Selection criteria- theatre

This commentary is designed to help applicants address the theatre board’s selection criteria.

It is a guide only and we are not suggesting that you must answer each question or that you use it as the format for your application. Read it, take note of what is relevant to your project, and then tell us in your own way what you want to do.

An artistic rationale for the activity as a vital contribution to the development of high-quality contemporary theatre.

This criterion assesses the underlying reason for your proposed activity and the extent to which it develops or promotes contemporary theatre. We want to know why you want to do it and how you see it interacting with the greater world.

By contemporary theatre, we mean work that is intensely attuned to your particular time and place, to the extent that this affects the work that you make and the way that you make the work. It means that you are investigating, testing and taking artistic risks in the interests of creating work that is authentic to the present. It means you are relying on established ideas and forms only to the extent that they are pertinent to this task. Contemporary also implies a wider awareness of current and past developments in theatre in particular, and in culture and society more generally.

Think about the following questions:

Have you clearly stated the artistic aims of your activity?
Have you helped us understand how and why you make your creative decisions?
Have you articulated the context in which you create work?
How is your activity contemporary, as defined above?
If your activity has a public outcome, what kind of impact do you expect it will have locally, nationally or internationally?
For professional development activity, have you clearly articulated the relevance of the opportunity to your professional development?

Artistic or professional skills appropriate to the activity

This criterion assesses the skills and experience of the artists and other professionals in the context of your proposed activity. We look at all the skills gathered for the activity and on their interaction, not just the reputation of particular artists alone. We also acknowledge that unlikely combinations of people can kindle great work – if this is your approach, explain your thinking to us.

In using this criterion, we take into account the biographies within the application. We may also use any knowledge that board members have derived from attendance at performances, your company’s history (if applicable), the evidence within support material you have submitted and press reviews of previous work.

Think about the following questions:

Is the biographical material you are submitting relevant to the proposed activity?
Have you clearly outlined the roles and responsibilities of each team member?
How will less experienced members of your team be supported and their skills developed?
Are you proposing unusual collaborations that may need more explanation?

Contribution to the diversity of Australian theatre

This is where we assess whether your activity is adding to the rich variety of cultural practices within Australian theatre. Diversity is found in the different cultural backgrounds of the artists, audiences and communities involved, in the multiplicity of regional voices, and in the wide range of artform practices that constitute ‘theatre’ in Australia.

Think about the following questions:

Are there artists in key creative roles from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds?
Is their cultural background intended to have an artistic influence on the activity and, if so, what effect will this have?
Is your activity happening outside of the major metropolitan areas and, if so, will this have an artistic influence?
Is your activity using or developing artform practices not widely represented in Australian theatre and, if so, what effect will this have?

Good planning and effective use of resources

This criterion assesses your capability to plan, resource and evaluate your activity. This criterion is mainly practical and has a focus on such things as logistics, financial and human resources, project management, marketing plans, evaluation strategies, effective budgeting, appropriate partners and supporters, effective cultural protocols and community liaison.

For key organisations grant applicants, the criterion also assesses your organisation’s governance and longer term planning.

Evidence is necessary for this criterion. We will carefully consider your budget and any letters confirming other support you have negotiated.

Think about the following questions:

Have all potential sources of support been identified and sought, and if not, why not?
Is your budget clear, and does it add up?
Have all artists confirmed their participation?
Where relevant, have presenting partners confirmed the details of their support?
If there is a public outcome, what are your strategies for promoting the activity?
If it is a developmental activity, how will you evaluate the result?
Have appropriate cultural and community protocols been observed?