Art funding in Australia & New Zealand: a guide for artists
As an artist, securing funding for your projects and endeavors can often be a daunting task. However, there are a plethora of organizations in Australian and New Zealand that are dedicated to supporting artists just like you. From government programs to private foundations, these organizations offer a wide range of funding opportunities for artists of all disciplines and at all career levels. We will explore some of the most notable organizations that offer funding to help take your career to the next level.
Key Resources
Publication
Asia-Europe Foundation 3rd edition of the Mapping of Funding Opportunities for International Cultural Exchange in Asia, which presents mobility funding resources for 19 Asian countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
Regional Funds
Check the eligibility criteria carefully (can be the entire continent or only part of it)
Australia
Asialink provides opportunities for international exchanges like residency programmes and fellowships within the Asia Pacific region. Australian citizens can take part in the funded residency programme developed by AsiaLink.
Eligibility: Australian nationals or residents
The Culture Fund of the Australian Copyright Agency supports a wide variety of projects which aim to encourage, and provide practical assistance to Copyright Agency's members and the Australian cultural community, in the fields of publishing and visual arts. Check out the Copyright Agency’s Career Fund, which supports individuals working in the publishing and visual arts sectors to develop skills and enhance their careers (inc. overseas residencies with structured mentorship or structured learning opportunities).
Eligibility: Australian nationals or residents
Sidney Myer Fund & The Myer Foundation
The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation are two separate philanthropic entities of Myer family philanthropy. The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund make grants across Australia in accordance with its vision to improve peoples’ lives in lasting and positive ways. Grants are made across a number of different areas, including Arts & Humanities.
Eligibility: Australian nationals or residents
The Arab Fund for Arts & Culture
The Arab Fund for Arts & Culture (AFAC) is a private independent Arab initiative dedicated to empowering the Arab contemporary narrative through strategic cultural philanthropy. It seeks to deliver a sustainable funding mechanism for individuals and organizations in the fields of film making, performing, visual arts, literature, research, training and capacities building, while simultaneously facilitating cultural exchanges across the Arab region.
Eligibility: open to receive project applications from all Arab individuals working in the cultural and artistic fields.
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust - Australia
The aim of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust is to provide an opportunity for Australians to travel overseas to conduct research in their chosen field that is not readily available in Australia. It also aims to reward proven achievement of talented and deserving Australians with further opportunity in their pursuit of excellence for the enrichment of Australian society.
Eligibility: Australian citizens
New Zealand
Creative New Zealand encourages, promotes and supports the arts in New Zealand for the benefit of all New Zealanders through funding, capability building, its international programme and advocacy. It offers financial support for emerging and established artists, art practitioners, groups and organisations.
Eligibility: New Zealand citizens, permanent residents or organisations.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation provides New Zealand artists with funded residency opportunities throughout Asia.
Eligibility: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust - New Zealand
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (WCMT) was established in 1965 with funds from both the government and the public. Since then, net income earned from investments has been used to award Churchill fellowships each year. Through the fellowships, the WCMT assist New Zealanders to travel overseas, to learn from others and study topics that will help them to increase their contribution to the community, and advance their profession or business.
Eligibiltiy: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents (as well as Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue). A person resident outside of New Zealand may also apply for a Fellowship to visit New Zealand.
