Grants for activity which directly employs South Australian professional practicing artists and arts workers. Activity may contribute to community recovery.

Independent artists may be commissioned to create and present new work or engaged to present existing work. Funding will support redevelopment of existing work for a living with COVID environment.

Artists may also be employed to undertake extended residencies to engage with communities.

A primary focus of these grants is confirmed new employment and risk mitigation for artists. Applications should include contingency planning for living-with-COVID circumstances. If activity cannot proceed due to public health restrictions, it is expected that artists will still receive payment.

Funded activity/outcomes may include:

• artistic projects with a professional outcome
• professional performance/presentation, with a focus on local and regional venues
• residencies with a community cultural development focus

Assessment Criteria

Artistic Merit

• innovation, originality, quality, creativity and ambition
• the track record, creative achievement and skill of the artist or artists involved
• the context in which the work is being undertaken
• the potential contribution to the development of the art form
• evidence of experimentation, risk taking and bravery.

Viability

• the planning and resources required to achieve the potential of the proposal
• the ability of the applicant to meet the logistical challenges of the proposal
• evidence of strong financial and operational management, including a realistic budget and timeline
• evidence of additional resources and support, including other sources of income
• in-kind contributions.

Engagement

• the potential to grow audiences and their critical understanding of the art form
• the development of new markets, locally, nationally and/or internationally
• the development of new ways to engage with those markets
• the potential to provide a broader range of people with opportunities to participate in arts experiences through strategies that increase access, social inclusion and cultural diversity
• evidence of deeper engagement with, and the involvement of, particular communities and/or audiences and the delivery of artistic benefits to them.

Impact

• the extent to which the activity aligns with and contributes to community recovery
• strength of employment outcomes for professional practicing artists.

Who can apply?

• Arts and cultural organisations (funded and unfunded) – refer to our definition of an arts and cultural organisation
• Local Government
• State Government entities, authorities, agencies, programs (ie. schools, parks and gardens, heritage sites etc)

You can apply for:

• Administration
• Commissioning fees
• Creative fees (such as performers, composers, choreographers, designers, curators)
• Producer fees
• Technical personnel and production costs
• Travel, living allowance
• Marketing costs
• Materials
• Hire of studio, venue and equipment
• Freight
• Curatorial costs, catalogue essay writer’s fees, catalogue design and printing costs
• Photography and documentation
• Exhibition costs
  The preparation of work intended for self-publishing, such as mentorship, editing and design costs (applicants must make a compelling case for self-publishing, which includes a strong track record of published work and a viable marketing/distribution plan)

What this category doesn't fund:

• Cash flow for activity where a commercial return is planned
• Projects without professional outcomes, such as amateur productions, fundraising, competitions, awards and prizes
• Costs for study for a tertiary education qualification (undergraduate, postgraduate), including projects forming part of a course of study or graduation ceremonies
• Design projects with a purely commercial outcome
• Screen-based projects aimed at the cinema, film festivals or television; media and gaming projects with a purely commercial outcome. Some activity will be eligible when incorporated into projects in other art form areas
• Start-up business costs and the purchase of basic equipment
• Manuscripts aimed at the education sector
• Framing costs
• Costs associated with self-publishing (e.g. printing costs). The preparation of work intended for self-publishing may be supported where a compelling case can be made. This would include evidence of a strong track record of published work and a viable marketing/distribution plan.

How to apply:

Read the How to Apply guidelines before you begin preparing your application.

Application information:

Apply now

See previous Arts Recovery Fund recipients.

Artist Employment Grants Key Dates