Opportunities – Covid-19 Edition 2

Our next round of opportunities is here and it’s focussed on grants and commissions to get your ideas developed and you and your teams paid.

There are also links to mental health and financial services that we would encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with for themselves, loved ones and colleagues.

Keep up to date on the health warnings. Please check the Australian Government’s Department of Health warnings regularly, avoid public spaces and gatherings, wash your hands and keep an eye out for each other.

This is a dynamic list and we’ll keep adding links to it. If there are any other really great resources or links you have spotted we should know about, email Thom at marketing@performinglines.org.au

Take care of yourselves and each other.

It’s Tom Cramond – our former Administrator and current flatmate, self-isolating in Marrickville

Crisis Support

You can access urgent, one-off payments if you are in financial trouble.

NSW Actors Benevolent Fund – urgent payments to support performers

QLD Actors Benevolent Fund

Victorian Actors’ Benevolent Trust

Artist Relief Fund WA – artists and arts workers facing hardship

NAVA Artist Benevolent Fund – visual and interdisciplinary artist support

Support Act Financial Support – Musicians and music industry workers support

1000 x 1000 Crisis Cash | Theatre Network Australia – support for artists not covered under other schemes

Students – Check with your university and student union to see what assistance they offer.

Grants

Are you a business? Check out this comprehensive (though not specifically arts-related) guide from KPMG.

More info

Australia Council for the Arts | Resilience Fund
Split into three streams – Survive (Quick $2k for lost gig), Adapt (move your work online) and Create (new projects) – these grants of up to $10,000 for individuals/groups and $20k for organisations have a rolling application timeline and are open now.

More info

Create NSW | Covid-19 Support Grants
Very limited support available for independent artists. Grants of up to $5000 under their existing Small Projects Grants stream. There are targeted funds for First Nations and regional orgs, and for organisation-led projects promoting mental and physical health. Rolling scheme, final applications must by received 5pm Tues 30 June.

More info

Creative Victoria | Sustaining Creative Workers initiative
Quick-response funding to professional independent creative practitioners, sole traders, freelancers, collectives and micro-organisations/businesses whose work and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by coronavirus. Rolling scheme closing Mon 1 June.

More info

Arts Tasmania | Arts grants
This program supports individuals and groups to undertake projects that enable them to further their careers, enrich their artistic practice and contribute to Tasmania’s arts sector. Projects, professional development and more. Applications close Mon 1 June.

More info Full 2020 grants list

Department of Local Government, Sport & Creative Industries | Under $15k grants
The majority of grants programs available to independent artists have been cancelled. Only grants in the U-15k category are available for the foreseeable future. Rolling fund.

More info

City of Melbourne | Quick Response Artist Grants
Assistance of $4000 is available – demand is high so get in quick. Support for online content or development of new or unpresented work. Applications assessed weekly with notification shortly thereafter. Applications for quick response arts grants will remain open until the total funding pool has been exhausted.

More info

Maitland City Council | Various grants
There are a few different grant and commission options from Maitland City Council, the earliest closing Sun 10 May.

More info

City of Sydney | Quick Response Grants
Up to $2000 for small projects with a quick turnaround. No closing date.

More info

Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses. Applications open in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can sign up to receive more information when it becomes available.

More info

Copyright Agency | Cultural Fund
Support for significant organisations and individual Australian writers, journalists, editors, English and literacy teachers and visual artists. We also offer grants to leading organisations to help build literacy skills for children and young adults. Applications for individual artists close Mon 14 September, Org applications due Mon 11 May & Fri 12 June.

More info

City of Melbourne | Call for Peer Assessors
Assessment panel members review, assess and provide objective, independent recommendations to Council in relation to funding for grants and sponsorship programs. EOIs close Mon 11 May.

More info

Melbourne Fringe | ShowSupport
Pairing artists with private donors for up to $2500 towards your project. Applications close Mon 18 May.

More info

Inner West Council | Creative and cultural resilience grants program
Small grants for artists and orgs living and working in Sydney’s Inner West Council. Applications close Sun 17 May.

More info

Cardinia Shire (Vic) | Arts Response Grants
Provides $2.5k to local artists, for new initiatives that utilise, expand and promote the arts within Cardinia Shire. Applications close Mon 18 May.

More info

Australian Ethical | Community grants
Grassroots organisations who contribute to humanitarian, environmental and animal welfare efforts in Australia and abroad are encouraged to apply. Applications close Fri 22 May.

