Check this out... over 250 grants available, in many categories!

The British Council's Realise Your Dream is a professional development award open to all Australians aged under 30 who are involved in creative industries. Winning candidates will be flown to the UK to work with a mentor, and even get $8000 to help live the dream. For more information visit the website at www.realiseyourdream.org.au or email realiseyourdream@britishcouncil.org.au with any questions. Applications close 31 July 2008.

The Queensland - Smithsonian Fellowship Program provides fellowships each year to enable Queenslanders to undertake research projects at the Smithsonian Institution. The duration of a Fellowship is for a maximum of 26 weeks and a minimum of 13 weeks with a maximum award of $30,000. Applications close at 5pm on 1 August 2008. Detailed information about the Fellowship Program, including the guidelines and application form, can be found at www.premiers.qld.gov.au/awardsevents.

The National Library is calling for applications for the 2008 Community Heritage Grants. Grants of up to $15,000 are available to community groups around Australia to help preserve and manage locally held, nationally significant cultural heritage collections of documents and objects for future generations. Applications close 30 June 2008. For further information, please visit www.nla.gov.au.

The Australia Council's Community Partnership program provides funding to support arts and cultural development projects and workers. Applications to this fund are now open. Go to www.australiacouncil.gov.au/grants/community_partnerships for more information, including guidelines and application forms.

Arts Queensland's Small to Medium Organisations funding program closes 30 June. For information go to www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding/s2m.html.

The Australian Network for Art and Technology provides quick response funding of up to $3000 for artists to attend national and international events. This fund is on-going. For more information go to www.anat.org.au.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' Contemporary Music Touring Program provides funding of up to $10,000 to professional artists who perform original Australian contemporary music to tour within Australia. Go to www.arts.gov.au/arts/contemporary_music_touring_program. Closes 7 July.

The Harold Mitchell Foundation provides funding for arts activities to organisations with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Status. Go to www.haroldmitchellfoundation.com.au for more information.

The Myer Foundations' Arts and Humanities (Small Grants) program provides funding of up to $30,000 to arts projects. Go to www.myerfoundation.org.au/_109.asp for more information.

Travel Trust

Love travel? Got an idea about how you can use travel to help people from different countries and cultures? An STA Travel Trust grant can help you make it happen.

How you can help

The STA Travel Trust was developed to help individuals and community groups explore the world and in doing so explore the issues of peace, tolerance, justice and equality. You supply your time and skills and we’ll help you with the cash or airfare in return – it's all about learning, experiencing & sharing!

Who decides?

The STA Travel Trust is governed by a voluntary board chaired by David Burns, Managing Director of STA Travel (Australia/New Zealand). Board members represent a cross section of the community and volunteer their time to meet once a year to assess the sponsorship applications.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be over 18 years of age, but there is no upper age limit. Both groups and individuals are welcome to apply. Sponsorships are primarily awarded for projects that have demonstrable benefit to the community through pursuing the objectives of the STA Travel Trust.

For some inspiation, check out the most recent recipients of the STA Travel Trust below:

Travel Trust Recipients

How to apply

Our preferred application format is with these subheadings:

Summary of the nature and purpose of the project
Indication of the resources/funds required
Timeline of project
Why your help is needed and who benefits
Background, history, personnel and references
Recognition of STA Travel Trust support
Contact details for a person able to provide any further information required

Applications longer than two pages will not be considered – we will contact you if more information is required. Applications should identify objectives or desired solution, present a specific plan or agenda, show that the project is planned around an achievable timetable and budget, be innovative and be results or solution oriented.

Applications should be emailed to: traveltrust@statravel.com.au

We know there are many worthwhile causes and, like most Trusts, we receive far more applications for funding than we have funds to grant. Every request will be given due consideration and funding of applicants will be approved at the discretion of the STA Travel Trust’s governing board. Shortlisted applications are invited to present their projects to the board. Please note that where support is declined, the STA Travel Trust does not provide reasons for individual decisions.

When to apply

The STA Travel Trust board meets annually in August.

Applications must therefore reach the Sponsorship Coordinator no later than the 21st May to be considered.

what next?

