Regional Museums Grant Support Program 2015-16
Closing Date: 20 November 2015
Guidelines for Grant Applicants
The Northern Territory Government sees as a priority the preservation, collection and
display of the unique cultural heritage of the region. To support these important activities,
the Department of Arts and Museums (DoAM) will make available grants to assist
community–based and volunteer–run regional museums and keeping places.
To ensure the Regional Museums Grant Support Program remains relevant, the
Department of Arts and Museums will undertake a program review in 2015/16. This
review will make recommendations on program improvements for future grants. The
Northern Territory Government have allocated grant funding across a number of areas for
2016-2018 under the recently announced Northern Territory Heritage Enhancement Action
Plan. The aims and eligibility criteria for future grants under the Regional Museums Grant
Support Program may vary for the 2016/17 funding year.
Aims of grant program
The Regional Museums Grant Support Program aims to assist Northern Territory regional
museums and keeping places to:
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foster the development of high quality community museums throughout the Northern
Territory;
encourage the development of projects which involve local communities;
ensure the preservation of heritage according to the guidelines of the National
Conservation and Preservation Policy and Strategy, 1998;
provide an enjoyable learning experience for all visitors; and
encourage increased visitation through quality interpretation of collections.
Regional Museums Support Program Grants are made annually to assist museums
develop projects that will benefit the museum, meet recognised museum standards, be
accessible to the public, and will be completed within a year. Suitable projects include:
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development of exhibits and displays;
development of interpretation plans, a strategic plan, collection management policy,
disaster preparedness plan;
employment of consultants or contractors with specialist skills and knowledge including
traditional knowledge;
improvement of collection management practices;
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conservation and assessment of significance of moveable heritage objects;
accessioning and cataloguing of museum collections which may include the purchase
or leasing of items of office equipment, computer database software and the
employment of contract curatorial staff;
storage and conservation material;
outreach work with the local community;
training and professional development; and
collaborative Regional Museums Project involving two or more museums.
Where can I get help to plan a grant project?
Contact the Grants Coordinator for assistance (see address below), and use the resources
available through the Regional Museums page of the DoAM website
www.artsandmuseums.nt.gov.au
Is our organisation eligible for a grant?
To be eligible for a grant an organisation must:
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be legally constituted and incorporated;
be a ‘not for profit’ (as defined by the Australian Tax Office) museum, keeping place or
community art gallery;
be open to the public or developing travelling exhibitions to regional Northern Territory;
be committed to the preservation of cultural heritage by actively conserving,
researching and interpreting collections for visitors’ education and enjoyment;
submit a project which is exclusively a Northern Territory based; and
submit a project which relates to the moveable cultural heritage aspect of the
organisation’s activities.
Note: Grant Applications for projects relating to National Trust museums must include the
approval of the Director of the National Trust of Australia (NT).
Sorry, but grants are not provided for:
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private organisations;
fundraising or charitable events;
purchases or acquisition of objects or collections;
activities that are the exclusive responsibility of other funding bodies or government
agencies;
capital works or the restoration and maintenance of buildings;
projects that relate to objects which are not owned by the organisation applying for the
Grant;
establishing of new museums; or
utility costs, such as electricity.
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What are the grant conditions?
1.
An organisation should not have any outstanding Grant Acquittals with this program.
2.
An organisation may submit multiple Grant Applications, and/or include separate
projects within one Grant Application.
3.
An organisation may participate in (or co-ordinate) a Grant Application for a
Collaborative Regional Museums Project.
4.
The Department of Arts and Museums may request a copy of the organisation’s
Certificate of Incorporation and/or Business Plan before accepting a Grant
Application.
5.
Priority will be given to Grant Applications that relate to a museum’s Business or
Strategic Plan.
6.
Priority will be given to museums that can demonstrate good museum practice in
their day to day activities.
7.
Priority will be given to projects and museums that can be accessed by the public.
8.
Successful grant applicants (and their administering organisations) will be asked to
sign the Agreement and Conditions Form outlining the conditions relating to the
grant. Should these conditions not be met, DoAM reserves the right to withdraw the
grant. DoAM also reserves the right to vary, cancel or waive any of the grant
conditions or requirements.
9.
