Visual Arts

First Nations Emerging Career Development Award

The First Nations Emerging Career Development Award 2020 is the result of Australia Council’s Workplace Giving scheme 2019-2020. Through the generous contributions from our staff and board, $20,000 has been raised to help further the career of two (2) emerging First Nations artists or arts workers.

Applications close: 28 September 2020 for projects starting after 1 January 2021. Applications close at 3pm AEST.

Cherish II

The Cherish II 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 II Fund has been informed by the First Nations Roundtables and the sector discussions and consultations in which the themes have focused on the sector priorities and needs through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications close:  6 October 2020 for activities commencing from 1 December 2020. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

First Nations Contemporary Music Program

Australia Council for the Arts has received funding from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication through the Office of the Arts to provide grants to the First Nations Music Industry aimed at increasing development opportunities for musicians and bands.  The First Nations Contemporary Music program is one of five programs under the Australian Music Industry Package announced in the 2019-2020 Budget. 

Applications close: 6 October 2020. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

First Nations Contemporary Music Program: First Nations Music Industry Partnerships

The purpose of the Grant is to deliver funding under the Indigenous Contemporary Music Program (the Program), to provide development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands throughout Australia. It contributes to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the Department) Outcome 6.1: Participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression.

Applications close: 6 October 2020 for activities commencing from 1 December 2020. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

First Nations Contemporary Music Program: Musicians and Band support

Australia Council for the Arts has received funding from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication through the Office of the Arts to provide grants to the First Nations Music Industry aimed at increasing development opportunities for musicians and bands.  The First Nations Contemporary Music program is one of five programs under the Australian Music Industry Package announced in the 2019-2020 Budget.

Applications close: 6 October 2020 for activities commencing from 1 December 2020. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

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 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.

Nominations close: 7 December 2020. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

The Dreaming Award

The Dreaming Award was established in 2012 to support an inspirational young First Nations 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. This award will be presented at the 2021 First Nations Arts Awards.

Application close:  7 December 2020. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

ARIA-PPCA-Australia Council First Nations Sound Recording Partnership

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in partnership with the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) and the Australia Council for the Arts will deliver a grant partnership, the ARIA-PPCA-Australia Council First Nations Sound Recording Partnership.

Applications close: Tuesday 20 October 2020 for projects starting after 1 January 2021 (3pm AEDT)

Contemporary Music Touring Program

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

The CMTP is open to applications for funding with some fixed-term adjustments to the guidelines to account for COVID-19 conditions. 

The next closing date is: Tuesday 6 October 2020 for projects starting after 1 January 2021. The rounds close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

Playing Australia: Regional Performing Arts Touring Fund

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

The next closing dates is: Tuesday 6 October 2020 for projects starting after 1 January 2021. The rounds close at 3pm AEDT on the closing date.

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 close: Tuesday 24 November (3pm AEDT)

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.

Nominations are now closed.

Australia Council Awards 2021

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.

Nominations 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.

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.

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.

The next closing date is Tuesday 2 March 2021 for projects starting after 1 June 2021. The round closes at 3pm AEDT on the closing date. Application forms will be available at least six weeks before the closing date.

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.

The next closing date is Tuesday 2 March 2021 for projects starting after 1 June 2021. The round closes at 3pm AEDT on the closing date. Application forms will be available at least six weeks before the closing date.

Fellowships

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

Applications are now closed.

International Arts Strategy Outcomes Fund

Due to current restrictions on international travel, the following international opportunities will not be available: International Arts Strategy Outcomes Fund, International Residencies Program, Support to attend international markets and platforms. 

Artists and organisations seeking funding for international engagement are encouraged to apply to the Grants Program through the project categories closing Tuesday 1 September 2020 and subsequent rounds in 2021.

Leadership Program

The Leadership Program offers a dynamic suite of development opportunities for arts leaders at all career stages. The Program is made up of five components including the Arts Leaders Program, Future Leaders Program, Governance Program, Mentoring & Secondments and Scholarships & Partnerships.

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.

Co-investment opportunities

The Australia Council has a long and proud history of partnering with philanthropic foundations, corporations and individual donors to co-invest in the arts. Learn about the co-investment opportunities.

Applications are now closed.

International development opportunities

Our international activity supports artistic, market and audience development and grows the international profile of Australian arts and artists. 

Applications are now closed.