Support for mid-career artists to create new work

A grant of $20,000 
Applications for this grant close on 18 April 2012
Decisions will be advised in July 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 August 2012

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About the grant

Amount: $20,000. Please note you may only apply for this fixed amount.

New Work – mid-career grants support the creation of new work by mid-career craftspeople, designers, media artists, visual artists and arts writers.

Proposals can be submitted for costs related to making or researching new work or with the development of work for an exhibition, production and/or publication.

New Work mid-career grants are for craftspeople, designers, media artists, visual artists and arts writers with more than five years’ continuous professional experience or who consider themselves to be mid-career for other reasons.

Do not include exhibition venue details in your application unless you have written confirmation from the venue.

Out-of-time applications are not accepted to this category.

Applications are not accepted for participation in art fairs.

Applicants seeking funding for exhibition costs should consider the Australian Artists' grant. This program is administered by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) on behalf of the Visual Arts Board. It is available to individual artists for costs associated with the public presentation of work. For information, including specific eligibility and selection criteria, contact NAVA at www.visualarts.net.au

Contact

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their application with the relevant Australia Council team member. For further information, or to discuss your proposal, please contact:

       Sandy Saxon
       Program Officer, Visual Arts
       Phone 02 9215 9020, s.saxon@australiacouncil.gov.au  

Support for mid-career artists to create new work

A grant of $20,000
Applications for this grant close on 18 April 2012
Decisions will be advised in July 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 August 2012

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Eligibility

This category is open to individuals and groups of artists. 

The Visual Arts Board will not redress errors in applications. If an application is deemed ineligible, it will not be assessed.

Your application will be considered ineligible, if:

• You do not meet the general eligibility requirements
• You are currently undertaking undergraduate studies
• You have received a Fellowship from any Australia Council board
• You have not included all the required information and support material
• Your support material is not in one of the file formats specified for the category to which you are applying.

How often can you apply?

In 2012 applicants can only apply to ONE of the following Visual Arts Board categories - New Work, Skills and Arts Development or Fellowships (this does not include the cross-Council Creative Australia Fellowships).  

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

Selection criteria

 Applications will be selected that best demonstrate:

• A high degree of artistic merit to date
• The potential for innovation in the content and development of the new work.

Selection process

An assessment panel will assess applications according to the selection criteria above. The outcomes will be published in an Assessment Meeting Report.

For more information on the assessment process, please see the page on Assessment of applications in the Information for applicants section.

Support for mid-career artists to create new work

A grant of $20,000
Applications for this grant close on 18 April 2012
Decisions will be advised in July 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 August 2012

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How to apply

You are encouraged to apply online for this category. To begin an online application, use the 'Apply online' button in the right-hand column. Please select 'Visual Arts' when prompted to choose a board for your application.

For other ways to apply, please see the information on making an application in the Funding Guide for 2012.

You have until midnight (AEST) on the advertised closing date to complete and submit your online application. If you choose to submit your support material online we strongly recommend applying well in advance to avoid technical or other difficulties that may occur. Technical assistance is only available during business hours (AEST) at OperationsServicedesk@australiacouncil.gov.au

If you choose to submit hardcopy support material you must mail it on or before the closing date.

Supporting materials

For your application to be eligible for assessment, you must include the following required support material with your application by the closing date.

We recommend you also read the FAQs section.

 

All applicants must submit ONE of the following:

Images

• 10 images of previous work (20 for groups) either uploaded OR posted on a non-rewriteable CD ROM

- in PowerPoint format 

- one image per slide, on a black background

- do not include text in presentation

- maximum file size is 70mb

OR

Video and moving image

• A two mintue show reel (.mp4 or Quicktime .mov files only) either uploaded (up to 70mb) OR posted on a high quality non-authored DVD (up to 100mb).

Note: Artists working with moving images must not provide still images as their support material.

 

OR

Writers Only

• A sample of writing

          One writer: attach no more than 12 x A4 pages, two of which may be an abstract of your writing project (.pdf)

          Several writers: limit of two pages per writer as a separate document (.pdf).

Support Material before assessment meeting

To be eligible, applicants must submit the following material by 30 June 2012 

For the presentation of work, applicants must provide:

• Names and written confirmation and availability of the artists and other professionals involved
• Written confirmation of venues or invitations to exhibit.

