Australian artists and arts organisations have succeeded in raising more than $3 million in private sector support for arts projects and philanthropic partnerships which has been matched with more than $2.5 million provided by the Commonwealth Government through Creative Partnerships Australia.
The injection of more than $5.5 million into the Australian arts sector is through the Government’s Creative Partnerships Australia’s Plus1 and MATCH funding programs.
Minister for the Arts Senator George Brandis said recipients are to be congratulated for the innovation, creativity and drive behind their campaigns to secure private sector support.
“Successful artists and arts organisations harnessed the opportunities presented through crowdfunding platforms and social media to build professional networks, cultivate new audiences and achieve national media coverage to reach their fundraising goals to receive matched Commonwealth Government support,” said Senator Brandis.
“The Australian Government is committed to a sustainable arts sector through increased private sector support for the arts. In the recent Federal Budget the Commonwealth Government announced an additional $5.3 million over three years for Creative Partnerships Australia to continue to deliver matched funding programs for the sector and foster private sector support.”
Plus1 provides up to $50,000 in matched funding to organisations to leverage new donor and business support, build stronger and broader networks and develop fundraising skills. Some of the projects supported through the more than $2.1 million in matched funding provided under Plus1 include: the Australian Festival of Chamber Music: $85,250 raised from 32 donors and 3 businesses and $50 000 in matched funding for program and marketing costs; and Circa, Brisbane: $42,021 from 162 supporters and $40 000 in matched funding for its new project Il Ritorno, which will premiere at the Brisbane Festival in 2015.
MATCH provides up to $10,000 in dollar-for-dollar matched funding for independent artists’ crowdfunding campaigns. Some of the projects supported through the more than $326,000 in matched funding provided under MATCH include: Underbelly Arts Festival: $18,841 in private sector support and $16,000 in matched funding for two MATCH campaigns, which supported a total of six projects to appear at the Festival on Cockatoo Island in August; and Creative Mullumbimby: $10,941 from 84 supporters and $10,000 in matched funding for the Mullumbimby sculpture walk, Mullumbimby NSW.
Creative Partnerships Australia works to increase investment in Australia’s arts and cultural sector by investing in the professional and business development of the sector and by working with businesses and philanthropists to facilitate and champion arts partnerships and investment.
Creative Partnerships Australia recently released Plus1 program guidelines for 2015-16 and applications are now open. For more information, visit: www.creativepartnershipsaustralia.org.au for details.
Image: Circa’s Il Ritorno – photo by Damien Bredberg