Funds must only be spent for the purpose outlined in the Agreement and Conditions
Form.
10.
The NT Government logo should appear on all promotional material for the project.
11.
The Regional Museums Grant Support Program should be acknowledged in all
promotional material, annual reports etc. published by the organisation receiving the
Grant.
12.
DoAM will not be held responsible if the applicant has underestimated the costs of
the project and incurs a loss.
13.
Applicants can not be guaranteed funding to the full amount requested.
14.
Successful grant projects should be completed within the specified period.
15.
Ongoing funding is not guaranteed.
16.
Grants will not be made retrospectively.
17.
Availability of Grants is not automatic and should not be anticipated. Competition for
grant funding is extremely competitive, and it is not always possible to fund every
project.
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18.
Funds must be spent within the 12 months after being received.
19.
Requests for extensions of time or any other variations must be applied for in
writing to the DoAM.
20.
If a funded project does not proceed, the Grant Applicant must advise the Director,
MAGNT, immediately and return any unspent funds.
21.
Unsuccessful grant applications can be resubmitted in following years, if they meet
the criteria of that year.
How do I apply for a grant?
As early as possible, seek advice and assistance from the Grants Coordinator who can
help identify and develop suitable projects.
Grant applications should be made on the Grant Application Form (Part A and Part B).
Grant applicants should:
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check that their organisation is eligible for a grant, that the envisaged project meets the
aims of the Grant, and can be completed within the grant conditions, including being
able to be completed in one year;
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show evidence of specific research for the project, including consultation with relevant
specialists;
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show detailed planning for the project, including sketches and/or drawings or plans
where appropriate; and
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explain how the project relates to the organisation’s aims and current priorities.
Grant applicants should also address the following Assessment Criteria:
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How will the project raise the quality of your museum?
How will the project increase the level of enjoyment and learning of your visitors?
How will the project increase the level of good museum practice?
How will the project demonstrate the use of appropriate preventive conservation
techniques?
5. How will the project demonstrate the development of curatorial practices and
policies?
6. How will the project demonstrate particular benefits to a specific region or
community group?
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Where do I send our grant application?
Please send your grant application and supporting material to:
Regional Museums Grant Support Program
Department of Arts and Museums
PO Box 496
PALMERSTON NT 0831
Remember to keep a copy for your own records.
How are grant applications assessed?
Each grant application is assessed on its own merits and in the context of other
applications, and against the Grant Assessment Criteria listed above.
What is the assessment process?
The assessment process occurs within the Department of Arts and Museums. The
Evaluation Panel consists of three members. Their decisions will form the basis of
recommendations presented to the Minister for Arts and Museums. All funding decisions
are approved by the Minister.
When will we know if we are successful?
All applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome within six weeks after the close of
submissions.
All successful grant applicants will receive a letter of offer, and a Grant Agreement setting
out the grant conditions for signature.
How do I acquit the grant?
At the conclusion of the grant project, the grant applicant must submit a financial and
project report as part of the acquittal process.
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Financial Report:
For grants less than $50,000
The Grant Applicant must prepare an income and expenditure statement signed by an
office bearer of the administering organisation, certifying that the funds have been
expended on the specified project as stated on the Grant Agreement.
For grants of $50,000 or more
The grant applicant must prepare an independently audited financial statement clearly
identifying the grant funding provided. An income and expenditure statement detailing
the breakdown of the expenses should be attached to the audited statement.
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Project Report
The grant applicant must report on the delivery of the funded project. The project report
should include information on how well the project achieved its aims and objectives,
other achievements and/or potential future developments, and any difficulties. It should
also include copies of the promotional material and the demonstrated use of the NT
Government logo, as set out in the Grant Conditions.
Acquittal Reports for Collaborative Regional Museums Projects are the responsibility of
the administering body stated in the Grant Application.
Acquittal Reports should be submitted within 12 months of receipt of the Grant.
Where do I send our grant acquittal?
Please send your Grant Acquittal to:
Regional Museums Grant Support Program
Department of Arts and Museums
PO Box 496
PALMERSTON NT 0831
For more information please contact:
Darlene Lion
Regional Museums Grant Support Program
Department of Arts and Museums
Tel: 8999 5033
Email: darlene.lion@nt.gov.au
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