Guidelines released for Catalyst - Australian Arts and Culture Fund

The guidelines for Catalyst - Australian Arts and Culture Fund have been released.

Catalyst (formerly known as the National Program for Excellence in the Arts) will provide funding of $12 million each year to small, medium and large arts organisations at a national, regional and community level.

Priorities for the program include innovative projects by small to medium organisations, and projects that increase participation of regional Australians in the arts and enhance our international reputation.

Funding can support activities such as performances, exhibitions, tours, development and creation of new work, festivals, investment in foundation or fellowship programs, and infrastructure and capacity-building projects.

Arts Minister Mitch Fifield announced the new program today following consultation with the arts sector. The Minister has also restored $8 million per year to the Australia Council to primarily support small to medium organisations.

Catalyst will complement the programs of the Australia Council and Creative Partnerships Australia which encourages private sector support to the arts.

Catalyst funding is available from three streams: partnerships and collaborations; innovation and participation; and international and cultural diplomacy.

Applications will be assessed with the assistance of independent assessors. So far, over 300 assessors are registered with the Ministry for the Arts including artists, curators, philanthropists and audience members.

Applications to Catalyst open on Friday 27 November.

To see the guidelines and eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry for the Arts website.

Read the Minister’s media release announcing Catalyst.