The Community Partnerships program supports collaborations between professional artists, arts companies and Victorian communities.

Projects may involve a single art form or a combination of art forms and can include new and experimental forms. The role of the professional artist(s) and the project's artistic elements must be central to achieving its overall purpose.

Proposals to the program must demonstrate capacity to develop a collaborative relationship between the artist(s) and a defined community group.

Aims and objectives

The Community Partnerships program aims to:

• Ensure that all Victorian communities are able to access, engage with and participate in a diverse range of artistic and cultural experiences
• Enable collaborations and partnerships involving professional artists, arts companies and Victorian communities that bring about mutually beneficial and positive results
• Provide opportunities for artists and arts companies to develop their professional practices and extend the reach and viability of their activities.

Eligibility

The Community Partnerships program accepts applications from individuals, arts and community organisations, including local government.

The proposal must involve:

• A professional Victorian artist, group of artists or arts company
• An artistic activity that may or may not result in a new work
• Demonstrated community support including at least one confirmed community partner.

Funding sought from Arts Victoria must be directed towards costs associated with the artistic work, such as artist fees, materials, development, construction and production.

Closing dates

• 15 August 2011 for projects starting on or after 1 December 2011
• 5 March 2012 for projects starting on or after 1 July 2012

It takes approximately 15 weeks from the closing date until funding results are available.

Funds available

Funding for Community Partnerships projects is capped at $65,000.

Applications are assessed in two groups:

1. Requests of up to $39,999; and
2. Requests between $40,000 and $65,000.

Funding is for fixed-term projects of up to 12 months duration.

To apply for funding you must:

• Download and complete the Community Partnerships guideline and application form (Word 736 KB)
• Submit a written proposal
• Provide supporting documents and artistic support material

Written proposals

This is the main part of your application. It is important that you explain how the proposal will meet the stated aims, objectives and assessment criteria for the Community Partnerships program. It is recommended that your application addresses each of the assessment criteria under a separate heading.

The proposal should be typed on a maximum of three A4 pages.

Supporting documents and artistic support material

• Include CVs of key artists and creative personnel, a timeline for the project and confirmation letters from community partners
• Include up to two items of artistic support material
• Applications with requests between $40,000 and $65,000 must attach a Business Plan, Annual Report, Audited Financial Statements or similar documentation that demonstrates the organisation's financial profile.

Applications for this program will be assessed according to the following assessment criteria:

• Artistic merit - based on a clearly articulated artistic concept, the capability and suitability of the artist(s) and a project that demonstrates best practice in the contemporary community-based arts field
• Collaboration - based on the capacity to develop a collaborative relationship between the artist(s) and community group, demonstrated community support, and creative processes that provide significant opportunities for community participation
• Effective planning - based on a project management plan and budget which are achievable and structured appropriately to the scale and complexity of the project
• Outcomes and benefits - based on the project delivering benefits and value to the participants, artist(s) and wider community. Details of how the project will be evaluated also need to be included.

Applications go through a standard assessment process. This includes review and evaluation by a peer assessment panel.

The current panel members are:

• Madeleine Flynn (Chair for requests up to $39,999) - Musician and composer
• Megan Cadd (Chair for requests between $40,000 - $65,000) - Visual artist and Indigenous arts curator
• Fiona Cook - Access arts development manager
• Martyn Coutts - New media artist
• Carolyn Crossley - Visual arts gallery director
• Dominique Miller - Dance and media artist

As a recipient of Arts Victoria funding, you are required to:

• Notify Arts Victoria of any changes to your proposed project
• Publicly acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government using specific logos and text
• Acquit your grant by completing a written report on the outcomes of your funded project.

Logos and Text Acknowledgement

Logos

The Arts Victoria logo deviceArts Victoria Logo DeviceThe Arts Victoria logo device is made up of two elements:1. The Arts Victoria logo and 2. The Victorian Government logoThe Arts Victoria logo must always appear with the Victorian Government logo. must be included on all promotional materials produced by the grant recipient in relation to the funded activity.

These may include (but are not restricted to):

• Posters, fliers and brochures
• Advertisements
• Invitations
• Information and education kits
• Signage
• Programs and catalogues
• Websites.

The size and position of the logo should be commensurate with the level of funding provided by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria in relation to other supporters.

The Arts Victoria logo device is available in a variety of formats, please take note of the guidelines for its use.

Text Acknowledgement

The following text/verbal acknowledgement of Victorian Government should be used in any speeches, media releases, interviews and other circumstances where a logo may not be possible:
[This project is] supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and the Community Support Fund

Logo for Literature Organisations or Projects

In 2008, Melbourne was officially designated a UNESCO City of Literature. All literature projects or organisations receiving Arts Victoria funding should be branded under the initiative by using the UNESCO Melbourne City of Literature logo devlceUNESCO Melbourne City of Literature Logo DeviceThe UNESCO Melbourne City of Literature logo device is made up of three elements:1. The UNESCO logo 2. The Melbourne, Australia 'spiky' logo3. The words 'City of Literature'All elements must appear together. on all marketing and promotional materials. This should be used in addition to the standard logo and acknowledgements outlined above.

The UNESCO Melbourne City of Literature logo device is available in a variety of formats, please take note of the guidelines for its use.

Acquittal Reports

When your funded activity is completed, you must provide Arts Victoria with an acquittal reportAcquittal ReportA written evaluation of the funded activity and a statement that fully accounts for the expenditure of funds provided. within 90 days.

Failure to satisfactorily acquit funding will make you ineligible for future Arts Victoria funding and may result in action to recover the grant.

For grants awarded before 1 July 2011, in the New Work and Residency categories, please download and complete the Community Partnerships acquittal report template (Word, 339KB).

For grants awarded after 1 July 2011 through the Community Partnerships program, please download and complete the standard Arts Victoria Acquittal Report Template (Word, 276KB)

Further information about the program can be obtained from:

Chi Vu

Telephone: 03 8683 3112
chi.vu@dpc.vic.gov.au