More info

Create NSW & Artspace | Visual Arts Emerging Fellowship
Support NSW visual arts practitioners in the early stages of their career to challenge and expand their practice. Applications close Tues 26 May.

More info

City of Yarra | Room to Create Responsive Grant Program
Small grants for venues and creative spaces in the City of Yarra. Applications close Sun 31 May.

More info

SA Department of Treasury & Finance | Small Business Grants
Small businesses and not-for-profit entities employing South Australians who have been highly impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible to receive a $10,000 grant to support the operation of their business.
More info

Country Arts WA | RAF Quick Response
For regional WA artists and orgs to cover any reasonable expenses, such as artists’ fees, conference registrations, materials, and/or travel and accommodation costs. Applications are due at least 10 business days prior to the project start date.

More info

City of Melbourne | Professional Development Subsidy
Allows local not for profit community organisations to nominate professional development opportunities including workshops, training sessions, structured mentoring, conference attendance or other types of professional development opportunities. Rolling, next round due Mon 1 June.

More info

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) | Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants: Bushfire Renewal Round
Focus on supporting the building, rebuilding and promotion of the creative industries in bushfire-affected areas of Australia. Applications close Thurs 18 June.

More info

Country Arts SA | Quick Response Grants
Regional SA artists and orgs can apply for up to $3k to access professional arts development and training opportunities, and equipment, subscriptions and licences that allow them to connect, create and share their stories and practices online. Rolling fund closes Tues 30 June.

More info

Northern Beaches Council | Arts and Creativity Grants
Grants up to $10,000 are available support individuals and organisations to investigate new ideas/designs, establish new ventures, or develop collaborative innovation projects. Applications close Mon 30 June.

More info

City of Yarra | Creative Community Covid-19 Quick Response Grants
$2k for artists and creative practitioners, and $5k for arts organisations and community groups to create and/or present work in the social isolation climate. Applicants must live, work or have a demonstrated connection to the City of Yarra. Applications close Tues 30 June.

More info

Office for the Arts | Indigenous Languages and Arts grants
Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to express, preserve and maintain their cultures through languages and arts activities around Australia. Applications close Tues 30 June.

More info

Arts Queensland | Arts Business Innovation Fund
Supports innovation to strengthen income generating and entrepreneurial capacity in Queensland-based not-for-profit arts and cultural businesses. Part funding, part loan, part matched. Rolling fund.

More info

City of Moonee Valley | COVID-19 Recovery Grants
This grants program is designed to support the adaption, continuation and recovery of local community groups and local businesses. Rolling fund.

More info

Spotlight on Adhocracy

One of our favourite responses to the crisis so far is Vitalstatistix’ remodelled Adhocracy program.

Scheduled annually in early September, the uncertainty around whether this can physically proceed this year has resulted in the organisation taking a flexible approach.

Programmed artists will receive the commissioning funds regardless of whether the physical event can go ahead, and they’ll work with the Vitals team to explore other avenues for development and showings.

Applications close Mon 25 May.

More info

Commissions & Callouts

Arts Front | Little Lunch Online
Callouts are running for artists to perform and artists/orgs to host. This great online initiative is an arts talkshow held over Zoom. It’s great. Screens at Midday a few times a week.

More info

Moogahlin Performing Arts | Moogahl LIVE
Callout for Performing Artists with existing work who can participate in a series of Facebook takeovers. These could be anything from solo concerts, dance workshops, comedy sets, acting masterclasses, spoken word performances, and more.

More info

Liverpool City Council and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre | Generator $500
Weekly cash prizes of up to $500 for original works responding to the current situation in a number of categories. Final entries due Tues 30 June.

More info

Midsumma | Midsumma Pathways
A nine-month mentorship program for LGBTQIA+ artists with disability. The Pathways program provides a queer context for up to twelve LGBTQIA+ participants with disability to develop their artistic practices. It includes access to mentoring, group workshops and contact with arts industry representatives. Applications close Fri 8 May.

More info

National Young Writers’ Festival | 2020 Artist Callout
Looking for ideas for workshops, panels, readings, roundtables and performances, or maybe even topics to throw on the table for discussion. Offering an artist fee of $60 per event, $200 for workshops, and the choice between accommodation at the Newcastle YHA or a $30/night accommodation subsidy. Applications close Fri 8 May.

