Support for recent creative arts graduates to help them establish an arts career

A grant for up to $10,000 for services, resources, skills development and equipment to help develop a sustainable arts career

– Applications for this grant close 2 March and 20 September 2012
– Decisions will be advised in June 2012 / December 2012
– Funded projects can start 1 July 2012 / 1 January 2013
– Funded projects must be completed by 30 June 2013 / 31 December 2013

Rounds

About the grant

The Australia Council provides financial assistance to recent creative arts graduates who are committed to establishing a career as a professional writer, visual, hybrid or performing artist, or a creative practitioner working in community arts or cultural development. Grants provide funding for services, resources, skills development and equipment that help graduates to build an income-generated career in the art form they have studied.

Applicants must present a viable plan outline their proposed ArtStart activities, demonstrate their potential for artistic excellence and display a strong commitment to their chosen field.

ArtStart does not directly fund the creation of new creative works or support the development of one off performances or exhibitions.

Contact

Potential applicants are encouraged to review all the information on the ArtStart website. If after reading this information you wish to discuss your proposal, please contact:

Laura Naimo
Program Officer, ArtStart
Phone 02 9215 9129, Email l.naimo@australiacouncil.gov.au

Support for recent creative arts graduates to help them establish an arts career

A grant for up to $10,000 for services, resources, skills development and equipment to help develop a sustainable arts career

– Applications for this grant close 2 March and 20 September 2012
– Decisions will be advised in June 2012 / December 2012
– Funded projects can start 1 July 2012 / 1 January 2013
– Funded projects must be completed by 30 June 2013 / 31 December 2013

Eligibility

This category is open to individuals. To be eligible, you must meet the general eligibility requirements and any specific eligibility requirements provided for this specific grant.

Additional to the general eligibility requirements, you must meet the following specific eligibility requirements:

Your eligibility

To be eligible you:

• must have completed an accredited creative arts course (Certificate IV or above) in the last three years or
• will complete an accredited creative arts course before the project start date for each round.

To be considered to have completed your creative arts course you must have completed the last subject needed for your qualification in 2009, 2010, 2011 or you will compete the last subject before 30 June 2012.

You are not eligible if:

• you intend to undertake but have not commenced formal study (Certificate IV or above) during the ArtStart grant period (includes non-creative arts courses such as a Diploma of Education)
• you have already received an ArtStart grant, a recipient can receive only one ArtStart grant during their career

If you have applied to do further study but will not know if you are going to undertake the course prior to the ArtStart period start date, please contact the ArtStart team.

ArtStart is intended to support practicing artists, whose primary role is the creation of art rather than the documentation, organising or promotion of other peoples' art. ArtStart does not fund applications from curators, music producers, editors, graphic designers, journalists, photojournalists or other producers who are requesting funds to support this type of work. Artists who earn a secondary income as a curator or producer are eligible to apply, only if funds requested are for their own artistic practice, rather than being used to fund their practice as a curator or producer.

The Australia Council does not fund film making or fashion design, other agencies are set up to undertake this role, including Screen Australia and the Council of Textiles and Fashion Industries of Australia.

The Australia Council encourages applicants from Indigenous backgrounds and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to submit proposals. Proposals are also encouraged from applicants with disabilities and from applicants living and working in regional Australia.

Eligible expenses and activities

Not all expenses and activities are eligible. The grant should be used specifically for costs associated with establishing a business or professional practice as a creative professional.

ArtStart grants are not intended to cover the living expenses of the recipient artist. ArtStart grants do not fund the purchase of major items of capital expenditure. The grants may be used to cover smaller items of equipment but this expenditure must not be more than 50% of the grant value.

ArtStart does not directly fund the creation of new creative works or support the development of one off performances or exhibitions.

Selection criteria

• the potential quality of your artistic practice
• your demonstrated commitment and the commitment of potential partners
• the viability of your proposed goals and activities.

Selection process

Peers will assess applications according to the selection criteria above. The outcomes will be published as an Assessment Meeting Report.

For more information on the assessment process, please see the page on Assessment of applications in the Arts Funding Guide 2012.

Support for recent creative arts graduates to help them establish an arts career

A grant for up to $10,000 for services, resources, skills development and equipment to help develop a sustainable arts career

– Applications for this grant close 2 March and 20 September 2012
– Decisions will be advised in June 2012 / December 2012
– Funded projects can start 1 July 2012 / 1 January 2013
– Funded projects must be completed by 30 June 2013 / 31 December 2013

How to apply

ArtStart accepts applications online only. You must apply using the online application form. To begin an online application, use the 'Apply online' button in the right-hand column. Please select 'Arts Funding Division' when prompted to choose a board.

