Queensland Arts Showcase Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the aim of the Queensland Arts Showcase Program?
The Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) invests in:
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the development and growth of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector in
Queensland;
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strengthening the Queensland arts and cultural sector’s connection with new audiences
state-wide, nationally and internationally;
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supporting artistic and non-artistic collaborations to develop innovative and quality arts
and cultural experiences; and
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strengthening professional development and creation of employment and training
opportunities for Queensland’s small to medium arts and cultural sector.
2. Which funding stream should I apply for?
The Queensland Arts Showcase Program is administered across three funding streams.
Arts Ignite invests up to $60,000 per successful application for the creative development and
public presentation of new works across art forms including visual arts, literature, crossdisciplinary practice and performance (including but not limited to theatre, dance, circus, music,
opera and cabaret).
To be eligible, new works must not have been presented to the public. Arts Ignite aims to:
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support the creative development and public presentation of new works which respond
to demand.
cultivate new and emerging talent and extend artists and/or organisations’ practice,
audiences and markets.
Arts Illuminate invests up to $100,000 per successful application to secure acclaimed artists
that will engage the community and build local capacity. Acclaimed artists will engage the local
arts sector through capacity-building activities such as workshops, masterclasses, lectures, and
mentorships. Arts Illuminate aims to:
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support Queensland communities to engage high quality national and internationallyrenowned artists to present unique arts and cultural experiences.
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build the capacity of Queensland’s arts and cultural sector through collaboration with
acclaimed artists to cultivate local talent and deliver legacy outcomes.
Arts Impact invests up to $60 000 per successful application for diverse arts and cultural
experiences for Queensland, including performances, exhibitions, festivals, community art
projects, enhanced cultural infrastructure and services to artists, cultural workers and
communities. Arts Impact aims to:
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support a vibrant and diverse range of original arts and cultural experiences for
Queensland communities.
support initiatives that drive cultural tourism and/or activates existing community and
cultural infrastructure.
If you are unsure which stream to apply to, contact an Arts Investment Officer on 07 3034 4016
or toll free 1800 175 531.
For information on touring, career development, organisational or other funding please visit
Arts Queensland’s funding webpage: www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/funding.
3. How much can I apply for?
Funding Stream
Arts Ignite
Arts Illuminate
Arts Impact
Maximum funding request
$60 000
$100 000
$60 000
Arts Queensland does not fund 100 per cent of project costs (Arts Ignite and Arts Impact).
To be eligible under Arts Illuminate, applications must not request more than 50 per cent of
total budget costs. On average, Arts Queensland’s contribution is approximately 30 per cent of
total income (2009-2012).
Arts Queensland encourages applicants to evidence diverse income streams in their budgets.
Assessors will analyse your budget to determine if you have demonstrated strong financial
partnerships and committed a significant amount towards the cost of your project. Other
sources may include: financial or in-kind support from government and non-government
entities; earned income; or income from fundraising, sponsors or philanthropic entities. For
details on other funding sources, please refer to the Arts Queensland website.
4. When should I apply?
The Queensland Arts Showcase Program is a rolling fund with no closing dates, which means
you can apply for funding at any time; however applications must be received at least 16 weeks
prior to your activity start date to be eligible. This timeframe allows for applications to undergo
eligibility checks, assessment, moderation and recommendation and for the Minister for the
Arts to make the final decision on the funding offer.
It is recommended that you apply as far in advance of the activity as possible. Securing
investment well in advance allows you to leverage the funding further, promote government
investment and secure other partners for your project or program.
It is also recommended that all applicants make contact with Arts Queensland to determine the
suitability of the application prior to submission.
5. How often can I apply to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program?
Applicants can apply to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program multiple times, but can only be
awarded funding once per calendar year. This means that if you are successful in one stream of
the Queensland Arts Showcase Program, you will not be eligible for funding through any of the
Program’s three streams for the remainder of the calendar year.
Applicants may only have one application under consideration to the Queensland Arts Showcase
Program at any one time.
6. Who can apply to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program?
The applicant can be an individual, organisation or collective/Artist Run Initiative and must
either be based in Queensland, or able to identify how the project will benefit the Queensland
arts sector. Arts Queensland does not accept auspicing arrangements therefore the ABN must
be registered in the same name as the applicant. All applications will be assessed on their
individual merit against the same assessment criteria.
Arts organisations that currently receive triennial Organisations Funding through Arts
Queensland must demonstrate how the activity differs from what the organisation is already
funded to deliver to be eligible. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact your
Arts Queensland client manager to clarify.
Arts Queensland shareholder companies (excluding Screen Queensland); Cultural Precinct Arts
Statutory Bodies; and Major Performing Arts Organisations (as recognised by State and Federal
Governments) are eligible to apply to the Arts Illuminate funding stream.