Where necessary, interviews or meetings will be arranged to gain a clearer picture of the sponsorship request. All applicants will be notified within two weeks of the closing date, with shortlisted applications to be reviewed at the annual board meeting. Once the board selects the successful applicants, recipients will be notified and arrangements for the project made. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to resubmit proposals for subsequent rounds.

So get out there: Travel changes things!

http://www.statravel.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/au_division_web_live/hs.xsl/travel_trust.htm?WT.mc_id=em_mh120508_np_traveltrust

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Gold Coast A-VENUE MUSIC LIVE!

A-Venue Music Live! is a program focussing on just two things: playing great music and having fun! Being part of the A-Venue Music Live! project you'll be playing with other musicians of a similar level and playing the music you love.

A-VENUE MUSIC LIVE! IS AN ADVENTURE THAT BEGINS WITH A JAM AND ENDS WITH A GIG!
The A-Venue Music Live! program provides all the latest gear, the rehearsal space, a coach and even the other members of your band! After the jam you'll rehearse one night a week for 9 weeks and then finish off with a gig for your friends, family and fellow participants. Again it's all arranged, the A-Venue Music Live! program provides the staging, the sound, the lighting and even the roadies. All you have to do is show up, have fun and be a star!!

A-VENUE MUSIC LIVE! - JOIN A BAND FOR FUN & PLAY MUSIC LIVE!
Getting involved in A-Venue Music Live! is easy and all you need is a little time and a good attitude. It's all about fun. No-one will get upset if you play the wrong notes.........and people with an interest in all musical instruments are encouraged – including DJ's, brass, drums, guitar, vocals, percussion…all instruments welcome! Can't read music? No problem. All we ask is that you know one end of a guitar from the other, or drum kit, or keyboard, or microphone.........

The program comprises:

· The big A-Venue Music Live! gig, complete with staging, lighting, sound and roadies all working hard to make you a star.

The course will run over 11 sessions from the Orientation / Jam session on Saturday 5 April to the final concert performance for friends and family on the 18 June.

Bookings are essential, and a commitment to attend all the sessions is required.

Register ASAP to reserve your place at the orientation / jam day!! Email sdevine@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or phone Sara Devine on 5581 7508

equipment and other fantastic opportunities. Filmmakers must be under 18 years of age on 1 January 2008 and be living in Queensland. Films must be less than 8 minutes in length and connected to the theme "My Story". Free Entry, free awards night entry. For more information visit the website: www.youngfilmakersfestivalqueensland.com Entries close 1 July 2008.

The 2008 Desktop Create: Awards (create08) is more than a national design awards program – it is a bridge between industry and design, between business and creativity which offers a range of opportunities for designers and advertisers to communicate beyond the printed page. The audience is targeted, creative, cutting-edge, national and captive. Now in its fourth year, the Desktop Create: Awards program has showcased the best in Australian design from a broad range of design industry areas including illustration, photography, website design, animation, print, packaging and student design. The create08 event will again be a highly publicised industry celebration, designed to bring together all facets of the graphic design industry, from designers and design students to printers, paper merchants, marketing managers, advertising agencies, software and hardware makers and all related suppliers and service providers. More information available on www.createawards.com.au Entries close 3pm on Monday, June 27, 2008.

Fresh Ink Young Writer's Camp Applications
Five young writers who submit scripts will be sent to the Fresh Ink Young Writer's Camp in Adelaide for FREE – from wherever you live in Australia. The camp runs from 12 – 16 May. There you will join reps from youth theatre companies around Australia, all with a keen interest in writing. You will see plays, discuss them, discuss your work and hear it read – plus a lot more.

Queensland Theatre Company - Young Playwrights Program
Queensland Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Program is an opportunity for up to three playwrights between 13 to 26 years of age to participate in a program to develop their script and refine their writing skills. The writers will receive professional script development workshops with industry professionals, a moved reading in Bille Brown Studio and access to Company directors, dramaturges and actors. For more information, visiti http://www.qldtheatreco.com.au/education/young%5Fplaywrights/ The one-act scripts should be submitted by May 8 2008.