For further information please see making an application in the Funding Guide 2012.

Supporting materials

You must submit the following support material:

If your application is successful, we may ask for further proof of your completion of your course before we pay your grant. If you are still studying, but will complete your course before the ArtStart period start date, you should contact the ArtStart team about the submission of your academic transcript.

Please upload only one copy of all support material. All support material must be supplied as a .pdf. Additional support materials such as images and examples or recordings of your work will not be accepted as part of your application.

Application checklist

We encourage you to use this handy checklist to help you prepare and submit your application. You should:

1. read the Funding Guide for 2012, in particular the general eligibility requirements, the information on making an application and the information on how your application will be assessed;
2. read all of the information provided for this grant (across all the tabs above);
3. get in contact with the grant contact person to discuss your application;
4. prepare your application, being mindful that you address all of the eligibility and selection criteria for this grant; and
5. submit your application form online using the 'Apply online' button in the right-hand column.

Support for recent creative arts graduates to help them establish an arts career

A grant for up to $10,000 for services, resources, skills development and equipment to help develop a sustainable arts career

– Applications for this grant close 2 March and 20 September 2012
– Decisions will be advised in June 2012 / December 2012
– Funded projects can start 1 July 2012 / 1 January 2013
– Funded projects must be completed by 30 June 2013 / 31 December 2013

General FAQs

Specific frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to this grant are listed below. Please regularly check for updates as new questions may be published during the grant round.

Grant FAQs

Who can apply?
Artists wishing to establish a professional arts practice may apply. If you plan to earn an income or gain employment as a professional artist in the visual arts, hybrid and media arts, performing arts, literature or in community arts and cultural development, you may apply.

Can I apply if I finished my last subject in an eligible accredited artist training in 2008 but did not graduate until 2009?
If you completed the last subject needed for your qualification in 2008, but graduated in 2009 you are not eligible to apply.

Can curators, community arts workers, editors or producers apply?
ArtStart grants are targeted at creative practitioners, rather than individuals such as curators, community arts workers, editors or producers.  We understand that creative practitioners often generate an income from a number of different sources, but it is important that your ArtStart application is focused on your career as an artist, designer, performer, director (theatre and performance), choreographer, community cultural development artist, cross artform artist, composer or writer.  If you submit an application for your work as a curator, arts administrator, editor or producer it will not be eligible. The Australia Council offers other opportunities for curators, community arts workers and producers through its Young and Emerging Artists programs and via the Visual Arts Board’s Curatorial Research Projects - Emerging Curators.

Can graphic designers, fashion or documentary photographers apply?
ArtStart is intended to support practicing artists, whose primary role is the creation of art rather than the documentation, organising or promotion of other peoples' art. ArtStart does not fund applications from graphic designers, journalists, photojournalists or fashion designers who are requesting funds to support this type of work.

ArtStart grants are targeted at artists. The Australia Council for the Arts does not fund projects or activities that do not involve practicing artists, and/or do not have a clearly defined arts component.

If you are not sure if you would be eligible for ArtStart please contact the ArtStart team.

I want to establish a business that distributes arts product or markets the arts to a wider audience. Can I apply?
ArtStart grants aim to help practicing artists earn an income from their art. If you are establishing a business or practice that supports artists but is not directly involved in the creation of your own art, you are not eligible to apply.

Do I have to be less than 30 years of age?
There is no age limit for applicants to ArtStart. You just need to have completed a creative arts course in the three years prior to the ArtStart application closing date.

What do you mean by ‘completed a creative arts course’?
To be eligible to apply, you must have undertaken an accredited creative arts course and have successfully completed all requirements for the award of your qualification. Qualification may be attained at Certificate IV level through to post graduate degree.

Can I apply for ArtStart if I have completed a creative arts course but intend to continue studying?
No, the grant cannot be used to undertake further formal study in Australia or overseas. You may however use the grant to undertake specialised short courses or seminars relevant to your art form practice.

