Artists bounce into action as ArtStart grants open

Today, 25 January 2010, applications open for the second round of ArtStart grants.

With over one hundred $10,000 ArtStart grants up for grabs, thousands of recent arts graduates across all artforms are expected to apply.

Aimed at artists who have graduated from an accredited artist-training scheme in the last three years, Artstart gives them help to build an income-generating career.

‘ArtStart is a terrific initiative. The transition from training to professional practice can be challenging and ArtStart offers an early career opportunity for artists to think carefully about how best to set up their business,' said Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett MP.

ArtStart grants can be used for developing skills and business support, renting studio space or tools, getting expert business advice, growing skills in marketing and promotion or putting together a portfolio.

‘ArtStart is the perfect building block for any artist looking to start their career. We hope to see a diverse range of applications from all over Australia and we are excited to be opening the grant scheme up to yet more budding Australian artists,’ said Libby Christie, Executive Director of Arts Funding at the Australia Council for the Arts.

First round success

Round one of the ArtStart initiative saw 53 successful applicants from around Australia demonstrate their commitment and long-term plans to build their arts practices. Grant recipients ranged from a lighting designer embarking on a career in theatre all the way to a music graduate developing a chamber ensemble.

“Receiving this ArtStart grant has allowed me to purchase the equipment and software needed to help turn my art into a career,” said successful first round applicant, David Kirkpatrick. ”My ultimate goal is to lay the foundations to make a living as a successful sound and multimedia artist. ArtStart has given me the opportunity to kick-start my career at such a crucial time.” 

Inspiration

Marking the launch of the second round, a video of the creation of a newly coined artform, Pogoism, was today made available to inspire eligible applicants to apply. What is Pogoism? It’s a group of pogo happy people bouncing on their pogosticks to paint a supersize masterpiece!

Pogoism - painting with pogo sticks! from artstartgrant on Vimeo.

How to apply

To apply for an ArtStart grant, applicants need to submit a written application outlining a simple five-year plan of activities they believe are important to establishing their practice. The ArtStart website guides candidates through the application process from start to finish.

Visit www.artstartgrant.com.au for ArtStart grant information and online application forms.

Media contact:

Victoria McClelland-Fletcher
0409 223 719 or 02 9215 9008