Arts Fund

About:

The Beverley is a US$10,000 grant awarded annually to an established American freelance writer who has an outstanding reputation for art journalism. The purpose of the grant is to foster cultural exchange, discussion and coverage of the Australian contemporary visual arts community and its programs.

The grantee will be given access to visual arts leadership in Australia to assist with introductions and ideas both in advance of the visit to Australia and on site and will be encouraged to visit museums, galleries, art schools, artists’ studios, and private collections, subject to their specific interests.

Grant Purpose

The grant was developed in response to the need for American writers who wish to examine or explore the Australian visual arts community but are increasingly restricted by the travel budgets of art and culture media outlets with which they typically work. This opportunity to travel to Australia allows the grantee to explore and work while not being obliged to produce income-generating articles or reports. As media travel budgets diminish and budgets for media visits wane, The Beverley provides a small contribution to ensuring that contemporary visual arts ideas and trends are being examined and exported from Australia.

The grantee will be at liberty to set their own itinerary, is required to spend at least two weeks in Australia (preferably longer) and must complete their trip within nine months of being awarded the grant. The grantee will also be invited to report on their experience at an event hosted (either virtually or in person) by the American Australian Association within two months of their return. The Beverley is intended to support the career and practice of the grantee. While there is no obligation to generate articles as a result of the travel, coverage is encouraged.

The inspiration for the grant is Beverley Joan Melick (nee van Eerde), a NSW-based artist and designer who has had a long association with the USA and has had a life-long passion for cultural exchange. The Beverley has been initiated by John Melick (Beverley’s son) who was raised in Sydney and founded the public relations company Blue Medium in New York nearly 20 years ago.

Submission Period:

January 1st – May 10th 2024

Open

Eligibility requirements:

To be eligible to apply to The Beverley, applicants must:

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident (Australian citizens or dual citizens are not eligible);
• Be an established US-based freelance writer who has outstanding reputation for art journalism
• Travel to Australia within 9 months of being notified of the award for a minimum of 14 days

Please also note;

• Applications must be prepared and submitted by the applicant (not a third party);
• The grantee may choose their travel dates, length of stay (with a minimum of 14 days), airlines, insurance, accommodations, and destinations, provided the travel is initiated within nine (9) months of the grant.
• You cannot apply if you have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by the American Australian Association.

About:

The American Australian Association, in partnership with the Australian International Screen Forum, offers a co-branded scholarship designed to foster international-based learning and career development opportunities for the next generation of Australian filmmakers.

Support of US$10,000 will be awarded to an up-and-coming Australian director who will participate in a customized program of development in the US for up to three months.

Submission Period:

January 1 – March 30

Closed

Eligibility requirements:

• Be considered emerging or early career directors with a demonstrated achievement and dedication to their craft.
• Be an Australian citizen/permanent resident.
• Be over 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Be eligible for a visa that entitles them to a social security number (J1 or other).
• Dual citizens/residents not eligible to apply.

Application requirements; 

• Artists Resume
• Basic information
• Bio / Career statement
• Credits and Awards (including festival screenings)
• Goals and Objectives of Artistic Development
• Proof of Citizenship
• Reel or samples of work
• Minimum of 2 References (a recognized authority in the arts or entertainment industry)
• Supporting application information
• IMDB profile

Please also note;

• Applications must be prepared and submitted by the applicant (not a third party);
• You cannot apply if you have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by the American Australian Association.

About:

The American Australian Association in partnership with the American Friends of the National Gallery of Australia Inc., offers the AusArt Scholarship to an Australian MA or Graduate student in the fields of fine arts, art history/theory, curatorial studies, arts administration or conservation studies, to support one-year of full-time artistic development at an accredited US educational institution. The AusArt Scholarship will provide support of US $30,000 to be used toward travel, living, tuition and other costs associated with the artistic development abroad.

Submission Period:

Open for application on January 1 to March 31.

Closed

Eligibility requirements:

To be eligible to apply to the AusArt Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident applying for artistic development in the US (dual Australian citizens or permanent residents are not eligible);
• Be applying at the graduate-level or above;
• Be undertaking or planning to undertake artistic development for one-year full-time in the US;
• Be an emerging or early career artist;
• Have a formal offer letter from the host body or accredited educational institution at the time of application.