In line with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts policy and its principles, the Australia Council requires that applications for projects containing representations of artistic/cultural practice or intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists or communities must provide letters from relevant communities or artists. Letters must show clear evidence of support and agreement for the activities undertaken. In preparing your application, you may wish to consult Indigenous protocol guides in song, performance, writing, media arts and visual arts.

Important information

Any additional support material supplied will not be considered in the assessment of your application.

Contact the visual arts board staff if you need advice on the most suitable support material to include with your application or when you must submit your support material.

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 mid-career artists to create new work

A grant of $20,000
Applications for this grant close on 18 April 2012
Decisions will be advised in July 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 August 2012

 

New Work - Mid-career 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.

How do I apply?

Before you begin working on an application you should read the grant guidelines on the website, and ensure you check the selection criteria, eligibility and support material requirements. We recommend you register to apply via the online application system. If you are applying for a grant as an individual, register under a group name. For more detailed information read the Online grant applications section of the website. Online applications and support material must be submitted by midnight on the advertised closing date. Important: please note that assistance from staff is only available between 9am and 5pm (AEST).

If you cannot access the online system you can ask for a printed copy of the application form to be mailed to you by Australia Council staff. Hardcopy applications and support material must be post-marked on or before the closing date.

What kind of support material should I submit?

It is important that you read the support material guidelines on the website closely. Ensure that the material you submit is in the correct file format. If you do not submit the required support material in the correct format your application may be ineligible.

Applicants submitting a hardcopy application must include support material with their application and ensure it is sent on or before the closing date. Online applicants can submit their support material online or in hard copy format, on or before the closing date.

Am I applying to the right category?

You should carefully consider the purpose of each category, its eligibility requirements and required support material, and then decide which category best meets the needs of your project.

If after reading all the available information you are still unsure, it may be a good idea to discuss your project with a Visual Arts staff member. Your application may be ineligible if you submit it under the wrong category.

What kinds of projects are funded through this category?

The purpose of the New Work category is to assist artists and arts writers to create new work. Proposals can be submitted for costs related to making or researching new work or with the development of work for an exhibition, production, and/or publication.

Grants can cover living expenses and/or assist with costs incurred in making or researching work; such as equipment, material and travel costs.

Applications are not accepted for participation in art fairs.

Am I an 'early career', 'mid-career' or 'established' artist?

The Australia Council defines 'early career' artists as professional, practicing artists who are in the early stages of their career. This can be understood as an artist in the first five years of their professional practice, who is generally aged 30 years and under but may also consider themselves to be emerging for other reasons.

Important: the Visual Arts Board has introduced new eligibility criteria to the New Work - Early Career category for 2012. If you have received two or more Visual Arts Board grants you are INELIGIBLE to apply to the early career category. You can apply to either the mid-career or established categories. If you are unsure, please check with the Visual Arts staff as it may mean your application is made ineligible.

In 2012 the Visual Arts Board introduced a sub-category for mid-career artists. The mid-career category is for craftspeople, designers, media artists, visual artists and arts writers who have more than five years' continuous professional experience or who consider themselves to be mid-career for other reasons.

The established category is for craftspeople, designers, media artists, visual artists and arts writers who have considerable professional experience or who consider themselves to be established for other reasons.

If you are still unsure, we recommend that you read over the past Assessment Meeting Reports. This is a good way to gauge where you sit amongst peers. It can also be useful to discuss this with your peers and other arts professionals.

Can I receive funding for activities that have already occurred?

No, the Visual Arts Board will not fund projects retrospectively. The purpose of the New Work category is to support projects that involve the development and creation of new work. Projects may begin on or after 1 August 2012.

If you have completed a significant proportion of the project prior to 1 August 2012, then your application may be ineligible.

Does this grant fund exhibitions?

Applicants seeking funding for exhibition costs should consider the Janet Holmes à Court artists' grant. This program is administered by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) on behalf of the Visual Arts Board. It is available to individual artists for costs associated with the public presentation of work. For information, including specific eligibility and selection criteria, contact NAVA at www.visualarts.net.au

How many times can I apply as an Individual?

Individual applcants can only apply to one of the following categories - New Work, Skills and Arts Development or Fellowships in a calendar year.

Recipients of New Work or Skills and Arts Development grants in 2011 that have been acquitted may apply for another Visual Arts Board grant in 2012.