How do I apply?
We will ask you to complete an online application form. In the application you will answer a series of questions. Below are examples of the kind of questions that will be asked:

1. What are your 3 most significant artistic achievements of the last 3 years? Please include a description of the work, performance, recording or publication, if applicable.
2. What goals do you aim to have achieved in five years time?
3. What are the key activities you’ll need to undertake to achieve these goals?
4. Which of these activities would you undertake in the next 12 months with your ArtStart grant?
5. How would the activities you propose in questions 4 assist you in establishing a professional art practice and why are they important?
6. How will you measure the success of activities you would undertake in the next 12 months?
7. How much income are you aiming to earn from your arts practice over the 12 months of the ArtStart grant?

We’ll also ask you to provide a simple budget outlining your ArtStart activities, submit three testimonials and ask you to provide evidence of your accredited training.

For your application to be considered eligible you must address all the questions in the required format.

How will my application be assessed?
Your application will be assessed against the published selection criteria by a panel of peers convened by the Australia Council. The panel will include peers with expertise in art form practice, arts training, career pathways for emerging artists and small business.

Will receipt of an ArtStart grant be means tested for a government social security benefit or allowance?
ArtStart grants are for necessary business expenses incurred in establishing and running a business or professional arts practice and are not to be used for day to day living.

Grants are considered income for social security purposes. The amount is generally assessed as a lump sum and will affect your payment for 52 weeks. However, artists who are running a business (even on a small scale) will have their grant treated differently. Income should be reported via a Profit and Loss Statement, with supporting information supplied in a Business Details form. Net profit for a business is calculated using the formula Net Profit = Revenue – Expenses (however, expenses allowed for Centrelink are not necessarily the same as those allowed for tax purposes).

Artists should contact Centrelink on 13 28 50 for more information. Additionally, Centrelink’s Financial Information Service (FIS) is an education and information service available to everyone in the community that may be of great benefit to artists who also receive assistance through the social security system. For more information phone 13 23 00.

What is capital expenditure?
Up to 50% of your ArtStart grant can be spent on capital expenditure

Capital expenditure includes:

Non consumable items, goods or equipment that will last you more than one financial year. Items you might apply for that are capital expenditure could include but are not limited to, a laptop computer, video camera, software, easel, kiln or instrument.
Improving an existing fixed asset that you own, for example; if you own your studio and you add sound proofing to the walls, this is considered capital expenditure. If you rent your studio and make improvements, this is not considered capital expenditure.

Please note that you can only spend 50% of your ArtStart funds on capital expenditure items. If you indicate in your budget that you want to spend more than 50% of your grant on capital expenditure items, you will be considered ineligible. Contact the ArtStart team if you have any questions.

When should I start and finish my ArtStart activities?
There is a fixed span of 12 months for ArtStart activities. If you apply at a September closing date, you must undertake your ArtStart activity between 1 January and 31 December of the following year. If you apply at a March closing date, you must undertake your ArtStart activity between the following 1 July and 30 June.

What do you mean by 'potential partners'?
Potential partners could be people, organisations or funders you have mentioned in your application that are providing in kind or financial support to your proposal or are collaborators in your ArtStart project activities.

You can provide evidence of their commitment via testimonials in your application. It is important that you are able to confirm the participation or support of these potential partners to give your application its best chance of success.

Who are suitable people to write the 200-word testimonials?
You must include three 200–word testimonials from teachers, trainers, potential partners in your application or from other artists and people suitably placed to make a comment on the benefit of your proposed ArtStart grant to your practice. The statements talk to the quality of your artistic practice, commitment of potential partners and the viability of your goals and activities.

Statements must be signed and dated by the author of the testimonial, and attached as .pdf documents in your application. It is important to plan ahead to ensure that you get testimonials from people who can best add value to your application.

Can I apply to undertake further study in Australia or overseas?
No, the grant cannot be used to undertake further formal study in Australia or overseas. You may, however use the grant to undertake specialised short courses or seminars relevant to your art form practice.

I studied in one art form but would prefer to establish a practice in another. Will I be eligible?
You may be eligible to apply but your application will be assessed based on the art form qualification you achieved when you graduated. Your application will not rate as highly if you propose to establish your career in an arts practice different from that which you studied.

If I studied journalism, can I apply?
If you intend to establish a practice as a creative writer, you may apply. If you intend to pursue a career in journalism you are not eligible to apply.

I graduated from a fashion design course. Can I apply?
If you intend to establish a practice as a craft person or textile designer, you may apply. If you are planning to establish a career as a fashion designer, you are not eligible to apply. Professional and business development opportunities for fashion designers are offered through the Council of Textiles and Fashion Industries of Australia.

