Research
We ensure our guidelines are as clear as possible, please read the entire Apply for a Grant area of the website carefully. We recommend that you:
- Compare your proposed project with grant eligibility and criteria.
- Make sure your travel dates meet the funding round timelines.
- Read the FAQs for a further understanding of Cultural Trust grants and the application process.
- Read our case studies, grantee stories and annual reports to get a better understanding of what, how and who we fund.
- Contact us if you are unsure about anything.
Common mistakes include: applying with projects that do not meet the eligibility and criteria of a Cultural Trust grant; projects (such as courses and residencies) where confirmation of acceptance cannot be attained before the closing date; proposed projects not falling within the funding round timeline.
Writing
We receive a high volume of applications, so you must describe your project succinctly. We recommend that you:
- Write in clear English, do not use jargon.
- Avoid acronyms, assume our reviewers don't know what they mean.
- Write in specific terms rather than generalisations – especially regarding the desired goals and outcomes of your project.
- Note that if your internet drops out or the system times out you will lose any unsaved work. Write your application in a word document and copy into the application form to avoid losing your work.
- Carefully check each of your responses to ensure they have answered the questions. For example, ask yourself ‘Have I clearly articulated why this professional development is valuable to my artistic practice?’.
References
Please ensure you include two original, signed and scanned letters of reference for the proposed project from relevant teachers, colleagues or mentors. We will not accept:
- References without signatures. We do not accept typed names.
- References from two teachers at the same institution.
- Character references or references from referees that are unrelated to your artistic practice
- References from anyone at your proposed host institution or someone involved in the mentoring/tuition of the proposed project are not suitable. These are considered letters of confirmation.
Common mistakes include reference letters missing signatures, uploading the same reference twice.
Confirmation & Documentation
If your placement, study, lessons, workshops, mentorships etc have not been confirmed by the application closing date your application will not be reviewed.
Please ensure that:
- You check your documents have the required information.
- Your budget figures add up, and the Income and Expenditure totals match. Check and check again.
- You clearly name your documents.
- You check the documents you upload match the field.
Support material
All support material must be provided by URL. Providing a URL allows you to present examples of your work in high definition, without having an impact on your total application file limit of 25MB.
Please ensure:
- The URL(s) directly link to your written material, images, video or audio. The link(s) should not require further navigation, or for a file to be downloaded
- That if the URL requires a password to access, you include the password in the 'Support Material Notes' section.
- You regularly check that the URLs you provide are working through the course of the assessment period, as we take no responsibility if the link does not work.
- You provide examples that best demonstrate the quality of your past or present work and which are relevant to the proposal.
Common mistakes include links that are not public with no password provided and non-responsive links.
Our FAQs page has further information on what support material must be supplied. If you have any questions about what is appropriate, please contact us to discuss.
Review
Ensure you review all fields and check uploaded documents before submitting your application. An email confirmation and a copy of your submission will be emailed to the address submitted in the application form. If confirmation is not received, check your email junk folder or spam.
Time
Ensure you get your application in on time. The deadline is always 5 pm AEST or AEDT on the closing date. In fairness to all applicants, you will not be able to submit after this time. Individual IT issues and personal circumstances cannot be considered an excuse for a late submission.
Good luck with your application!
