Melbourne trials new Quick Response Arts Grants
Media Release
A new program of Quick Response Arts Grants is being trialled by the City of Melbourne, in a bid to give the city’s creative communities more flexible access to funding.
Artists, creative practitioners and organisations can now apply for up to $4,000 in funding at any time, with support considered for unforeseen or unexpected opportunities arising at short notice.
This includes new works, specific elements of a larger project or for taking a project to another level.
Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, Councillor Rohan Leppert, said the trial would test Council’s ability to cut down wait times, providing vital funding for creative activities which add to the life and colour of the city.
“We’ve taken on board the creative community’s feedback by giving a new opportunity to access grants,” Cr Leppert said.
“These new quick response grants are open to artists and creatives across all disciplines, from music and dance to theatre and visual arts.”
The quick response model will see grant applications assessed on a monthly basis, with an initial pool of $49,000 set aside for the trial.
“The City of Melbourne is committed to investing in the arts and fostering our city’s creative community,” Cr Leppert said.
“While we continue to encourage applicants for the Annual Arts Grants Program, these quick response grants will allow us to respond to artistic events or programs which arise outside the normal timeframes.”
The outcome must be activated within the City of Melbourne, with the artist given six months to complete the work described in their grant application.
Grants are available to artists, creatives and small to medium arts organisations across all disciplines, backgrounds and career stages.
The Quick Response Arts Grants trial will run until 20 September 2019. Emerging artists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are encouraged to apply.
For more information, or to apply, visit the City of Melbourne Quick Response Arts Grants website.
City of Melbourne Media Adviser: Patrick Phillips, 0427 723 437
(03) 9658 8736 / patrick.phillips@Melbourne.vic.gov.au
Visit the City of Melbourne's Online Media Centre: www.Melbourne.vic.gov.au/mediacentre