Craft Victoria is holding an information session which will discuss how to apply for an exhibition, how to prepare a funding proposal and why exhibition design is so important.

Speakers include Anita Budal, exhibition designer at Parallel Studios; Christabel Harvey, Program Manager in Arts Development at Arts Victoria; and Nella Themelios, Coordinating Curator at Craft Victoria.

The session will be useful for anyone proposing an exhibition but may also help participants to prepare an exhibition proposal for Craft Victoria's 2011 program.

The session will be held Monday 15 February 2010 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at 31 Flinders Lane Melbourne. 

Attendance is free for Craft Victoria members and $10.00 for non-members.

Tags: Workshop - Melbourne - Victoria

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The Australia Council for the Arts is accepting applications from artists, designers and artworkers for their ArtStart grants program. The program provides financial assistance to recent creative arts graduates who are committed to established a career as a professional artist.

Graduates who plan to earn income or gain income as a professional artist in the visual arts, hybrid and media arts, performing arts, literature or in community arts and cultural development may apply.

Grants are provided to fund services, resources and activities that help graduate artists to build an income-generating career in the arts practice they have studied. ArtStart does not fund the creation of new creative works or support the development of one off performances or exhibitions.

Individual artists from all art forms may apply for a grant up to $10,000. An artist can receive only one ArtStart grant in their career.

You are eligible to apply for ArtStart in 2010 if you have completed the last subject needed for your qualification in 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010. If you completed the last subject needed for your qualification in 2006, but graduated in 2007 you are not eligible to apply.

ArtStart grants are not intended to cover the living expenses of the recipient artist. The grants should be used specifically for costs associated with establishing a business or professional practice as an artist.

The Australia Council has developed the following list of potential activities, services or goods that they think many artists might consider important. However the list is not definitive and if you can think of other activities not listed you can include them.

Business skills and costs
– Business planning advice and training
– Getting an accountant or financial adviser and understanding book-keeping, taxation
– Budgeting and financial management
– Business set up costs
– Legal advice: facts and issues for artists such as rights and contracts/agreements
– Support services for small to medium enterprises
– Advice on employing and working with other people
– Advice on partnerships development and management
– Training in negotiation and conflict resolution
– Advice on establishing social ventures

Training and skills development
– Develop knowledge in Indigenous cultural protocols
– Occupational health & safety training
– Develop skills for planning a tour
– Private coaching or courses to maintain skills (e.g., acting, voice)
– Computer software courses
– Training to help with writing grant applications
– Training for developing and writing proposals and business plans
– Help finding a mentor and developing a mentorship agreement
– Attachments or internships with arts organisations and companies

Office, space and equipment/tools
– Studio space hire
– Rehearsal room hire
– Purchase and hire of specialist equipment
– Setting up an artist-run initiative
– Setting up a studio
– Purchase of computers or software
– Office rental
– Office set up costs
– Meeting room hire

Marketing and promotion
– Marketing skills training
– Professional recording of performances
– Creating/publishing a portfolio of work
– Professional CVs
– Website set up and maintenance
– Marketing and promotion – expertise and assistance
– Photographer to take headshots
– Produce a showreel or a recording
– Hire a producer
– Training in public speaking/talking about your work
– Services associated with documenting your work
– Training and set-up of online social marketing and networking tools
– Travel to auditions, agents or galleries in other states
– Attendance at professional networking events, industry meetings or conferences

ArtStart grants do not fund the purchase of major items of capital expenditure. The grants may be used to cover smaller items of equipment but this expenditure must not be more than 50% of the grant.

Applications are due 8 March 2010.

For more information and to apply visit here.

Tags: Grants - Australia - National

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Craft Victoria is calling for expressions of interest from designers and organisations for events – workshops, exhibitions etcetera – to be held as part of this year's annual Craft Cubed festival.

Established in 2009, the Craft Cubed festival aims to be highly participatory and to create a space for craft and design practitioners and the public to engage with contemporary issues. The 2010 festival is focused on the theme of 'Childhood' and will be held 5 August to 4 September 2010.

The theme of 'Childhood' is intended to act as a catalyst that will create a powerful arts event exploring many of the constructs associated with contemporary craft and design.

Festival organisers are interested in pursuing some of the issues associated with childhood such as what constitutes childhood, how the different forms and phases of childhood affect the arts and delving into the importance of play.

Expressions of interest should describe in 100 words proposed satellite events such as studio workshops, exhibitions, student projects that will engage with the theme and be held during the festival.

Event descriptions should be email to craftcubed@craftvic.asn.au. For more information on Craft Cubed visit here.

Expressions of interest are due Sunday 28 February 2010.

Tags: Opportunities - Australia - National - Craft and design festival, Opportunities - Australia - Victoria - Craft and design festival

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The Janet Holmes à Court Artists' Grant is designed to provide financial assistance to professional artists for the public presentation of their work. The grant provides assistance towards the costs of public presentation of visual arts, craft and design.

This can include, but is not limited to, framing, media releases, media photographs, advertising, space rental, installation costs, promotional printing, mail outs, documentation, freight, travel, equipment rental, insurance, technical assistance and opening costs.

Through this program, amounts of $500.00 are made available to individuals and $1,000.00 for groups. This grant does not provide assistance towards the production of artwork (materials, studio rental, research etc).

Individuals and groups are eligible to apply only once per round and if successful, cannot apply again for 12 months.

Visual arts, craft and design are broadly defined and include – painting, printmaking, drawing, textiles, photo media, sculpture, mixed-media, installation, glass, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, furniture, performance art, electronic and digital media.

Applications are accepted four times throughout the year.

Applications for the next funding round are due 15 February 2010.

Notification of decisions will be within two months of the closing date.

For more information and to apply visit here.

The Janet Holmes à Court Artists’ Grant is a NAVA initiative and is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Mrs Janet Holmes à Court and the support of the Visual Arts Board, Australia Council for the Arts.

Tags: Grant - Australia - National - Marketing

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