting and developing the practice in Australia. The Synapse database is a resource for artists, scientists, researchers, curators and industry to develop innovative and dynamic collaborations and connections.
If you are an Australian artist, scientist, or work for an organisation engaged in art/science practice please submit your details for inclusion in the database at www.synapse.net.au.
The database can be searched by artist, project or organisation. It contains information on exhibitions, collaborative projects and areas of science interest and includes a showcase of artworks in the online gallery.
Australia Council artform boards
The visual arts, music, dance, theatre and literature boards of the Australia Council may also support art/science projects through normal arts support grants categories. Please refer to the latest Australia Council for the arts funding guide and contact staff within the relevant board to determine whether your proposal meets their application guidelines, or to discuss your application in more detail.
More information
For further information on these strategies or to keep in touch with Synapse progress, please subscribe to our email list or contact:
Andrew Donovan
Email: synapse@australiacouncil.gov.au
Tel: (02) 9215 9124
Back