Apply for First Nations Commissioning Fund (Australia)

Objectives

• The First Nations Commissioning Fund:
  • Supports the development and presentation of new work and cultural programs by individual First Nations artists, arts workers collectives and organisations.
  • Strengthens skills development and provides new employment opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers.
  • Grows a pipeline of high-quality First Nations arts, cultural products, and experiences.

Funding Information

• Single-year projects—up to $70,000 for projects and programs for up to 12 months.
• Two-year projects—up to $150,000 for projects and programs that need a larger and/or longer scale of development of up to two years and include presentation and/or distribution.
• PLUS up to $10,000 towards fees for Queensland-based composers, musicians or librettists to support the commissioning of new live or recorded music as part of your project.
• PLUS up to $60,000 towards a full-time industry placement for 12-months (or a pro rata equivalent for part-time) with a focus on arts management and/or arts production.
• The placement must be:
  • a new position
  • built into the planned activity, and you must provide evidence of your intention for continued employment of the person or role
  • supported by a holistic skills development program and a supervisor with appropriate experience
  • paid at least minimum award wage and covered under employer’s Workcover and superannuation.
• Multi-year funded applicants approved for this extra funding will have the option to apply for an additional $30,000 (or a pro rata equivalent) in Year 2 to continue employment of the placement if they can demonstrate the successful delivery of Year 1 and provide evidence of how they will transition to the continued employment of the person or role beyond the second year the project.

Eligibility Criteria

• In addition, the Fund requires that applicants must:
  • be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are artists or arts workers, or First Nations organisations or collectives based in Queensland. For The Fund, a First Nations organisation is at least 50% owned and led by Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have formal authority to make decisions in the operations and governance of the organisation.
  • not apply for 100% of the total project costs.
  • not receive Arts Queensland funding of more than $1.5 million per annum.
• Applicants may only receive one First Nations Commissioning Fund grant per calendar year, based on the Round closing date. However, they can also receive a further grant for a different project through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program within the same calendar year.

Assessment Criteria

• The Fund Assessment Panel, comprised of 100% First Nations representation, will assess applications against the following criteria:
  • High quality 
    • Creative idea or concept is innovative and will deliver high-quality First Nations arts and cultural work.
    • Professionals involved are highly skilled and well-regarded.
    • Includes collaborators and partners who will help create great cultural outcomes.
  • Strong impact 
    • Creates new employment opportunities and skills development for First Nations artists and arts workers in Queensland.
    • Builds new audiences and markets and reputation for First Nations arts and cultures.
    • Responds to community needs and helps deliver government priorities, including the principles of the Cultural Engagement Framework.
  • Sustainable value 
    • Demonstrates value for money, sound governance, and ethical business practices, including paying amounts not less than industry award rates, recommended or agreed minimum rates, and adhering to cultural protocols.
    • Proposed activity has a strong delivery plan, including understanding potential risks and their management.
    • Will contribute to the sustainability and growth of Queensland’s First Nations arts and cultural sector.

For more information, visit Arts Queensland.