I graduated from a film, TV or cinema course. Can I apply?
If you intend to establish an arts practice as a film or video artist, you may apply. If you are planning to establish a career as a screen professional within the film and television industry, you are not eligible to apply. Professional and business development assistance for screen practitioners is offered through Screen Australia or state based screen development agencies.

Can I apply for ArtStart if I graduated from a Diploma of Education?
ArtStart grants are targeted towards individual artists seeking to establish their professional practice. To be eligible you must have completed accredited artist training in the last three years. A teaching degree is not eligible.

I’m part of a group of artists, can we apply?
Only individuals can apply for ArtStart. However, if you and other members of a group want to apply, you can do so as individuals. You must explain how your ArtStart activities will benefit you as an individual artist. Please contact the ArtStart team if this is your intention. Please visit our website to see how a group has applied to ArtStart as individuals.

I have a qualification from an institution in another country. Can I apply?
Please contact ArtStart staff to discuss your eligibility. Please note that you must also be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to be eligible to apply for an ArtStart grant.

Can I apply for ArtStart and another grant?
Yes.

What happens with income tax and ArtStart?
When submitting your tax return for a sole trader or small business, you claim business expenses against your income. ArtStart is income. To check if your ArtStart activities and purchases are tax deductible business expenses please follow this link to the Australian Taxation Office. It gives examples of business expenses that can be claimed.

In addition, the ATO has published a guide for income averaging for special professionals, including some creative artists which may assist you in your end of financial year accounts keeping. Click here to view.

What do I need to put in my invoice?
If you are a grant recipient, you need to provide the following details on your invoice in order to be paid the grant funding.

• your details (entity’s legal name and your name, ABN, address, bank details)
• details of who you are invoicing (Australia Council, 372 Elizabeth St Surry Hills 2010 NSW, ABN 38 392 626 187)
• invoice date of issue and invoice number
• your ArtStart application ID
  

In addition to the above information, if you have an ABN and are registered for GST, you need to also include the following information on your invoice.

• the words “TAX INVOICE” stated prominently
• the grant amount
• the GST amount
• total amount (grant plus GST amount), e.g. $10,000 + $1,000 = $11,000

If you have an ABN but are not registered for GST, you need to also include the following information on your invoice.

• the word “INVOICE” stated prominently
• the grant amount only, eg, $10,000
  

• business planning advice and training
• getting an accountant or financial adviser  to assist in your understanding of book-keeping and taxation
• budgeting and financial management
• business set up costs
• legal advice – facts and issues for artists such as rights and contracts/agreements
• support services for small to medium enterprises
• advice on employing and working with other people
• advice on partnerships development and management
• training in negotiation and conflict resolution
• advice on establishing social ventures
• fundraising and grant writing advice.

• marketing skills training
• professional photographic or video documentation of artwork and productions
• creating a portfolio of work
• website set up and maintenance
• marketing and promotion - expertise and assistance
• training in public speaking/talking about your work
• training and set-up of online social marketing and networking tools
• attendance fees, accommodation for and travel to industry conferences and networking functions (e.g., art fairs), in other states, regional areas and internationally
• accommodation for and travel to residencies, internships, mentorships, galleries or theatres (for prospective production or representation), in other states, regional areas and internationally
• developing and establishing touring networks
• pressing copies of a demo CD (not to create a full length album or recording for sale)
• development and production of general marketing materials.

• develop knowledge in Indigenous cultural protocols
• occupational health & safety training
• private coaching or courses to maintain skills (e.g., short courses in your art field)
• help finding a mentor and developing a mentorship arrangement
• training to help develop and write applications for government grants and philanthropic support
• training to help develop and write sponsorship proposals
• training to help develop and write business plans
• memberships, attachments or internships with arts organisations and companies.

• purchase and hire of specialist equipment or instruments
• setting up an artist-run initiative, or resource sharing arrangement with other artists
• purchase of computers or accounting software
• office rental
• office set up costs
• meeting room hire
• visual artist’s studio space hire and set up costs
• setting up or hiring a music recording studio to record a CD for promotional purposes (not to create a full length album or recording for sale)
• setting up or hiring a dance, music or theatre rehearsal space or studio
• writers developing the means to self publish.

• skills in a relevant community language
• disability awareness training
• learning sign language
• setting up computer equipment to make your work accessible to people with access needs
• TTY access for phones for the hearing impaired
• gaining cultural awareness skills in relevant communities
• purchasing or designing of communication boards for people with intellectual disabilities (either as practitioners or participants).