Dance

2020 Cherish Fund

The Cherish Fund is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption experienced by the First Nations arts and cultural sector and community. The Cherish Fund has been informed by the First Nations Roundtables and the sector discussions and consultations in which the emergent themes have focused on the priorities and needs analysis through the COVID-19 phases of disruption, recovery, rebuild, reimagine and reignite.

Applications are now closed

2020 Resilience Fund

The 2020 Resilience Fund is designed to provide emergency relief to support the livelihoods, practice and operations of Australian artists, groups and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are directing approximately $5M to the Resilience Fund to provide immediate relief to the Australian arts sector.

Applications to the Resilience Fund have now closed.

2020 Resilience Fund: Adapt

2020 Resilience Fund: Adapt grants are available to individuals, groups and organisations to adapt their practice and explore new ways of working. This could include skills and career development, business development, developing artistic practice, exploring new ways of connecting and collaborating inclusively, and increasing your digital capability.

Applications to the Resilience Fund have now closed.

2020 Resilience Fund: Create

2020 Resilience Fund: Create grants enable individuals, groups and organisations to continue creating artistic work and/or develop creative responses in this time of disruption.

For existing work, we will support activities at all stages of development including research, creative development and presentation.

Applications to the Resilience Fund have now closed.

2020 Resilience Fund: Survive

2020 Resilience Fund: Survive grants are available to individuals, groups and organisations to offset or recoup money lost due to cancelled activity. These grants provide stop-gap funding until relief offered by other funding agencies, government departments and support services can be accessed.

Applications to the Resilience Fund are now closed.

Arts and Disability Mentoring Initiative 2019-21

Applications are now closed.

If you are an individual artist or arts worker with disability, these grants can provide support to extend your arts practice, networks, skills and ambition.

Applications to this initiative do not count as one of your three permissible applications to the Australia Council Grants Program in a calendar year.

Future Form: Transforming arts business models

Future Form is an opportunity for small to medium arts organisations to transform and innovate their core business model. Future Form provides time and space for participants to reimagine and respond to the future. 

Participants will use a range of design techniques to interrogate the value proposition of their organisation; and identify practical solutions and next steps. The program includes a range of activities including online learning sessions, intensive residential labs, individual coaching sessions and peer support. 

Applications are now closed

Career Development Grants for Individuals and Groups

If you are an individual artist, arts worker or group of artists, a Career Development Grant can provide support to further develop your skills or improve your capacity to build an enduring career in the arts.

Applications are now closed.

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

Our Arts Projects program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences.

Applications are now closed.

Fellowships

Australia Council Fellowships support outstanding, established artists’ creative activity and professional development for a period of up to two years. 

Applications are now closed.

Arts Projects – Organisations

Our Arts Projects program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences.

Applications are now closed.

Four Year Funding for Organisations

UPDATE 3 APRIL 2020

The Australia Council has announced that 144 arts organisations will receive a share of $31.7M per annum in funding offered through the revised Four Year Funding for Organisations program. 

Rights Fund for Literature

The Australia Council is announcing its first Response Package to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.

With immediate effect, we have suspended many of our investment programs currently or due to open. Suspending programs will allow Council to concentrate our efforts on responding to the crisis situation faced by our artists and arts organisations. 

If you have submitted an application we will be in touch in the coming days.

Travel Fund for Literature

The Australia Council is announcing its first Response Package to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.

With immediate effect, we have suspended many of our investment programs currently or due to open. Suspending programs will allow Council to concentrate our efforts on responding to the crisis situation faced by our artists and arts organisations. 

If you have submitted an application we will be in touch in the coming days.

Translation Fund for Literature

International publishers may apply for a contribution towards the translation of Australian works of creative writing such as fiction, poetry, writing for children and young people, graphic novels, and narrative non-fiction (defined as autobiography, biography, essays, histories, literary criticism or analytical prose). 

Applications are now closed.

International Arts Strategy Outcomes Fund

The Australia Council is announcing its first Response Package to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.

With immediate effect, we have suspended many of our investment programs currently or due to open. Suspending programs will allow Council to concentrate our efforts on responding to the crisis situation faced by our artists and arts organisations. 

If you have submitted an application we will be in touch in the coming days.

National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21

The Council’s research has highlighted the importance of profiling, celebrating and acknowledging the achievements of trail blazers and leading lights at all stages of career development. These prestigious national awards are one of the ways we do that.

Applications are now closed.

Arts Governance Program

The Australia Council Arts Governance Program is a national opportunity for arts organisations to enhance their governance practices through a program tailored specifically to the arts. The program aims to enhance governance skills, supporting leaders to prosper and arts organisations to thrive.