We are submitting a group application, should I register to apply as a group or an individual?/ We wish to submit an application as a group, how do we do this?

The Australia Council defines a group as individual artists who join together informally to collaborate in the creation, development or presentation of work. Groups can include just two individuals. Groups must either nominate a member of the group to take legal and financial responsibility for the grant, or arrange for it to be administered by a legally constituted organisation. This person or organisation is called the administering body. The group member administering the grant may also choose to be the contact for the application.

When submitting a group application online, you must register under the group's name on the online application system as a group by ticking "group" when it asks you "Are you registering as..." The group name you use will be the name you enter under "What is your organisation and group name". You cannot submit a group application if you have registered and logged on as an individual.

Please make sure you read the support material guidelines for group applications on the website. If you are unsure whether you should be applying as a group or individual, please contact Visual Arts staff. 

Our group includes international artists. What kind of support material should we submit?

The Visual Arts Board will only support Australian professional artists. If your group has more than two members and includes international artists, you should only include support material (including a CV) for each Australian artist. You should, however submit  a letter from the international artist(s) confirming their participation in the project. If you collaborate with one other artist who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you should apply as an individual and submit a confirmation letter only from that artist.

If I have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and am applying as an individual, am I required to have my grant administered?

If you have an ABN you do not need to have your application administered, do not need to complete the administering body section of the applicaiton. Online applicants should complete the administering body section of the application. Online applicants should tick "yes" when it asks whether you will be assuminhg legal and financial responsbility for the grant should one be awarded. You will then be asked to enter your ABN. Enter 11 digits with no spaces.

I am applying online and am having problems uploading support material. What should I do?

You may be experiencing one of the following problems:

• You are attempting to upload a large file. There is a file size limit of 70mb and files approaching this size may take some time to upload, even using a fast connection.
• You may have a slow internet connection. Dial-up connections or slow broadband connections will make a big difference in terms of how long it takes to upload the file. For example, uploading a relatively small file 1mb in size using a dial-up connection may take around 10 minutes. Larger files will take much longer.
• You may be trying to upload a file with a file name that is too long. The character limit for a file is 86 characters. Files with more than 86 characters in the name (including the 3-letter file extension) cannot be uploaded.
• You may be attempting to upload the file during a high-traffic period. If a big closing date is approaching a large number of applicants will be attempting to upload their files around the same time. This can slow down our server.
• If you are using a work computer, your organisation's proxy server may time out after a certain period. If this happens you should speak with your organisation's IT staff.

What to do:

• Try again and wait. Uploading files often takes much longer than anticipated and your computer may appead to be idle when it is in fact still uploading.
• Try an alternative computer or internet connection if you are able to access one.
• Upload support material well in advance of the closing date.
• Upoad a small test file - i.e. create a one-page document on your computer and try to upload that to see if it works. You can easily delete this document from your application afterwards.
• Rename your file if it has more than 86 characters in the file name.

If you continue to experience difficulties you should click on the 'Help' icon in the top right-hand corner of the online application page. Technical assistance is available on OperationsServicedesk@australiacouncil.gov.au or 1800 226 912 only during business hours. For this reason we strongly recommend applying well in advance to avoid technical or other difficulties that may occur.

I am applying online, can I submit hard copy support material?

Yes, you can select to 'send your support material by post' in the online application form. Hard copy support material must be submitted either by hand at the Australia Council offices in Sydney, by 5pm on the closing date; or by mail, in which case it must be POST-MARKED on or before the closing date.

Please ensure all hard copy support material you submit is marked clearly with your full name, address, application reference number and is supplied in a single package. If you do not include all the required information your application may be deemed ineligible.

Can undergraduate students apply?/ I am currently undertaking an undergraduate degree but will be completed/graduated when the grant project will be carried out. Can I still apply?

If you are an undergraduate student at the time of applying or during your project, your application will be ineligible.

Can I get feedback on my application before I submit it?

Australia Council program officers do not decide whether an application is successful or not - board members assess applications. Staff cam provide general advice but will not read applications or provide feedback before they are submitted.

Past Assessment Meeting Reports include feedback from the board  on what impressed and frustrated them most when assessing a particular roud. We suggest you read these comments before preparing your application.

How will my application be assessed?

