Visual Arts

Career Development Grants for Individuals and Groups

If you are an individual artist, arts worker or group of artists, this grant can provide support to further develop your skills or improve your capacity to build an enduring career. Grants are available from $5,000 to $25,000. 

The Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for this category. 

Closing date:  Tuesday 4 February 2020 11.59pm (AEST) for projects starting after 1 May 2020.

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 Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for this category.

Closing date: Tuesday 4 February 2020 11.59pm (AEST) for projects starting after 1 May 2020. 

Fellowships

The Australia Council offers one grant round each year for Fellowships. 

Closing date: Tuesday 2 June 2020 11.59pm (AEST).

Arts Projects – Organisations

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Only organisations are eligible to apply. Grants are available from $10,000 to $100,000.

The Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for this category.

Closing date: Tuesday 4 February 2020 11.59pm (AEST) for projects starting after 1 May 2020. 

Four Year Funding for Organisations

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now closed.

The Four Year Funding program provides multi-year funding for arts organisations. This funding will enable organisations delivering an artistic program or services for the arts to plan with longer term certainty, and increase their capacity to leverage other support and collaborations.

Organisations must demonstrate a high degree of artistic achievement, or a high quality of services for the arts, along with a compelling four year vision for the period 2021 - 2024. To be competitive, organisations also need to show they are well governed, effectively managed, and generate diverse income streams.

The Australia Council for the Arts notified Four Year Funding for Organisations EOI applicants via email on Monday 12 August 2019. 

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 close: 3 December 2019 (11:59PM AEDT)

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 close:  3 December 2019 (11:59PM AEDT)

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.

Closing date: 3 December 2019 (11:59PM AEST)

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. 

International residencies currently open:

Rights Fund for Literature

The Rights Fund for Literature assists to stimulate rights, translation and international market opportunities for Australian authors. Support is available for literary agents, rights managers and publishers to attend international markets such as book fairs to sell rights in Australian works. Support is available for the promotion 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).

Round 1 closes: 12 November 2019 for activity from 1 January 2020 – 31 August 2020

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). 

Funding is available to contribute to the translator’s fee and/or author’s advance only.

Australian publishers may also apply to support Australian translators producing foreign language works for local publication.

Round 1 closes: 12 November 2019 for activity from 1 January 2020 – 31 August 2020

Travel Fund for Literature

Individuals or international literary organisations may apply to support authors to travel to attend events or activities associated with publication and promotion of their work overseas.

This funding is to assist with international air fares and other travel costs associated with participation in literary festivals, tours or other promotional events.

There is no closing date for this opportunity. 

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.

Closing date: 4 November 2019 

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.

Closing date: 28 October 2019 11.59pm (AEST) 

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. 

Closing date: 22 October 2019

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. 

Closing date: 28 October 2019 11.59pm (AEST)

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.

Closing date: 28 October 2019 11.59pm (AEST) 

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.

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.

Closing date: 4 November 2019 11.59pm(AEST). 

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.

Closing date: 4 November 2019 11.59pm(AEST). 

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.

Closing date: Thursday 30 January 2020 11.59pm AEDT (or earlier if application limit is met) 

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.

Closing date: Thursday 30 January 2020 11.59pm AEDT for proposals starting after 1 July 2020. 

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. 

Closing date: Tuesday 4 February 2020 11.59pm (AEST) for projects starting after 1 May 2020

Contemporary Music Touring Program

The Contemporary Music Touring Program supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original contemporary music. It provides support of up to $15,000 for tours in Australia that include performances in regional and remote areas.  Up to an additional $15,000 can be requested for remote and very remote touring. 

Closing date: Tuesday 4 February 2020 11.59pm (AEST) for projects starting after 1 May 2020. 

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. 

Closing date: Tuesday 4 February 2020

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.

Closing date: Tuesday 31 October 11.59pm (AEST).

Arts and Disability Mentoring Initiative 2019-21

Applications for the 2019 round are now closed.

The Australia Council for the Arts is offering six grants of $30,000 in each Arts and Disability Mentoring Initiative round. 

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.

International Arts Strategy Outcomes Fund

The International Arts Strategy Outcomes Fund supports opportunities that directly arise from strategic initiatives delivered by the Australia Council in the target international regions under the International Arts Strategy: Europe, North America, North Asia, South and South East Asia. The fund prioritises outcomes that directly involve and benefit Australian artists, for example tours, presentations, exhibitions and translations of Australian work.

Closing date: Tuesday 17 September 11.59pm (AEST).

First Nations Emerging Career Development Award

Nominations are now closed

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. 

National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21

The Australia Council National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21 celebrate the work and achievements of both established and emerging artists, and the significant contribution of artists with disability to the vibrancy of Australian arts. 

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 2020

The Australia Council Awards acknowledge the contribution that Australian artists have made to the arts and cultural life of the nation.

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.

The Australia Council is now calling for nominations for its 2020 awards.

Applications are now closed