Applicants that partner with or have significant involvement from these companies are eligible
to apply to all streams of funding; however a letter must be provided confirming the proposed
activity is in no way related to activities already funded through Arts Queensland.
State government agencies and state owned companies including the Judith Wright Centre of
Contemporary Arts (JWCOCA) and the Centre of Contemporary Arts (COCA) Cairns are not
eligible to apply to the Program.
7. Can Councils apply to the Program?
Yes. Local Government Councils are eligible to apply to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program.
8. Can universities apply to the Program?
No. Educational institutions and programs, including universities, are not eligible to apply to the
Queensland Arts Showcase Program. University-owned companies are eligible to apply if they
are able to demonstrate that the activity is outside of the core business of, and does not receive
direct financial support from, the tertiary institution.
9. How do I apply to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program?
You can apply online through the Arts Queensland funding website
(www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/funding) or post a USB device (memory stick) to the address
in the Guidelines. The most efficient method is to apply online but we understand that for some
applicants this is not possible.
Arts Queensland cannot accept emailed or hand delivered applications.
If circumstances prevent you from being able to provide your application in any of these
formats please contact an Arts Investment Officer on 07 3034 4016 or toll free 1800 175 531
prior to submission to make alternative arrangements.
Your application must be received by Arts Queensland at least 16 weeks prior to project
commencement date. Late or incomplete applications will not be assessed.
10. How are assessors chosen?
Applications to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program are peer assessed by members selected
to reflect the diversity of the arts and cultural sector. Assessors are members of the community
with specific artform interest, knowledge and experience as well as broad industry knowledge.
Assessors need to adhere to strict conflict-of-interest and confidentiality guidelines and are
selected depending on the skills mix required for each application. Given this, you should make
sure that your application is succinct and clearly demonstrates how your proposed activity will
deliver under the funding criteria. A list of Assessors is available on the Arts Queensland
webpage: www.arts.qld.gov.au/publications/industryexperts.
11. How will Arts Queensland ensure the Queensland Arts Showcase Program will be
equitably distributed across the sector?
Recommendations will be moderated within the available budget to ensure balance across areas
such as geographic regions, art forms and target audiences.
Arts Queensland is committed to realising the ambitions of the Queensland Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Economic Participation Framework, the Queensland Cultural Diversity
Policy, the Queensland Youth Strategy and the National Arts and Disability Strategy. Applications
which include the following target groups as creators, participants or audiences will strengthen
the implementation of Queensland Government’s commitments:
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older people (over 55 years old)
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
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people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, including Australian
South Sea Islanders
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young people (0 – 21 years old)
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people with a disability*.
*Note that funding recipients are expected to meet legal obligations in relation to accessibility including
access to web content.
Applicants are encouraged to explore how they might direct their activities to these specific
target groups as well as to regional Queenslanders where appropriate.
12. What is an ‘Acclaimed Artist?’
An Acclaimed Artist is an artist, or group of artists, who has a high-profile and is considered
nationally and/or internationally renowned outside of their artistic genre. It is expected that
Acclaimed Artists proposed for activities under the Arts Illuminate stream are familiar to most
Australians, has great popular appeal and is regarded as being prominent or successful in their
chosen field. Australian or Queensland artists may be included.
13. How do you demonstrate the audience demand or community need for your project
and the broader public benefit?
Providing objective evidence that there is public demand or benefit for what you are proposing
is critical to success. Track record of the applicant and/or project or program should be
demonstrated, or if it is a new project or program, provide evidence of the applicant’s success
with prior work. Demand can take the form of history of attendance/participation, confirmed
interest from project or program partners, letters of support, and financial investment at a local
level.
A clear and concise demonstration of how you will achieve project or program outcomes , how
these will be measured and the proposed impact to the Queensland arts and cultural sector and
local community is critical.
For helpful tips on preparing your funding application, please refer to Arts Queensland’s Arts
Acumen Funding toolkit online at www.arts.qld.gov.au/publications/resources/artsacumen.html
14. What is community engagement?
Community engagement refers to the interaction between your project and the local arts sector
within the region through information sharing, consultation, collaboration and/or active
participation. This connection enables the transfer of skills and knowledge for the benefit of
participants involved.
15. Where can I find help to complete my application?
Arts Queensland has developed a suite of resources to assist you in completing funding
applications, including tips for applying, budget samples and helpful checklists. You can find
these on the Arts Queensland’s Arts Acumen webpage:
www.arts.qld.gov.au/publications/resources/arts-acumen.html.