Closing date: various full-day and webinar workshops available.

Playing Australia: Regional Performing Arts Touring Fund

The Regional Performing Arts Touring program supports performing arts to reach regional and remote communities across Australia. Grants are available to support the net touring costs associated with a national tour. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested. 

Applications are now closed.

Contemporary Music Touring Program

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original contemporary music.

Applications are now closed.

International residencies

International residencies provide a unique opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in a new arts context, market, community and culture. The experience enables artists to articulate their practice within a global context and build knowledge, networks and partnerships that support future international arts activity. 

Applications are now closed.

Chosen

Chosen engages artists and communities to determine program design, delivery and evaluation to ensure the successful intergenerational transfer of arts and culture knowledge from older to younger generations.

Applications are now closed.

China Professional Placements: MAAP-Media Art Asia Pacific X OCAT Shanghai

The OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (OCAT) museum group, established with OCAT Shenzhen in 2005, is a growing network of independent, non-profit contemporary art museums across China. 

OCAT’s programs focus on in-depth surveys, research, publication, and presentation of both individual artists and thematic group exhibitions. 

Applications are now closed.

First Nations Writers' Residency

The Australia Council for the Arts in partnership with Magabala Books are calling on applications for the First Nations Writers' Residency to be held in Broome between 4 -13 May 2020.

The Residency will enable 6 participants to be immersed in their craft of writing and have space to reflect and reconnect to their practice in collaboration with likeminded creatives.  It is also an opportunity to engage with Magabala Books, a leading Indigenous publishing house.

Applications are now closed.

China Professional Placements: The A.S.K (Art Space for Kids)

The A.S.K (Art Space for Kids) is China’s leading theatre for children. The A.S.K presents international productions and commissioned works in Shanghai and Beijing, and maintains a robust touring program throughout China.

The A.S.K also incorporates the Academy of Creativity, which offers education programs, workshops and summer camps for children.

Applications are now closed.

IETM Spring Plenary Meeting, Tromsø 2020

Applications are now open for support to attend the IETM Spring Plenary Meeting in Tromsø, Norway, 30 April - 3 May 2020.

The Australia Council has worked in partnership with the International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts Network (IETM) since 2009 to develop long term collaborations and co-productions between Australian and European artists. This project has now evolved into a broader engagement with European networks and partners.

Applications are now closed.

UKARIA Residency

Through a partnership between the Australia Council and UKARIA, Expressions of Interest are invited for two residencies at UKARIA in 2020.

The successful applicants will be in residence at UKARIA for a maximum of ten days for the purpose of developing new creative projects that are led by musicians and composers.

Applications are now closed.

Communicating the Arts 2019 Australia Council Delegation

The Australia Council Marketing Summit and the Leadership Program responds to the evolving arts ecology. Through these initiatives we recognise the need to support our sector’s emerging and established leaders with the skills and capabilities to lead through change. This year, to complement these ongoing activities, we are supporting 13 delegates to attend the 24th Communicating the Arts conference in Sydney.

Communicating the Arts is a three-day conference, taking place from 12-14 November in Sydney, which will explore Cultural Leadership with over 250 delegates from the visual arts, museums and performing arts around Australia. 

Applications are now closed.

Signature Works

Signature creative works impact artists, audiences and markets. The richness of creative ideas translated to an engaging experience for audiences, furthers market growth opportunities and provides an insight into the vitality and vibrancy of First Nations arts in the national and international arts landscape.

Signature Works is an invitation only opportunity

Applications are now closed.

First Nations Emerging Career Development Award

The First Nations Emerging Career Development Award 2019 is a one-off opportunity. It is the result of  Australia Council’s Workplace Giving scheme 2018-19. Through the generous contributions from our staff and board, $10,000 has been raised to help further the career of an emerging First Nations artist or arts worker. 

Nominations are now closed.

Australia Council Awards 2020

These prestigious national awards recognise outstanding and sustained contributions by Australian artists in music, literature, community arts and cultural development (CACD), emerging and experimental arts (EEA), visual arts, theatre, and dance. They are awarded by the Board of the Australia Council, informed by key industry advisors.

Applications are now closed

International Leadership Program (Indo-Pacific)

The International Leadership Program is for arts professionals from eligible Indo-Pacific countries to join two leadership programs in Australia.  Apply for a fully-funded scholarship in one of our groundbreaking programs to transform your leadership and create impact for your organisation, practice or community. Join colleagues from across our region to explore arts leadership through a different lens and learn through a range of varying experiences during your visits to Australia.

Applications are now closed.