Harvest Rain Theatre Company will continue to tour shows and workshops throughout Brisbane primary and high schools as part of its 'on the road' program. Each show and workshop is usually 40 - 60 minutes in length and requires 2-3 performers with singing / acting experience. Harvest Rain is currently recruiting performers to join the touring team, and is calling for expressions of interest now! Employment is on a per show basis, and performers must be available for daytime shows as required. If you're interested in becoming part of the team or learning more about this employment opportunity, please e-mail Emily Gilhome at: emily@harvestrain.com.au more info www.harvestrain.com.au

Be a vital part of the Roundhouse Theatre front of house team. Meet and work with people who share your interest in theatre. Learn new skills. Earn free tickets to performances

The Round House Theatre 'vollies' are very important to the venue. Front-of-house volunteers are the face-to-face contact point between the company and our patrons. As such, we require our volunteers to be friendly, happy, well presented and well informed. No experience is required as full training is provided the first time you come along. Tasks include collecting tickets, guiding patrons around the venue and assisting them to find a seat. The commitment is very flexible – come once a year, once a week or more often – whatever suits you! For every shift that you work you receive one free ticket to a mid-week performance of the production. Visit http://www.laboite.com.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=27 for more information

New Marketing Initiative Dance Made In Queensland launched
Dance Made In Queensland (DMIQ) is a marketing initiative instigated by Arts Queensland and facilitated by Ausdance Queensland. DMIQ is designed to profile and promote tour-ready dance product that has been created in Queensland. Currently, the cyber-document provides details of fifteen companies and independent artists who have tried and tested product available for presentation. Each listing provides an overview of the artist/company, an over view of the product, reviews and sample media releases, promotional video shorts and a selection of images. To view the DPK - go to <http://www.dancemadeinqld.com.au/>

Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative
Six globally renowned artists have agreed to give an unparalleled opportunity to six young emerging artists from around the world to learn from a master in their field. The new mentors for 2008-2009 in the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative are: Rebecca Horn (Visual Arts), Jirí Kylián (Dance), Youssou N'Dour (Music), Martin Scorsese (Film), Wole Soyinka (Literature)and Kate Valk (Theatre). Each artist will choose a protégé from a group of finalists identified by the Rolex international nominating panels. They will then spend a year working one-to-one with their protégé, regularly engaging in extended dialogue, and sharing and refining their creative work. The six protégés will also receive a grant of $25,000 each to enable them to take part, in addition to travel and other major expenses.
For further information visit <http://www.rolexmentorprotege.com>

Work backstage at Gold Coast music events
If you'd like to learn more about stage management, sound production, and the work that goes into staging large music events, a unique project has been launched offering you valuable backstage experience at some of the Gold Coast's biggest music festivals.
The places are limited, so if you are keen, please provide your date of Birth (you must be between 18 and 25 years of age), your address, phone number and email address, and answer the following questions as to why you should get this work experience opportunity: What is your current involvement / interest in the music industry?; What skills and knowledge would you like to gain from this experience?; Why do you think this work experience will be of use to you?

If you have any questions, contact Sara on sdevine@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or call 5581 7508.

ivory 24-7 - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

This prime exhibition space located in Fortitude Valley is perfect for rapid exposure of new works. With the ability to showcase your work to approximately 10,000 viewers daily this is a remarkable opportunity.

Email gallery@artisan.org.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Test Drive the Arts
Based on a successful UK model, Test Drive uses unsold seating capacity at performing arts venues to offer first-time arts patrons a "try before you buy" experience. Subsequent "incentivised" offers are designed to build long term relationships with new audiences and generate ongoing revenue for performing arts venues and companies.
Currently 20 performing arts companies and venues across the state are participating partners in Test Drive through an online promotional platform delivered by ourbrisbane.com <http://ourbrisbane.com> . For further information go to:
<http://www.testdrivethearts.com/get-with-the-program.htm>

Norman Park Substation
Metro Arts is calling for expressions of interest from artists interested in leasing studio space at the Norman Park Substation. Metro Arts will launch its satellite facility in Norman Park, which will provide much needed additional and affordable artist studios and rehearsal spaces.
The Norman Park Substation is a three-way partnership between Metro Arts, Brisbane City Council and Arts Queensland. The facility will provide ongoing value to Metro Arts' Artistic Programs and Biz Arts MAkers program, acting as an important secondary site for Metro Arts' activities and programs. The site was once a disused electricity substation but is now destined to be a creative setting for artists to keep developing and testing new work.
For more info visit: http://www.metroarts.com.au/?page=31 <http://www.metroarts.com.au/?page=31>