Arts Development Panel Feedback - February 2008

ASSESSMENT REPORT

The Arts Development Panel met on the 17 and 18 April to assess applications submitted on the 29 February 2008. Applications were considered across all art forms within the project development, distribution and publishing assistance categories, together with the Short Term Artist in Residence program and the A Few New Words Poetry Publishing Initiative. Applications were considered for projects commencing after 1 July 2008.

Total Applications Received: 98

Total Applications Approved: 48

Success Rate: 49%

Total Requested: $1,857,573

Total Approved: $859,942

Percentage of Request Granted: 46%

PANEL COMMENTS

GENERAL

The Panel recommended 48 applications for funding across all categories totalling $859.942.  In terms of the total number of applications, this is a 49% success rate compared against the total request of 98 applications.  In dollar terms, 46% of the $1,857,573 requested was granted.

The Panel noted that a number of the projects presented were quite cautious in nature and encouraged future applications to embrace artistic risk in their projects.

The Panel would also like to remind applicants of the wide range of artforms assessed and urge applicants not to assume that the panel will know the details of their specific practice; applicants are encouraged to articulate their practice in their application and/or support material.

SUPPORT MATERIAL

The Panel urges applicants to give careful consideration to the support materials they submit, to ensure materials are focused and relevant to the project being considered. Projects which incorporate a range of artistic disciplines should be accompanied by support materials which describe all these elements. The Panel were particularly concerned with the number of dance or theatre applications that did not provide any support material for the music component of the project.
Similarly the Panel urged applicants seeking support for periods of creative development to include support material relevant to the process they plan to undertake.

The Panel noted that letters of support should specify exactly what the individual or organisation is supporting.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

The Panel noted that several applications failed to include or underestimated a number of important fees and charges such as APRA fees for the use of music.

The Panel would like to encourage applicants seeking larger amounts, to ensure they provide budget notes and/or quotes, which provide the detail behind larger budget lines and artists fees. The Panel would like to remind applicants that appropriate fees should be budgeted for musicians and that writers should clearly articulate their fee structure. Budget items showing artists, musicians or writers fees should include an explanation of the basis on which these fees are calculated.

The panel would like to encourage applicants to be more focussed in their inclusion of in-kind contributions within project budgets.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS

The Panel noted the limited number of applications which incorporated community engagement and would like to encourage more applications in this area. The Panel requests such applications include greater explanation of the process they will undertake with the community and note that it is important that such applications clearly articulate the calibre of the artists involved.

STATISTICAL INFORMATION

Arts Development Panel
Round Closing 28 February 2008
Applications Received and Amounts Requested by Artform