The Australia Council for the Arts announces 53 grants to kick start the careers of budding artists under the new ArtStart grant initiative.
First round ArtStart grant applicants came from across the country and from a broad range of arts including visual arts, music, theatre and dance.

Successful applicants, from a lighting designer embarking on a career in theatre to a music graduate developing a chamber ensemble, demonstrated their commitment and a long-term plan to build  their arts practice.

“ArtStart offers a boost and encouragement to arts graduates, across all art forms, when they are making the transition from arts training to professional practice,” said Libby Christie, Executive Director of Arts Funding at the Australia Council for the Arts.

“The 53 successful ArtStart recipients are a great example of the innovation, tenacity and creativity needed to carve out a sustainable career in the arts. The Australia Council is excited about helping to start the careers of our next generation of artists”

ArtStart grants can be used for developing skills and business support, renting studio space or tools, getting expert business advice, growing skills in marketing and promotion, or putting together a portfolio.

Grants are available to those who have graduated from an accredited artist-training scheme in the last three years, to help them build an income-generating career.

To apply for an ArtStart grant, applicants need to outline a simple five year plan of activities they believe are important to establishing their practice, and submit that with a written application.

Round two ArtStart grant information is available online now. Application forms can be downloaded from 25 January 2010.

Full ArtStart grant information and online application forms can be found at www.artstartgrant.com.au

http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/news/news_items/first_artstart_grants