Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

The program will span across art forms to support artists, including those at the initial stages of their careers, to deliver new works, undertake fellowships and to creative presentations to Australian audiences.

Commencing this year, the grants will span over five years as part of the Government’s promise to invest in creative Australia. Kathy Keele, CEO of the Australia Council says that the Creative Australian Artists Grants are about giving artists time and resources so that they can better develop their creative vision.

“It’s also about giving Australian audiences access to new and diverse creative experiences,” she added.

The New Art initiative is one of the new opportunities being made available under the scheme and will be open to artists of all backgrounds. The Inter-Arts Office at the Australia Council will set in motion grants for 16 larger scale projects that take innovative risks and explore new ways of getting the general public engaged with contemporary art.

10 fellowships will also be awarded by the Australia Council for established artists, and 13 for emerging artists in a new proposal to support artists working across the sector and the nation.

“These fellowships will support the career development of artists across artforms, whether they live in the cities or regional and rural Australia,” says Keele. “They offer artists the precious gift of time and space to create inspiring and ambitious work.”

Presentation initiatives are also part of the initiative and will help artists connect with audiences. These will be available from mid-2012 and will support a range of activities including exhibiting, touring, recording, publishing, presenting and promoting existing or new activities.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Simon Crean says, “The Federal Government is committed to providing opportunities for artists across the country and to giving all Australians access to the arts.”

“The Creative Australia Artists Grants will fund up to 150 additional artistic works, presentations and fellowships over five years and that’s an important contribution to the vitality of our arts sector.”

The new opportunities will be promoted as they become available through funding forums, marketing campaigns and online resources.

More info: Australia Council for the Arts