Please also note;

• Applications must be prepared and submitted by the artist (not a third party);
• The project commencement date cannot be more than 8 months after the application deadline date;
• If the artist has already begun their artistic development, it cannot be more than 75% complete at the time of the application deadline date;
• You cannot apply if you have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by the American Australian Association.

An example of the Arts Fund application can be found here.

• American Australian Association-AFNGA AusArt Scholarship Application Form

About:

The winner of the American Australian Association – Australian Fashion Foundation (AUSFF) Scholarship Award will receive a US$20,000 grant as well as an internship with a global fashion powerhouse in the United States where they will gain world class, hands on international experience. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree program, be a recent graduate of a degree program, or have 3-5 years work experience in a related field.

To apply, applicants must submit a portfolio including a resume, a link to their Instagram, and proof of Australian citizenship/permanent residency via AUSFF’s online portal. Applications are open through November 24th, 2022. Applicable fields of study/work include fashion design, fashion marketing, fashion illustration, writing, styling, creative directing, photography, public relations and beyond.

Selected finalists will be invited to participate in the final virtual judging competition which will be held the week of December 10th, 2022. For more information and to apply, students are encouraged to the AUSFF website: www.ausff.org or contact: [email protected].

AUSFF Website

Submission Period:

Open for application until November 24, 2022.

About:

The American Australian Association – Onbass Fellowship offers a full tuition scholarship to the AFI Conservatory. The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming Australian Fellow beginning in the 2024 academic year for a Master of Fine Arts degree in one of six disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.

Submission Period:

Open for application January 1 to February 1, 2024.

Closed

Eligibility requirements:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (dual Australian citizens or permanent residents are not eligible);
• Be enrolled on an AFI Master of Fine Arts degree in Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design or Screenwriting and have a formal offer letter at the time of application.

Application requirements:

• Basic information
• Proof of Citizenship
• Bio Video
• Goals and Objectives of Artistic Development
• Resume
• Credits and Awards (including festival screenings)
• Supporting Materials (Reel or samples of work)
• Minimum of 2 References (a recognized authority in the arts or entertainment industry)

Please also note;

• You cannot apply if you have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by the American Australian Association.

About:

The American Australian Association, in partnership with APRA AMCOS, offers the Global Professional Development Award of US$10,000 to one emerging or mid-career Australian artist, songwriter, or producer to undertake career development in the United States. Career development includes, but is not limited to, recording/producing an album, writing and collaboration sessions, and travel costs associated with career development. This award is only open to APRA AMCOS members.

Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of proposed project and how this will benefit cross-cultural exchange between the United States and Australia.

Submission Period:

Open for application January 1 to March 31.

Closed

Eligibility requirements:

• Be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident of Australia (dual citizens are not permitted to apply);
• Be a member of APRA AMCOS.

Application requirements; 

• A written proposal of their planned project in the United States, outlining how this will enhance their career;
• A projected budget;
• 3 examples of artistic work (audio/video);
• At least 2 professional references to submit a Letter of Recommendation through the online applications portal.
• 6 digit APRA AMCOS member number

Please also note;

• Applications must be prepared and submitted by the applicant (not a third party);
• You cannot apply if you have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by the American Australian Association.

About:

The American Australian Association – First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN) Writer in Residence USA Fellowship is tailored for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers, poets, or storytellers. This six-month program offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself creatively in the United States and is designed to foster literary connections and amplify Indigenous voices whilst engaged in a supportive academic environment and collaborating with faculty and fellow First Nations creatives.

Throughout the program the awardee will be an ambassador, showcasing and celebrating of the rich traditions of First Nations literature and contributing to greater awareness and understandings of traditional Country perspectives and storytelling traditions. The program provides support of US $40,000, with the awardee primarily based between the AAA headquarters in New York and Boston, with additional national engagements as required.

Members of the First Nations Australia Writers’ Network (FNAWN) are warmly encouraged to apply, although FNAWN membership is not a pre-condition to application or award. For more information, contact the Education Manager: [email protected]

Submission Period:

Open for application April 10 to May 5.

Open

Eligibility requirements:

• Be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident of Australia (dual citizens are not permitted to apply);
• Be a recognized member of an Indigenous Australian or Torres Strait Islander community.

Application requirements; 

• A written proposal of their planned project in the United States, outlining how this will enhance their career;
• A projected budget;
• 4-5 examples of previous work (of 500 words or more);
• At least 2 professional references to submit a Letter of Recommendation through the online applications portal.