Up to $300,000 is available from IVAIS to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the production, promotion and marketing of their art.
Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Program
The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program supports a professional, viable and ethical Indigenous visual arts industry with strong participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Funding provides professional opportunities for over 8,000 artists and around 300 arts workers, most living in very remote Indigenous communities.
Background
The Government has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists in some form since 1971. This grant opportunity was established in 1992 as the Arts and Crafts Industry Support Strategy (ACISS) administered by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. It was renamed in 1995 as the National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program and transferred to the Arts Portfolio in 2004. In 2012, it was renamed the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program and, from 2015-16, includes funding for employment of Indigenous arts workers.
IVAIS provides funding to around 80 Indigenous-governed art centres as well as a number of marketing events, regional hubs and service organisations that provide professional opportunities for over 7,000 artists and more than 300 arts workers, most in remote or very remote communities.
Funding
The Australian Government will provide up to $20 million through IVAIS in 2018-19, subject to a 2018-19 Budget appropriation. Funding is primarily delivered through a restricted non-competitive process to support existing funded activities. However, each year approximately $300,000 is earmarked to support new activities through an open competitive process.
IVAIS provides base-level operational funding and it is expected that organisations will generate significant other income through art sales, fundraising activities, other government and philanthropic support. There is no maximum amount for each grant. Funding levels to existing organisations vary depending on the scale and type of activities. Funding levels for new activities would generally range from $5,000 to $80,000 per annum depending on the scale of the activity.
Eligible Projects
The grant can only be used to:
- support the operations of Indigenous visual art centres, hubs, marketing events and service organisations that provide professional support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the production, promotion and marketing of their art
- provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to develop, extend, market and generate income from their professional visual art practice
- provide employment and economic opportunities in the visual arts industry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in remote communities
- provide opportunities for art centre staff, artists and board members to develop professional skills and gain experience
- contribute to strengthening the Indigenous visual art industry, including the delivery of professional services and support by industry service organisations.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible an organisation must:
- be one of the following entity types:
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- an organisation established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State or Territory legislation
- a company incorporated in Australia
- a company limited by guarantee
- an incorporated association
- a not-for-profit organisation
- a publicly funded research organisation
- an Australian local government body
- State or Territory Government
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be registered for the Goods and Services Tax, if required by the Tax Office
- have no overdue acquittals or serious breaches relating to Australian Government funding. A serious breach is one that has resulted in, or warrants, the termination of a grant agreement.
Timing
Applications close 19 March 2019.
