Brief History of the peer Panel Process at DCA
In September 2003, the Minister for Culture and the Arts, Sheila McHale, appointed new members to DCA’s (formerly ArtsWA) then three assessment panels and its special Contemporary Music Panel.
Following public advertisements calling for ‘expression of interest’ a pool of panellists were appointed for two and a half or three year terms. The pool of panellists ensures that DCA can draw on a wider body of knowledge and in turn that each grant application will be assessed by a group of people with the most appropriate expertise.
In addition to Chairpersons, a number of panellists are appointed from the pool in each grant round to provide representational coverage for the specific applications received.
In appointing panellists the Minister has been mindful of the need to have:
Other recent modifications to the panel process include a review of the short- listing process. While applications are still received in artform categories, once they have been short-listed by the Panels for serious consideration, they are re-categorised into one of the following six categories: individuals; groups; resources; conferences and festivals; audience access and international activity. This ensures that Panel members consider the spread of the funding support across these different areas. Perhaps most importantly, Panel members are now the first point of call for sector consultation by DCA. In this way both parties can regularly and safely canvass issues. The five Panels do not replace the need for more substantial consultation with the sector, but they do provide a barometer for the sector’s concerns and this should therefore ensure a more timely and effective response from Government to key issues.
Following public advertisements calling for ‘expression of interest’ a pool of panellists were appointed for two and a half or three year terms. The pool of panellists ensures that DCA can draw on a wider body of knowledge and in turn that each grant application will be assessed by a group of people with the most appropriate expertise.
In addition to Chairpersons, a number of panellists are appointed from the pool in each grant round to provide representational coverage for the specific applications received.
In appointing panellists the Minister has been mindful of the need to have:
- a reasonable balance between metro and regional representatives
- a reasonable balance between ‘established’ and more ‘cutting edge’ areas of arts practice
- a reasonable gender balance
- some continuation of panel membership to ensure ‘corporate memory’
- panellists who are reasonably free of potential conflict of interest
- panellists who are able to attend three panel meetings per year
- some panel members whose expertise encompasses two or more art forms
Other recent modifications to the panel process include a review of the short- listing process. While applications are still received in artform categories, once they have been short-listed by the Panels for serious consideration, they are re-categorised into one of the following six categories: individuals; groups; resources; conferences and festivals; audience access and international activity. This ensures that Panel members consider the spread of the funding support across these different areas. Perhaps most importantly, Panel members are now the first point of call for sector consultation by DCA. In this way both parties can regularly and safely canvass issues. The five Panels do not replace the need for more substantial consultation with the sector, but they do provide a barometer for the sector’s concerns and this should therefore ensure a more timely and effective response from Government to key issues.
