Applications are now open for the Creators Fund, a ground-breaking new Andrews Labor Government program that will support Victorian creatives to undertake research, to experiment, and focus on developing their skills and careers.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP called for applications to the program, which is open to creative practitioners and artists working in all creative fields and at all career stages.
An initiative of the Andrews Labor Government’s $115m Creative State strategy, the Creators Fund is a fellowship-style program that will provide grants of between $20,000 – $50,000 to support individuals or creative collectives to work intensively for a period of between three to six months.
The program is a response to significant industry feedback which identified that one of the biggest challenges faced by Victorian creative practitioners is the lack of time to devote to their creative practice.
Studies by the Australia Council for the Arts have revealed that less than 20 percent of artists across the nation work full time on their creative practice.
The program takes inspiration from initiatives in the science and technology sectors, offering support for the intensive research and development that goes into major new projects, products and discoveries.
In addition to the funding, Creators Fund recipients will also become part of a lab-style program where they can share information, network and present their concepts and ideas to potential partners, collaborators or investors.
Expressions of interest for the Creators Fund are now open and will close on 7 September 2017. For more information, visit creative.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney MP
“Victoria is the creative state and the Labor Government is proud to support our local creative talent.”
“The Creators Fund will provide our creative practitioners with an unprecedented opportunity to devote time to their practice, develop new ideas and build their skills, networks and careers.”
“Western Victoria is home to an extraordinary creative community and I encourage all local artists and creative practitioners to find out more about the program, and apply.”