Over half a million in grants for the creative community announced by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund
The Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund continues to invest in Australia's arts future, announcing more than $500,000 in grants for the support of 25 projects in the first of two rounds of funding for 2019.
The Cultural Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Copyright Agency and is dedicated to enhancing the profile of Australian creators and supporting the nation's dynamic writing, publishing and visual arts sectors.
Copyright Agency CEO Adam Suckling says, "The Copyright Agency is proud to support Australia's unique creative industry with these grants, which have far-reaching outcomes for our community and beyond.
"Copyright Agency members generously commit 1.5% of the agency's revenue each year toward the Cultural Fund to benefit the Australian creative landscape. The grants champion our wide array of members - authors, journalists, publishers, visual artists and educators - ensuring they are encouraged and supported to create works that contribute substantially to the future of our cultural sector."
Melbourne Press Club will receive $25,000 for its Michael Gordon Fellowship Program to provide funding to several Australian journalists to amplify issues in areas such as Indigenous affairs, migration policy, human rights and Third World development.
Australian publisher Spineless Wonders was granted $5,000 for its Microflix Writers Award and Symposium, a literature-based short film festival aimed at encouraging more filmmakers to use works by Australian authors. The project will award excellence in writing and pay authors, including royalty payments for any subsequent broadcast of the film based on their work in Australia or internationally within five years of the initial screening.
Adam Suckling says, "The latest round of funding sees the Cultural Fund and Copyright Agency continue its support of Indigenous creators and programs, with six projects focused on generating a greater understanding and engagement with Australia's First Nations' histories and culture.
"The latest round has also funded a number of training and mentorship programs that will provide critical support and professional development for our young and emerging Australian talent. This will help them acquire knowledge and create new works that will progress their careers, encourage new thinking and add their voice to Australia's cultural landscape."
Other highlights of the funding round include the State Library of Queensland's black&write Indigenous editor training program, which will receive $80,000 over three years; The Garrett podcast, which was awarded $14,000 to create podcasts to compliment teaching resources for works by diverse writers on Reading Australia; The INK New Writing Program with the Red Stitch Actors Theatre, which will receive $45,000 over three years; a grant of $18,000 for Red Room Poetry's Poetic Moments Journeys - which will feature Australian poetry on public transport; and the National Gallery of Victoria, which receives $8,500 to support a publication accompanying its upcoming exhibition of Indigenous female artist Destiny Deacon.
The Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund is now open for Round Two 2019 applications, with grants available for organisations running projects that offer broad benefits to the Australian cultural community. Round Two applications close on 30 September 2019.
Copyright Agency CEO Adam Suckling says, "The Copyright Agency is proud to support Australia's unique creative industry with these grants, which have far-reaching outcomes for our community and beyond.
"Copyright Agency members generously commit 1.5% of the agency's revenue each year toward the Cultural Fund to benefit the Australian creative landscape. The grants champion our wide array of members - authors, journalists, publishers, visual artists and educators - ensuring they are encouraged and supported to create works that contribute substantially to the future of our cultural sector."
Key projects receiving funding include:
Sydney Living Museums, which was awarded $10,000 to commission "Cutter & Coota", a new play for young people by award-winning Indigenous author Bruce Pascoe to be performed at Hyde Park Barracks in early 2020. The play will invite reflection on the story of country and acknowledge the complexity in understanding early colonial Australian history and the intersection between British military, convict narratives and Aboriginal stories.Melbourne Press Club will receive $25,000 for its Michael Gordon Fellowship Program to provide funding to several Australian journalists to amplify issues in areas such as Indigenous affairs, migration policy, human rights and Third World development.
Australian publisher Spineless Wonders was granted $5,000 for its Microflix Writers Award and Symposium, a literature-based short film festival aimed at encouraging more filmmakers to use works by Australian authors. The project will award excellence in writing and pay authors, including royalty payments for any subsequent broadcast of the film based on their work in Australia or internationally within five years of the initial screening.
Adam Suckling says, "The latest round of funding sees the Cultural Fund and Copyright Agency continue its support of Indigenous creators and programs, with six projects focused on generating a greater understanding and engagement with Australia's First Nations' histories and culture.
"The latest round has also funded a number of training and mentorship programs that will provide critical support and professional development for our young and emerging Australian talent. This will help them acquire knowledge and create new works that will progress their careers, encourage new thinking and add their voice to Australia's cultural landscape."
Other highlights of the funding round include the State Library of Queensland's black&write Indigenous editor training program, which will receive $80,000 over three years; The Garrett podcast, which was awarded $14,000 to create podcasts to compliment teaching resources for works by diverse writers on Reading Australia; The INK New Writing Program with the Red Stitch Actors Theatre, which will receive $45,000 over three years; a grant of $18,000 for Red Room Poetry's Poetic Moments Journeys - which will feature Australian poetry on public transport; and the National Gallery of Victoria, which receives $8,500 to support a publication accompanying its upcoming exhibition of Indigenous female artist Destiny Deacon.
The Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund is now open for Round Two 2019 applications, with grants available for organisations running projects that offer broad benefits to the Australian cultural community. Round Two applications close on 30 September 2019.