16. What does becoming investment ready mean?
Being investment ready means you have put forward the strongest case for Queensland
Government investment in your project or program. In this context, it would mean a proposal
that has the majority of the details confirmed, evidence of demand and a market for the work,
commitment from most or all partners, a marketing strategy, a clearly articulated value
proposition with an idea of the projected outcomes– economic, social, artistic.
17. What letters of support should I include with my application?
Arts Queensland encourages the inclusion of letters of support as they are an important
component to a competitive application. Letters of support should demonstrate demand and
indicate industry and sector support.
If you are planning projects that are specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people and communities you must supply evidence of demand and support for your
activities. Please note that there is a maximum of 20MB of support material allowed.
18. What is the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy?
The Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS) is a four year program (2015-16 to 2018-19) formed
under a bilateral agreement of the Queensland and Australian Governments to increase the
viability and vitality of Australia’s contemporary visual arts and craft sector. Creativity and
excellence, linked with public appreciation and informed critical debate are the key outcomes
for the package of support. Two priority areas supported through components of the
Queensland Arts Showcase Program are:
Regional Galleries - Regional Galleries are those based in communities outside Brisbane
City Council boundaries. They present quality exhibitions and related educational programs,
service the cultural needs of communities as well as being the custodians of collections.
They will have ‘A’ category facilities and full time professional staff.
Artist Run Initiatives - Artist Run Initiatives (ARIs) are unincorporated collectives of
professional practising visual artists, craft practitioners and designers and incorporated, not
for profit arts organisations. ARIs are characterised by the following qualities; they are
managed and operated by artists, they operate on a non-profit basis, they have a continuing
program of creative activities.
Regardless of VACS priority areas, visual arts and crafts applicants are encouraged to apply
under any of the three Queensland Arts Showcase Program funding streams at any time.
19. What is the Backing Indigenous Arts initiative?
Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) aims to develop a sustainable and ethical Indigenous arts
industry in Queensland. The initiative creates pathways for arts and cultural workers and artists
to develop sustainable career options while strengthening and building awareness and
appreciation of the uniqueness of Queensland Indigenous culture. BIA’s priorities include
strong coordinated action from all levels of government and the delivery of projects built on
partnerships across arts, economic development, cultural retention, environment, cultural
tourism, health, education and training sectors.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply under any of the three Queensland Arts
Showcase Program funding streams at any time.
20. Do I apply for VACS or BIA through a different funding process?
No. Applicants do not elect to be funded through these initiatives. Rather, applicants apply as
usual to the Queensland Arts Showcase Program and, if successful, Arts Queensland will then
determine the applicant’s suitability to be funded through the VACS or BIA components of the
Queensland Arts Showcase Program.
21. What are some tips to be concise and articulate and make your application stand out?
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Avoid the use of acronyms and use the spell and grammar check.
Make sure your budget balances. - Often it is helpful to complete the expenditure side of the
budget first. Then you can insert your anticipated revenue and the difference between
expenditure and revenue will be the amount you need government to invest in your project.
Consider word limits and adhere to them – Be concise.
Provide support material that is relevant – too much support material may result in all of
the application not being read and considered.
Make sure you evidence demand.
22. What happens if funding is approved?
You will be required to enter into a funding agreement which will include Key Performance
Outcomes based on the information in your application and the objectives of the fund.
The information provided in the application will be used as the basis for funds granted however
alternative funding uses and/or funding amounts may be stipulated by Arts Queensland. Any
amendments must be mutually agreed to.
Arts Queensland will send you a letter of offer and schedules that apply to the funding. You
must sign and return a copy of the letter. Once you sign, a legally binding funding agreement
will come into existence. The terms of the funding agreement will be contained in the letter of
offer, the schedules and the terms of funding. You can find the terms of funding on the Arts
Queensland webpage: www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/funding.
If you do not return the documents properly signed and completed within 30 days, the offer of
funding will be withdrawn and you will no longer be able to accept it. You can return the
documents by post or scanning and emailing them to Arts Queensland.
23. Where can I find the Terms of Funding?
The Terms of Funding are located on the Arts Queensland webpage:
www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/funding; or you can obtain a copy by contacting an Arts
Investment Officer on 07 3034 4016 or toll free 1800 175 531.
24. Does the Projects and Programs Fund still exist?
No. The Projects and Programs Fund ceased to exist from 1 September 2015. Funds dedicated to
this program were rolled into the Queensland Arts Showcase Program.
Applications submitted to the Projects and Programs Fund prior to 1 September 2015 will be
assessed as per the Projects and Programs Fund guidelines.
25. If my application is unsuccessful, can I reapply for the same project or program in the
future?
Yes, however it is advisable that you seek feedback on your application before resubmitting an
application for the same or similar project or program.