What Is The Community Arts Grants (Quick Response)?

• The City of Greater Geelong is a municipality with great cultural strengths.  Council is working to build on these strengths, and position the City as an exciting cultural centre of innovation and excellence.
• The Community Arts Grants (Quick Response) supports ‘urgent’ arts projects whose timelines prevent the applicant from applying within the major Community Arts and Festivals Grants Programme application period occurring annually in July.
• Applicants must provide a legitimate reason as to why the application could not take place within the timelines of the major annual funding round, and why funding is necessary at short notice (eg. an arts programme devised in response to an environmental disaster).
• Further details from www.geelongaustralia.com.au or by contacting the Cultural Development Unit on 03 5272 4773.

Who Can Apply?

• Incorporated (or those deemed by Council to hold a similar legal status) not-for-profit community groups and organisations are eligible to apply under this programme.
• Non-incorporated groups may apply if they have an auspice.
• If you have received funds from Council previously, you must ensure that you have spent the funds in accordance with the purpose for which the funds were provided (and as per the terms outlined in the Funding Agreement). You will need to have returned an Evaluation Form to Council to show that this has occurred to ensure that you are considered eligible to receive any further funds.
• You will also need to ensure that your organisation has no outstanding debts or is in arrears to the City of Greater Geelong to be considered for funding.

How Much Can You Apply For?

Applicants to Community Arts Grants (Quick Response) can apply for amounts of up to $1,500, according to availability of funds.

These funds are drawn annually from the Community Arts Grants programme, which has a total allocation of $120,000 per financial year for applications across all four Arts streams (Arts Project, Quick Response, Biennial and Professional Development).

When Can You Apply?

Funds allocated within this stream are limited, and occur on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be accepted all year, subject to availability of funds.

Applicants may not apply more than once a year to this stream.

Applicants should allow a minimum of four weeks for assessment.

What Projects Are Considered For Funding?

Projects with an arts and culture focus which are organised by incorporate not-for-profit community groups, and which occur within the Greater Geelong municipality will be considered.

Here are some examples of items that you may wish to consider applying for:

• Workshops and community arts events that have been initiated at short notice due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, and activities such as:

• Arts project-based artist fees
• Arts project-based equipment hire
• Materials for arts projects for such events
• Delivery of workshops, information sessions, seminars and event series’ of an arts and cultural nature.
• Activities that encourage collaboration between arts organisations and other communities.

What will NOT be Funded?

• Activities that are eligible under a different grant stream or programme.
• Applications that could be reasonably expected to have been submitted to the Community Arts (Arts Project) or (Biennial) stream within the main annual grant round.
• Festival activities – should apply under the Community Festivals Grants.
• Preparation or planning activities for larger events and activities that will apply for funding at a later stage.
• Capital works projects
• Prizes and awards for competitions.
• Equipment purchases for ongoing use.
• Travel expenses - may be eligible under Community Art Grants (Professional Development)
• Retrospective funding for activities that have already taken place prior to the grant application being acknowledged as successful.
• Activities which will commit future Council funds to future, ongoing operational or other funding.
• Salaries and wages.
• Insurance and permit costs (including public liability)

How Are Applications Scored?

All applications are subject to a two-tier assessment process, consisting of a cross-departmental panel of Council officers, and a committee of Councillors.  All applications are scored against a common set of criteria, as follows:

• Benefit to Local Artists (20%)
• Benefit to Broader Community (20%)
• Strengthening Local/Cultural Identity (10%)
• Environmental Sustainability (10%)
• Building Community (10%)
• Improving Arts Access (10%)
• Cultural Skills Development (5%)
• Contribution by Organisation (5%)
• Budget (5%)
• Marketing and Promotions (5%)

What is an Auspice?

• If your group is not incorporated or a similar legal entity, you may wish to appoint an incorporated body to auspice (manage) your application on your behalf.
• The auspice’s role includes managing the funds on behalf of the group that is not incorporated, and is legally responsible to manage those funds in accordance with the Funding Agreement.
• Auspice organisations are advised to read the Grant Conditions and Funding Agreement to ensure that they fully understand their responsibility prior to signing.
• Contact the Cultural Development Unit Project Officer on 5272 4703 if you are unsure as to whether you need to appoint an Auspice, or if you require any further clarification.
• Amendments to Grant Request
• Funds are allocated on the basis of information provided in Grant Applications. If you wish to reallocate funds for any use other than that indicated in the interview and application, change the dates of travel, withdraw from participation in the activity event, or if grant funds cannot be expended within the agreed timeframe, you should contact the Arts & Culture Department immediately to request approval for changes, or to arrange to return grant funds if appropriate.

Privacy Information

The personal information on the Community Arts Grants Application Form is collected by Council for the primary purpose of processing your grant application.  Should you wish to access this information, you may contact Council on 5272 5272.

Please Note The Following:

• Allocated funds must be expended within 12 months of receiving the funding, unless otherwise negotiated.
• Projects that have already commenced, or have been held prior to the grant application being acknowledged as successful, are ineligible (NB. This does not include any planning or preparation that does not require the commitment of funds).
• Check that you have chosen the correct grant programme for your project.  Council offers a variety of funding programmes aimed at assisting the community with specific activities. Information about these programmes follow in this document.

