The Australia Council will deliver $5.8 million to support close to 200 arts projects, including career development, regional touring and international opportunities for Australian artists.
The latest round sees a continued trend of strong First Nations-led projects funded through all areas of arts practice. Female-identified artists also continue to fare well receiving 59% of funding to individual artists in this round.
Overall, the funding will support 114 individuals, 30 groups and 48 organisations. Australia Council Executive Director, Grants and Engagement, Frank Panucci congratulates all successful grant recipients in what was another highly competitive round. “We continue to receive a high volume of high-quality applications across all areas of arts practice.” he said.
Although we are unable to support all applications, the opportunity for further investment in Australia’s creative potential is strongly demonstrated, in addition to the 192 projects supported in this round, a further 203 projects totaling $6.9 million were assessed by peers as being of high merit and deserving support.
Among the diverse activity funded, the grants will support:
• Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation to take five female First Nations designers from West Arnhem Land to present their work in Paris during Fashion Week.
• A new interactive exhibition project by The Big Anxiety Festival, tackling stigma surrounding mental health.
• South-west Sydney based hip hop artist Sukhdeep Singh (aka L-Fresh the Lion) to support the release of his new album.
• First Nations writer Graham Akhurst to pursue career development opportunities in New York.
The Australia Council received a total of 1,367 applications for funding across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts, community arts and cultural development, dance, emerging and experimental arts, literature, multi-art form, music, theatre and visual arts. These were peer assessed by panels made up of 111 industry experts from across the country.
Applications for the next grants round close 4 June 2019. For more information, visit: www.australiacouncil.gov.au for details.
Image: Graham Akhurst – photo by Condy Canuto, ATSIS Unit (UQ)