Applications, which include the project description, CV and support material, are sent to the board members and peer advisors before the assessment meeting. The board members review the material and give preliminary scores against each selection criterion. During the assessment meeting discussions final scoring takes place before funding decisions are confirmed.

Grants are offered based on the merit of a proposal in competition wtih all the other applications for funding. Due to limited funds, this means that many worthwhile proposals cannot be supported.

Given the high number of applications assessed the board is unable to provide specific comments about each application. General comments and feedback are provided in the Assessment Meeting Report, which is published online after each assessment meeting.

Can I submit images of work in progress?

Yes, you can submit mock-ups or sketches of work in progress but it is important that you acknowledge them correctly in your image list. Please note that the board looks at your visual support material to assess artistic merit. Therefore, we recommend the majority of works you choose to submit as support material are good quality documentation of recent, finished work.

What time do online applications close?

Online applications and support material must be submitted by midnight on the advertised closing date. Applications received after that time will not be accepted. Important: please note that assistance from staff is only available between 9am and 5pm (AEST). 

Does the Visual Arts Board fund film and television projects?

If you have established 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. Profesional and business development assistance for screen practitioners is offered through Screen Australia www.screenaustralia.gov.au

What is the amount of fundig I can apply for?

You can apply for a fixed amount of money under the New Work category. Early career artists can apply for $10,000, mid-career and established artists can apply for $20,000.

Please note that applicants are not required to submit a budget as part of their application.

What kinds of expenses does the grant cover?

You may apply for any costs that allow you to achieve your proposed project. As the purpose of the category is to create new work, funding is usually sought for costs such as: living expenses; equipment; materials; travel and other expenses associated with exhibitions, research and writing projects.

Can I apply for money to buy new equipment e.g. a computer or kiln?

Yes, provided it is used directly as part of the creation of new work.

What should I write in the detailed description box?

Online and hard copy applications provide a limited space for applicants to describe their projects. This is deliberate; board members read hundreds of applications each round so project descriptions need to be clear and concise. Write what you intend to do; explain why you are interested and passionate about particular issues, materials, media etc. You can also write about your processes and concepts - anything that is important to the project and will make your application stand out.

Can I attach extra information to my application?

No, do not supply extra information beyond that requested in the application form and support material guidelines. Any additional material will not be considered in the assessment of your application.

The Visual Arts Board will accept confirmation letters. For the presentation of work, applicants must provide:

• Names and written confirmation and availability of the artists and other professionals involved
• Written confirmation of venues or invitations to exhibit.

Confirmation letters can be submitted along wtih your application or emailed directly to Visual Arts staff and will be accepted up until 30 June 2012. Please note that confirmation letters are the only documents that will be accepted via email. Any other application material sent by fax or email will deem your application ineligible.

What details should I include in the artists' abridged curricula vitae section? / We are applying as a group, how many curricula vitae should we submit?

Record professional achievements over the last 10 years in bullet point down the page (do not type across the page). Use the following headings: education, solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, publications, grants/awards etc.

Individual applicants should simply fill in their details in the 'Artist 1' text box then go directly to the next question.

If you are applying as a group of artists you will need to provide CVs for up to five members of your group. Five text boxes will appear on your screen and you should complete one for each group member. If you have fewer than five group members you should leave the remaining boxes empty and go to the next question. If you have more than five members please contact Visual Arts staff. Do no include CVs for international artists that may be participating in your project.

Applicants that do not include a CV for each key artist will be made ineligible.

When can my project start and finish?

You must indicate the date you intend to start your project and the date you estimate your project will be completed. Important: you cannot begin your project before 1 August 2012. Your project may span more than 12 months.

When nominating a start date you should consider when you will require access to the funds. We pay artists six weeks before their recorded start state, so enter a date that factors in expenses you need to pay in advance, such as international airfares.

If you are applying for funds to work on the next stage of an existing project, your start date should be the date this new stage is due to begin. If you are unsure of an exact end date provide your best estimate based on your knowledge of the project. You can notify us later if that date is likely to change.

When will I find out if I have been successful in my grant application?

Please do not contact the Australia Council to find out if your grant application has been successful. Notification dates for grant decisions are advised under each grant category on the Australia Council website. You will recieve a formal letter by post or email notifying you of the outcome of your grant application by this date. Please inform us promptly of any change of address or contact details.