DLGSC announce Culture & Arts Grant Program Updates

6 May

The WA Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) have announced changes to the Culture and the Arts grant programs in response to the impact of COVID-19 on independent artists, musicians and cultural activities. The updates include the suspension of some existing grant programs and revision of grant guidelines to align with the current COVID-19 restrictions.

The DLGSC will continue to support activities that adhere to the current COVID-19 restrictions by consolidating unallocated funds towards the existing Arts U-15k grant program and the Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program (U-15k category). In order to take this approach, DLGSC is suspending multiple funding programs that are currently open, due to open or with applications being assessed. This is to acknowledge that many projects can no longer take place in the way they were originally conceived, and allow the department to concentrate its efforts on the emergency response.

The programs under immediate suspension include:

• Arts 15k-plus
• Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program (15k-plus category)
• Playwright Partnership Program
• Western Australian Theatre Development Initiative
• Outer Metro Arts
• Create X.

The department will directly contact those who have submitted grant applications for any of the suspended programs.

The guidelines for the existing Arts U-15k grant program and the Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program (U-15k category) have been revised to only support activities that meet the current COVID-19 guidelines. This includes ineligibility of grants and activities including any regional, interstate and/or international travel, and/or mass gatherings. Accordingly, the guidelines now include eligibility for performance opportunities and industry events taking place online.

With updates requiring activities to comply with current COVID-19 restrictions, artists are currently ineligible to be funded for touring or inter-state festival performances planned for later in the year. This may change as COVID-19 restrictions are revised by the state government.

You are eligible to submit two applications in addition to any previous applications submitted for the program this financial year. Successful, unsuccessful and ineligible applications are counted towards this total.

For currently contracted grant recipients, the DLGSC are allowing variations to the purposes and outcomes of funding already received, extensions to project timelines and assistance with adaption to the funded project. Contracted recipients are encouraged to contact their grant officer to submit a variation to their contract.

More information on the updates to the DLGSC Culture & Arts funding programs, eligibility, and application information is available via the department website HERE.