More info

Delving Into Dance | Call for contributions
The Delving into Dance podcast and publishing platform has a callout for paid contributions, with a simple EOI extended to Sun 10 May.

More info

Melbourne Fringe & Maribyrnong Council | XS Open commissions
A program of contemporary, experimental and live art for children. XS OPEN is a $10k commission for an independent artist, company or collective to create and premiere a free work for children up to 12 years old in public space within the City of Maribyrnong. Applications close Mon 11 May.

More info

Darebin Arts | Speakeasy Development Program
Supports artists by providing access to resources to develop new artistic material. Artists get up to $2k and 2 weeks development space. Applications close Wed 13 May.

More info

TURA | Adapt 2020 Commissions
Sound artists and experimental composers can apply for commissions of digital works. Streams available for both Perth and national aritsts, plus an international callout pairing sound and video artists. Applications close Fri 15 May.

More info

HOTA | Artist Fund – Rage Against The Virus
Up to $1000 to develop an imperfect and unformed idea, or an idea that you have had formulating for some time. It is both creative development and presentation at speed. It is the chance to experiment with new forms, think outside the box, do things differently. Think of it as an incubator, developed and delivered from your home. Project duration is up to one week. EOIs close Friday 15 May.

More info

Signal | Screen x Sound Commissions 2020
Young screen and sound artists get $1k and 12 weeks tuition to develop new works for the digital realm and form new creative collaborations online. EOIs close Fri 15 May.

More info

WestWords & Western Sydney University | Writers in Residence
Two early/midcareer writers (defined as at least one major single author publication with a recognised publisher) get $12.5k and the opportunity to develop their professional skills and develop new work through a tailored program of activities. Applications close Sun 17 May.

More info

Chunky Move & Tanja Lietdke Foundation | Solitude 1
Provides $6k funded creative research opportunities for 10 dance artists working in choreographic, improvisation, performance and/or expanded practice fields. Applications close Sun 17 May.

More info

Melbourne Fringe | Jewel Box Grants
$1.5k plus support and fees waived for creative people of colour by commissioning original work to be presented at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Applications close 18 May

More info

Melbourne Fringe | Deadly Fringe Visual Arts Commissions
Two emering Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists will received $2k in fees plus mentoring for a work or exhibition. Applications close Wed 18 May.

More info

Flying Fruit Fly Circus | Make Our Way Out residencies
Special initiative to support established circus and physical theatre artists to make new work. Three residencies will be granted and will each receive $2,000 cash plus in kind support including accommodation, support from FFFC staff, equipment, and potential producing support. Applications close Wed 20 May.

More info

Multicultural Arts Victoria | Shelter Commissions
Small commissions for 40 new short works from diverse artists to be performed online. Successful applicants will be chosen randomly from eligible applications. EOIs close Fri 22 May.

More info

Metro Arts | Call for 2020 proposals
Support for 4 Queensland creatives/groups to create work ready for presentation in and around their new home at West Village, in late 2020. Applications close Sun 24 May.

More info

Arts House | Housewarming Commission
Victorian artists can apply for $5k to create a new work to be performed at Arts House’s reopening party – whenever that can be. Applications close Mon 25 May.

More info

Tasmanian Government | King Island Hospital public art commission
Tasmanian contemporary artists and designer/makers get $72k to create a screen based artwork to assist in identifying the main entry point to the King Island Hospital that will be welcoming to staff, patients and visitors alike. Applications close Mon 25 May.

More info

Multicultural Arts Victoria | Mapping Melbourne callout
Up to $5k for artists. Very broad callout – check the website for available detail. Applications close Thurs 28 May (website says Mon 28 May – we advise checking with them).

More info

The Farm Margaret River | Funded Residency
A selected visual artist will live and work in a contained live-in studio which is surrounded by arable paddocks, fresh water springs and bushland. Applications close Fri 29 May.

More info

Casula Powerhouse | Blake Prize
Applications have been extended for this acquisitive prize for works exploring religion and spirituality. Applications close Sun 31 May.

More info

Creative Brimbank | Be Bold Performance Residency
Development support and space for one mid-career (with up to $5k cash) and one emerging (up to $3k cash) theatre and performance makers. Applications close Sun 31 May.

More info

National Theatre of Parramatta | Open Days
The Open Days program is for artists and creators based in Western Sydney may lead to commissions included in our season, creative developments, dramaturg opportunities, and multiple professional developments and employment opportunities. Three streams – Auditions, Portfolio (for designers), and ParraPitch (for ideas) – applications close Sun 31 May.