Changes to Project Prior to Completion

• Funds are allocated on the basis of project descriptions provided in Grant applications, with the expectation that the project will be delivered as described.  Prior approval should therefore be sought from Council via the Cultural Development Unit if substantial changes are to be made to the nature of the project, or if grant funds cannot be expended within the allocated 12 month timeframe.
• If a project does not go ahead, Council must be contacted immediately to arrange the return of grant funds.

Project Evaluation

• An Evaluation Form will be provided to all grant recipients, and must be submitted within 4 weeks of the concluding date of the funded activity. Individuals who do not submit an Evaluation Form will be ineligible for future City of Greater Geelong grants.
• Allocated funds must be expended within 12 months of receiving the funding, unless otherwise negotiated.
• Copies of receipts must be provided for all activities, as part of the evaluation process. Grant recipients will required to refund any funds that were not spent on the items indicated in the application, or items which a receipt is not provided.
• Grant funds must be allocated as indicated in the Grant Application budget.
• Any profit from any activity must be used in the ongoing running costs of the group.

Audits

• As part of the Evaluation process, randomly selected projects may be required to provide additional detail of expenditure to improve project accountability.
• Council officers may request meetings with the Applicant to check progress, or undertake an independent audit of the books and records of the Applicant.

Other Funding Opportunities at city of greater geelong

In addition to the Community Arts Grants (Arts Project), the City of Greater Geelong provides the following other funding opportunities to support its community:

Community Arts Grants (Quick Response)

The Community Arts Grants (Quick Response) supports ‘urgent’ arts projects whose timelines prevent the Applicant from applying within the major Community Arts and Community Festivals Grants programme application period occurring annually in July/August.

Applicants must provide a legitimate reason as to why the application could not take place within the timelines of the major annual funding round, and why funding is necessary at short notice (eg. creation of an arts program to support an environmental disaster relief effort).

Community Arts Grants (Biennial)

This biennial grant category provides a more substantial level of funding for the development of large-scale arts projects with one or more phases of activity that span across a two-year period.

Grants of up to $12,000, disbursed across two years (max $6,000 per year), will be available to successful applicants.

Community Arts Grants (Professional Development)

Professional Development Grants of up to $1,000 are available all year round, subject to availability of funds.  Volunteer arts community workers and professional artists who reside permanently within the Greater Geelong municipality may apply at any time to finance selected professional and skill development activities, including, but not limited to, reimbursement of travel costs or registration fees for cultural conferences, programmes, mentorships or other arts education activities for individuals.

Further details are available by contacting the Cultural Development Unit on 5272 4703.

Community Festivals Grants

The Community Festivals Grant Programme is a Council initiative to further strengthen community festival activities across the municipality and, in doing so, celebrate the diverse and unique communities within the City of Greater Geelong.  The Programme is available to groups seeking to develop festivals which complement the cultural life of the Geelong community.

Community Festivals Grants are available in three categories: Festival (One-off); Festival (Development) and Festival (Triennial).  Triennial Grants are not open to festivals that have been operating for less than three years.

Further details are available by contacting the Cultural Development Unit on 5272 4703.

Councillor Community Grants Programme

The Councillor Community Grants Programme is offered to assist not-for-profit community organisations in providing opportunities that benefit the wider Geelong community and help in achieving goals and outcomes consistent with Council’s objectives.

The programme aims to provide an opportunity for a wide range of groups to obtain a share of the grant funds for a varied range of projects. Applications to assist in the establishment of new projects are encouraged.

Eligible organisations may apply for either Ward-based or Municipal-wide activities that demonstrate benefit to the Geelong community.

The Programme has an allocation of $240,000 (per financial year) that is divided into the 12 Council Wards. This equates to an allocation of $20,000 per Ward which is available to expend on groups who apply and are eligible under this grant programme.

Generally grants are awarded for amounts up to $2,500.

Victorian Seniors Festival Grant Programme

The Senior Citizens Festival in Geelong is a month-long celebration and acknowledgment of the important contribution that senior citizens make in our community.

Grants are available for amounts of up to $400 for activities that take place during Seniors Week.

The programme is advertised once per financial year and applications are accepted within specified timelines.

Eligible groups must meet grant guidelines and complete an application, available by contacting Council’s Health Promotions Officer – Aged & Disability Services Unit on 5272 5272.

Geelong Major Events Funding (GME)

GME aims to develop a broad range of major events in the region by providing financial support to organisations delivering high quality, large scale events.

Applications for funding will be accepted throughout the year but should be made at least four months prior to the proposed event.  Further details are available by contacting Council’s Events & Marketing Services Unit on 5272 5272.

Swim Sport and Leisure – Sponsorship (In-kind Support)

The City of Greater Geelong’s Swim Sport and Leisure Centres provide services to Geelong’s community with a wide range of programmes and facilities available. Swim Sport and Leisure Sponsorship looks at investing in a number of opportunities that reflect our vision, corporate values and programme initiatives.

Contact the City’s Swim Sport and Leisure Unit on 5272 5272 for further information regarding sponsorship opportunities and how to apply.

Bis-Sport Funding

This small grant fund (for amounts between $100 to $1,500) is  for Individual sports people over 12 years of age who are participating in regional, state and national sporting events or competitions.  Funds can be used to assist participants with costs associated with: accommodation; travel; uniforms; special coaching activities; and special equipment etc.

Applicants must conform to the grant guidelines and complete an application form. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Barwon Sports Academy on 5224 9110.