Future Leaders Program

The Future Leaders Program is designed to transform our sectors knowledge by developing skills and capabilities of our emerging practitioners. The program brings together a group of diverse practitioners to engage with current and relevant themes affecting the future of the arts. Together, future leaders will work through the common challenges and opportunities faced within the sector today. The Future Leaders Program is a personal and professional development opportunity – it will enhance your skills and capabilities, develop your networks and provide a platform for growth. 

Applications are now closed.

Arts Leaders Program

The Arts Leaders Program is designed to transform our sector’s knowledge by developing skills and capabilities of our established practitioners. The program brings together a range of practitioners to engage with and develop the future of the arts. The Arts Leaders Program is a personal and professional development opportunity – it will enhance your skills and capabilities, develop your networks and provide a platform for growth.

Applications are now closed.

The Dreaming Award

The Dreaming Award was established in 2012 to support an inspirational young artist aged 18-30 years to create a major body of work through mentoring and partnerships. The mentor/partner will be another established professional artist or partner nominated by the artist who will guide and mentor the applicant to assist in the development of work.

Applications are now closed.

The Custodianship program

Unearthing First Nations leadership by developing different ways of knowing, being and doing. Connecting legacy between past and future generations. The Custodianship program is designed by First Nations leaders for First Nations leaders to transform sustainability in culture, practice, community and the arts.

Applications are now closed.

Contemporary Touring Initiative

The Contemporary Touring Initiative, as part of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, supports significant exhibitions of work by living contemporary visual artists and craft practitioners that reach and engage national audiences, and extend into regional communities. The grant provides up to three years of funding for the development and/or national touring of nationally significant contemporary visual arts and craft exhibitions. 

Applications are now closed.

The Red Ochre Award (Lifetime achievement)

The prestigious Red Ochre Award was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board in 1993 to pay tribute to a senior male and a senior female Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person for their outstanding lifetime achievement in the arts and their contribution to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, both nationally and internationally.

The Red Ochre Award now includes recognition of both an outstanding senior male artist and an outstanding senior female artist. Nominations for senior artists are accepted from arts and community organisations and individuals. Senior artists may not nominate themselves and nominations may only be made for a living artist. Awards will not be given posthumously.

Nominations are now closed.

Visiting International Publishers (VIPs) Program

Applications are now open for participation in the 2020 Visiting International Publishers (VIPs) program, held in conjunction with the Sydney Writers’ Festival from 27 April – 3 May.

The VIPs program strengthens relationships between Australian publishers and agents and their international counterparts, showcases Australia’s literary talent, and promotes the sale of rights to Australian titles in international markets.

Applications are now closed.

PPCA - Australia Council Partnership

You may apply for any costs primarily associated with the creation of a sound recording, which may also involve costs associated with the promotion of that recording. 

PPCA represents thousands of Australian recording artists when their music is used in public. In 2018 PPCA distributed $43.15 million to its registered artists and record labels. It is free for Australian artists to register with the PPCA.

Applications are now closed.

The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FESTPAC) - Expression of interest

FESTPAC-Hawaiʻi 2020 will feature live performances, cultural workshops, hands-on demonstrations, film, storytelling and more, exemplifying the diversity of traditional and contemporary arts and culture across Oceania.

The Australia Council for the Arts are calling for expressions of interest from individuals, groups and organisations to be part of the Australian Delegation. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations can apply. 

Applications are now closed.

If you or your community have been affected by the fires, please let us know and we will work to accommodate your needs. 

Curatorial Associates Program - Sydney X Ho Chi Minh City

The Australia Council’s Curatorial Associates Program gives Australian curators a unique opportunity to build Asia consciousness and capability, foster relationships with international artists and develop an understanding of alternative curatorial contexts.

We work in partnership with select local hosts and counterparts in South and South East Asia to support a range of experiences.

Applications are now closed.

Visual Arts and Craft Strategy – National Priorities

The Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS) delivers a nationally coordinated package of funding and support for the Australian contemporary visual arts sector that promotes creative work by living artists and craft practitioners, and the organisations that support their practice. 

This is an invitation only category for Australian visual arts organisations. 

Applications are now closed.

The Lady Mollie Isabelle Askin Ballet Scholarship & Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarship

Applications are now open for the Lady Mollie Isabelle Askin Ballet Scholarship, and the Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarship. These travelling scholarships are offered to Australian citizens with outstanding ability and promise in Ballet and Opera.

Applications are now closed.

The Marten Bequest Scholarships

The Marten Bequest Scholarships offer talented young artists the chance to explore, study and develop their artistic gifts through travelling either overseas and/or interstate.

The scholarships provide financial support under the categories acting, architecture, ballet, instrumental music, painting, poetry, prose, sculpture and singing to help talented Australian artists achieve their dreams.

Applications are now closed.