Exciting and inspiring Tasmanian communities through arts and culture

Funding

While the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet through the Office for the Arts (OFTA) are responsible for the Regional Arts Fund, or RAF. it is delivered by the peak regional arts organisation in each state, and by arts departments in the territories. TRA administrated RAF in Tasmania for the period 2009–2012 on behalf of the Commonwealth and will do so for the period 2013-2016.

A key focus of the Regional Arts Fund (RAF) program is to encourage the formation of productive partnerships to support home-grown arts activities and the creation of networks to reduce isolation, exchange ideas and promote all artforms through the provision of dedicated funding.

The program also assists the professional development of, and provides employment opportunities for, artists based in regional areas.

Providing opportunities for community members to learn arts and broader skills is another RAF priority. With RAF support, professional artists provide workshops and collaborate with community participants on a wide range of creative projects.

A popular component of RAF are the Regional Quick Response Grants - providing small grants to artists to attend developmental events and workshops or to support smaller projects that fall between other funding rounds. Regional Quick Response grants are supported by larger more developmentally focused grants that fund projects of local and regional significance.

RAF Regional Quick Response grants provide funds up to $1,500 for an individual artist or artsworker to access professional development opportunities or for smaller developmental projects. As of 2012, a new category of Quick Response Grants is now available to organisations for small cultural projects. This category will provide funds of up to $3,000 for approved projects. TRA advises that up to four of these applications will be supported annually, and so any application from an organisation for this category must be discussed with the RAF Program Manager prior to making such a submission.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the program which are outlined in the information kits (see links below).

Notification of success or otherwise of Quick Response Grants is provided by TRA within ten working days. Advice on the grant application process is also available from the TRA Regional Arts Development Officers located in Latrobe and Hobart.

RAF decisions on grants other than the quick response grants are made by a peer assessment panel of Tasmanian based artists and arts workers appointed by the Commonwealth Arts Minister.

Two RAF grant categories are offered by TRA. Category one is called the Small Grants Program and funds developmental projects and activities up to the value of $5,000. Category two is the Major Grants Program which supports larger projects that develop partnerships and collaborations within communities through the arts. Major grants are capped at a maximum of $10,000, with no minimum.

Both Small and Major Grants have two closing dates each year. The round closing dates for projects commencing after 1 January 2013 are:

Friday 15 March 2013 for projects commencing after July 1, 2013
Friday 16 August 2013 for projects commencing after 1 January 2014

When open, Quick Response Grants can be submitted at any time. While Quick Response Grants are capped at $1,500/$3,000, smaller amounts are regularly awarded.

Applicants are requested to discuss their proposals with the RAF Program Manager in Latrobe if they have any questions about their ideas.

TRA application forms have now been discontinued

Application Forms used until March 2013 have now been discontinued. TRA is intending to move to an online grants submission system as of I July 2013. This system will provide applicants with greater ease of completion of any application. Those that have used the Smartygrants system (as used by the Tasmanian Community Fund, amongst others) will find the new system familiar. 

The adoption of the new system has not changed the program criteria and so prospective applicants can continue to develop potential applications based on the current program guidelines.

TRA will establish alternative application processes for those that have genuine reasons for not having access or capability to complete an online application. Contact the TRA RAF Manager if this is the case.

Application guidelines are available by following the link below:

View RAF application guidelines

Successful Grant Recipients are required to acknowledge the RAF Program in all promotional materials. Guidelines and Logos are available by clicking here. Grant recipients that do not appropriately acknowledge any funding received are advised that this lack of program recognition may adversely impact on further submissions to this program.

RAF Grants can be used in conjunction with other funding sources, such as the Tasmanian Community Fund and Arts Tasmania.

Regional Quick Response Grants are now closed until July 2013.

When available, two categories of QRG are on offer:

1. Individuals can apply for up to $1,500 for projects or professional development opportunities; and
   
2. Organisations can apply for up to $3,000 for projects

Applicants for either category are advised that the current QRG applications forms have been discontinued as well - to be replaced by the online lodgement system. As with the small/major grants, the program criteria remain the same for QRG applications.

EMAIL ADDRESS FOR RAF ACQUITTALS FOR FUNDED PROJECTS UP TO THE MARCH 2013 ROUND:2012

All RAF grant acquittals for all grant rounds and regional quick response grants awarded up to and including the March 2013 round are to be submitted on the existing RAF acquittal forms to the following email address:

gra...@tasregionalarts.org.au

TRA advises that the use of the gra...@tasregionarts.org.au  email address for inquiries and clarifications remains in place.

RAF 2012/13 Closing Dates - Small and Major Grant Categories:

Friday 15 March 2013 for projects commencing after July1, 2013 

Friday 16 August 2013 for projects commencing after 1 January 2014