National Hearings – Senate Inquiry into the 2014/15 federal budget changes to the arts
National hearings took place in Perth on 1st September and in Hobart on 3rd September. The transcript from the Melbourne hearing (5 August) is now online and further transcripts will be uploaded to the Senate Homepage. The list of speakers for Melbourne, Perth and Hobart are all online now.

The next hearings will be on 11th September in Brisbane and on 18th September in Adelaide. Feral Arts is organising an info session on 10th September in Brisbane, contact ferals@feralarts.com.au for details. Arts Industry Council (SA) is running an industry info session on 17th September at 5.45pm. Click here to listen LIVE to the upcoming hearings (Mac users may need a plugin).

Some key points that were repeated throughout the hearings at the Melbourne, Perth and Hobart hearings (asked by Senators and raised by witnesses) were:

• the interconnected nature of the arts and the impact of the changes on the whole sector;
• the major problems that will arise if individual artists are not eligible for the NPEA;
• The need for and value of transparent, arms length, peer assessment;
• The lack of any consultation or evidence or policy framework for the NPEA;
• Job losses and losses to co-invested projects and programs;
• Voluntary hours that the arts contrinutes to the economy;
• The criteria of NPEA and definitions of excellence.

The Inquiry Report deadline has been extended to 29th November.

7 Sep – Playwriting Australia – Asian-Australian playwrights wanted for LOTUS First Draft
In partnership with Performance 4A, Playwriting Australia’s LOTUS First Draft program aims to unearth, nurture and develop Asian-Australian playwrights. Applications are sought from advanced writers keen to develop a strong theatrical voice through their first full draft. 12 writers will be selected from across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and will undergo 6 months of mentoring, a writers laboratory and intensive. Submissions close Monday 7 September. Read more.

Final Guidelines still to come – National Program for Excellence in the Arts (NPEA)
The Ministry for the Arts is expected to announce the final NPEA guidelines very soon. Responses to the draft Guidelines closed at the end of July, and Minister Brandis has conceded that some changes need to be made to the program in line with sector concern. With the arts industry still calling for the funding to be returned to the Australia Council, there is uncertainty about whether to apply to NPEA or not. Minister Brandis has stated that there have already been requests for funding from the program. The draft guidelines state: “Assessments will be carried out on an ongoing basis, in order of receipt, with recommendations usually made to the Minister for the Arts on a quarterly basis, in the last week of October, January, April and July each year. While there is no closing date, it is recommended that applications are submitted no later than the last week of the month before recommendations are made.” Keep an eye on the Ministry for the Arts website.

Ministry for the Arts seeking EOIs for Independent Assessors – NPEA
The Ministry for the Arts is seeking expressions of interest from arts and culture professionals who would like to independently assess grant applications to the National Program for Excellence in the Arts. EOIs are now open and can be submitted via the Ministry for the Arts website at any time.

25 Sep – Australia Council for the Arts – Registrations now open for the Arts Learning Forum
The Australia Council’s inaugural Arts Learning Forum will be a three day event held at Footscray Community Arts Centre in Melbourne from 25 – 27 November. Featuring national and international speakers, the forum is for arts professionals with a role or interest in arts education, learning or engagement across all art forms, ages and communities. Registrations close on 20 November 2015 (early bird closes 25 September 2015). Find out more.

8 Sep – The Ian Potter Cultural Trust – Grant Round – $7,000
If you are an early career or emerging artist with an opportunity to further your professional development overseas, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $7,000. The Trust primarily provides support for structured professional development overseas such as: postgraduate study, mentoring or private lessons, residencies or study tours. Applications close 8 September. More info.

Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns – MultiArts Residency Program – Applications welcome
Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns residency program incorporates visual arts, music, writing, performance, multimedia and community cultural development for short and long term projects that have a connection to, or presentation outcome at Tanks. Open to local, national and international artists and local community groups. Living accommodation and studio space is available as part of the residency program. There are no application deadlines for this program. More info here.

Petition – We need a National Arts Week on the Australian calendar!
The Arts Party has started a petition to introduce a National Arts Week – an opportunity to celebrate, participate and experience the Arts in every form, by as many Australians as possible across the country. The party sees this as a national engagement priority to be supported by governments and all publicly funded institutions. Like the idea? Sign and share the petition.

2 Nov – Red Stitch – INK 2016 Writing Program
INK – Red Stitch’s initiative to develop new Australian plays – is open to playwrights who are passionate about an original idea for a new play who also have an interest in collaborating with the Red Stitch ensemble actors. Applications will be assessed by a panel of industry professionals. A short list of applicants will then be interviewed to determine the final two INK writers. Submissions close 5pm Monday 2 November. Apply here.

NIDA – Masters of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership)
NIDA’s Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) is a landmark course available to professionals from a range of arts and cultural sectors, including the performing arts, visual arts, museums, galleries and those working in the cultural areas within local authorities and government organisations. Leading arts advocate, Robyn Archer AO will be the inaugural Chair of the MFA (Cultural Leadership). NIDA will host a Masters Info Night on 14 September, 5.30-9pm. Attend in person or stream online. About the course | Register for Info Night

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