More info[cta] Australian Academy of the Humanities | Awards and Grants Cash prizes and travel for those working in academic humanities, including research, translations and more. Applications close Fri 5 June. [cta]More info

National Library of Australia | Creative Arts Fellowships
Offer $10,000 to support writers and artists to spend four weeks in the Library developing an artistic concept, artwork or body of work inspired or informed by the collections. Applications close Fri 10 July.

More Info

Creative Brimbank | Room To Move Residency
Dancemakers can get free space and $500 to create a new work at the Bowery Theatre. Applications are rolling to Sat 1 August.

More info

Contemporary Art Tasmania | Curatorial Mentorship Program
Up to $3k for an emerging curator to gain skills and knowledge to contribute to the curation of an exhibition. Applications close Mon 3 August.

More info

Spotlight on The Diary Files

A great new digital project from the State Library of NSW calling for contributions from the community to document their time in isolation. It’s an open-access platform – record your story now!

More info

Jobs

Agri Arts | Connecting Artists with Farmers offering Work

InBetween | Casual and emergency work for artists between gigs

Jobs for Artists | Group for jobs postings

Art Tasker – like Airtasker but for Artists has been developed in response to COVID19

Doctors without babysitters (meet Arts Workers without work) | Melbourne Facebook group with a self-explanatory name

Brisbane Artists/Childcare Connection | Same idea for Queenslanders

The Freelance Collective: list of freelance creative workers available to work

Spotlight on Creative Connections

The Australia Council for the Arts has launched its free online professional development program – Creative Connections.

Got an hour or two free at the moment? Sign-up for the live chats, or watch them back later at your leisure.

The full program is live now, and cover areas including leadership, First Nations protocols online, taking your work digital, audience engagement, climate responses and more.

More info

Mental Health

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 000

SUPPORT ACT | Support Act Wellbeing Helpline – 1800 959 500
Support Act provide support which may include professional phone counselling, financial help, advice and practical assistance.

Visit SUPPORT ACT

Lifeline Australia | 13 11 14
Lifeline Australia provides a free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone counselling service for adults needing emotional support. Lifeline Australia also has a range of information and resources available from their website, about providing care in times of crisis.

Beyondblue | 1300 22 4636 (toll free)
beyondblue is a national organisation that has a range of information and resources associated with depression and anxiety. The Support Service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential.

Kids Help Line | 1800 55 1800
A number of children and youth may also need emotional. Kids Help Line is a free and confidential, telephone counselling service for 5 to 25 year old in Australia.

Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute provides a 24 hour free mobile phone/computer-based program to assist those with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress.

Headspace Meditation App
The free to download Headspace meditation app provides a complimentary Basics pack to guide you through the essentials of meditation and mindfulness.

Entertainment Assist
Free series of mental health and wellbeing webinars for Entertainment Industry practitioners.

Online Shows, Workshops & Classes

Critical Stages | Stage and Stream. A weekly gig guide of everything theatre happening online.

Betty Grumble’s Grumble Boogie: Daily disco dance class from your favourite local person of interest. Tune in on Instagram Live at 10am every day! @bettygrumble

Liesel Zink’s Contemporary Dance for Loungerooms: weekly online contemporary dance classes designed for you to do in your loungeroom.

Perth Festival | Online Arts Experiences You Need To See

Elektrolab | Creative Tech Workshops: register to get classes in a range of creative tech and apps.

CutCommon | Resume writing tips

Support & Resources

Centrelink: have waived many of the Newstart waiting periods.

Australian Tax Office: offering small business relief

Support Act | Covid-19 Emergency Appeal
An appeal to raise $20 million so they can provide some level of crisis relief to artists who are facing financial hardship.

Australian Arts amidst COVID-19 | A huge artist-led Facebook group with regular and passionate discussion about the current unfolding situation.

Crisis-Relief Banking Support
Many banks offer crisis relief support and may be able to assist in this time of need. Reach out to your bank for information on support available.

Check out this great article on Medium with heaps of financial resources to assist artists during this time.

MEAA Support Google Doc: Very comprehensive list of resources and contacts for artists, covering lobbying and advocacy, financial assistance, jobs and more.

Freelance Jungle: support and resources for freelance workers

Business Connect: NSW Government initiative to provide mentoring for creative industries