ARTSTART

The ArtStart program supports a career or business development strategy for your arts practice. It can include support for services, resources, skills development and equipment to help develop a sustainable career in the arts practice you have studied. Grants of up to $10,000 are available.

Closing dates

In 2015, applications to the ArtStart program close on:

3 March (for activity taking place 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016)

1 September (for activity taking place 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2016)

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately 12 weeks after the closing date.

Who can apply

ArtStart is only open to individuals. To be eligible you:

• must have completed an accredited creative arts course (Certificate IV or above) in the last three years; or

• will complete an accredited creative arts course before the project start date for each round.

To be considered to have completed your creative arts course you must have finished the last subject needed for your qualification in 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015. You must be able to provide a copy of your completed official academic transcript before 30 June 2015 for the March closing date and before 31 December 2015 for the September closing date.

Who can’t apply

You can’t apply for a grant if you:

  • intend to undertake or are enrolled in formal study (Certificate IV or above) during the ArtStart grant period (includes non-creative arts courses such as a Diploma of Education)
  • have already received an ArtStart grant - a recipient can receive only one ArtStart grant during their career
  • received a grant, or administered a grant, from the Australia Council in the past and that grant has not been satisfactorily acquitted
  • owe money to the Australia Council.

ArtStart supports practicing artists whose primary role is the creation of art rather than the documentation, organisation or promotion of other peoples' art.ArtStart does not fund applications from:

  • graphic designers
  • fashion designers
  • journalists
  • photojournalists
  • film makers
  • curators
  • editors
  • producers (music, theatre or otherwise)

Artists who are also curators, producers, or editors are eligible to apply, if the application is for their own creative practice, rather than their practice as a curator, producer or editor.

What you can apply for

You can apply for range of costs and activities associated with establishing a business or professional practice as a creative practitioner. The grant money can be used to:

  • raise your profile
  • set up a studio practice
  • pay for business advice
  • work with a mentor
  • purchase tools of trade
  • and more.

What you can’t apply for

You can’t apply for the following:

  • costs or activities associated with the development or presentation of creative works
  • living expenses
  • the purchase of major items of capital expenditure. The grant may be used to cover smaller items of equipment but this expenditure must not exceed 50% of the grant value requested.
  • activities that have already taken place.

Peer assessment

Your application will be assessed by a panel of peers. The peers will be representative of a range of areas relevant to the assessment criteria.

Assessment criteria

Peers will assess your application against the following criteria:

  • the potential quality of your artistic practice
  • your demonstrated commitment and the commitment of potential partners
  • the viability of your proposed goals and activities.

Application form

The application form for ArtStart is onlinehere.

The questions we ask in the application form are:

  1. Give a brief description of your artistic practice/the work you make. Provide the URL of a website where examples of your work can be viewed or heard.
  2. What are your three most significant artistic achievements of the last three years? Include a description of the work, performance, recording or publication, if applicable.
  3. What goals do you aim to have achieved in five years time?
  4. What are the key activities you’ll need to undertake to achieve these goals?
  5. Which of these activities would you undertake in the next 12 months with your ArtStart grant?
  6. How would the activities you propose in question five assist you in establishing a professional art practice and why are they important?
  7. How will you measure the success of the activities you undertake over the 12 month period?
  8. Who is the audience for or buyer of your work?
  9. How much income are you aiming to earn from your arts practice over the 12 months of the ArtStart grant?

We'll also ask you to provide a projected budget which details the expenses, income and in-kind support for your ArtStart activities.

Support material

You must submit the following support material with your application:

·three testimonials of up to 200 words

·your official academic transcript showing the successful completion of all requirements for your relevant qualification.

If your application is successful we may ask for further proof of your course completion before we pay your grant. If you are still completing your course at the time of application, please contact us to discuss.

Frequently asked questions

What do you mean by ‘completed an accredited creative arts course’?

To be eligible, you must have undertaken an accredited creative arts course and have successfully completed all requirements for the award of your qualification. Qualifications may be attained at a Certificate IV level through to a post graduate degree.

I have a qualification from an institution in another country. Can I apply?

Please contact us to discuss your eligibility. Please note that you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to be eligible to apply for an ArtStart grant.

Do I have to provide a URL of my work?

Question one of the application asks for a web address (URL) where your work can be viewed or heard. If you currently do not have work online, you will need to upload some before submitting your application.

What is capital expenditure?

Up to 50 percent of the ArtStart grant can be spent on capital expenditure. Capital expenditure includes:

· Non consumable items, goods and equipment that will last you more than one financial year. Items you might apply for that are capital expenditure could include but are not limited to a computer, video camera, easel, kiln or instrument.

·Improving an existing fixed asset that you own is considered capital expenditure. For example, if you own your own studio and add sound-proofing to the walls. If you rent a studio and make improvements it is not considered capital expenditure.

Spending more than 50% of your ArtStart grant on capital expenditure will make your application ineligible.

Who are suitable people to write the 200 word testimonials?

You should approach people who are suitably placed to comment on the benefit of your proposed ArtStart plan to your career development. This could include teachers, trainers, potential partners mentioned in your application, or other artists. Statements should be signed and dated by the author of the testimonial.