FORM

The Australian Government will introduce a new, simpler form of assistance to companies seeking to take their ideas to market from early January 2010. Commercialisation Australia will ensure assistance is tailored to meet each applicant's needs rather than trying to make their application fit the program. Applicants at the proof of concept stage may be eligible for funding of up to $250,000, and additional, repayable assistance of up to $2 million will be available for early-stage commercialisation activities.

Innovation and Business Skills Australia, the Industry Skills Council for the Cultural and related industries, has just commenced a project to develop new higher level national qualifications in the areas of visual arts and craft, ceramics, and graphic design as well as review the current national training package, to meet stakeholder needs and policy requirements. The involvement and input of artists and organisations is welcomed and encouraged: please visit the IBSA website for more information about the project and how to participate.

Due to federal government stimulus funding, Riddoch Art Gallery will be closed in 2010 for a major redevelopment. The Needham Religious Art Prize 2010 has been postposted until 2011. The next Needham Prize will be held in March‒April 2011. Entry forms and further information will be available from July 2010.

New for iPhone-addicted jewelers and metalsmiths is the application iMakeJewelry. Use it to check precious metal prices, calculate sheet, wire and wax weights, ring blank lengths, find alloy recipes and information on stones, to calculate weight conversions from wax to metal or silver to gold and convert weight and area measurements from English to metric. Also included are tables for drill bit sizes and B&S gauges. Available online through application sales websites.

Application kits are now available for the 2010 Tom Malone Prize for Australian glass art. Each year, $10,000 is awarded to the winner and the winning work becomes part of the state art collection at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. For further information or application kits, see http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/exhibitions/TomMalonePrize.asp or contact Robert Cook, associate curator contemporary art on (08) 9492 6618, or email robert.cook@artgallery.wa.gov.au. Entries close at 5pm, Friday 29 January 2010.

This trust seeks to encourage the diversity and excellence of emerging artists in Australia with grants of up to $7,000 to artists practicing in visual arts and crafts, design etc. Closing date for 2010 applications: 1 February 2010 (for project/travel after 14 May 2010), 1 June 2010 (for project/travel after 10 September 2010), 13 September 2010 (for project/travel after 17 December 2010). Further information: (03) 9650 3188 or http://culturaltrust.ianpotter.org.au

Art Monthly Australia is calling for entries in open and student categories for a previously unpublished article between 1000 and 1500 words on the theme of 'art and community'. The style and form of the article is entirely open. There is no official application form. Multiple entries are allowed. Entrants should submit a cover page with name, contact details and the title(s) of article submitted. Articles should be formatted in Word using 12 pt font, 1.5 line spacing, with pagination. The title of the article should appear at the front (or as a header/footer), but please do not include your name on any of the article’s pages. Accompanying images must be included as separate jpg image files (low to medium resolution) or printed images. Entries can either be emailed to art.monthly@anu.edu.au (with Emerging Writer’s Award in the subject line) or posted to Art Monthly Australia Emerging Writer’s Award, LPO Box 8321 ANU, Acton ACT 0200. Deadline: Close of business, 26 February 2010.

This acquisitive prize is open to Australian and New Zealand artists within the first five years of their professional practice. Four artists are selected annually to have their work featured on the back cover of Art & Australia, plus a profile of their practice. One work from each artist will be purchased for the Art & Australia collection. For more information, please see http://www.visualarts.net.au/grantsprizes/ANZ_AA. Application forms will be available in 2010; submissions will be due 1 March 2010.

The ArtStart program provides financial assistance to artists who have recently graduated in creative arts to help them establish a professional arts practice or gain employment as an artist. Grants are provided to fund services, resources and activities that help graduate artists to build an income-generating career in the arts practice they have studied. Next closing date: 8 March 2010. For more information, see http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/grants/grants/artstart.

Entries are now being accepted from Australian artists for the 2010 City of Hobart Art Prize. This year's categories are digital media and ceramics, with cash prizes totalling $38,500. Entries are due 17 March 2010. For all guidelines and entry criteria, please see www.hobartcity.com.au/artprize, email boothb@hobartcity.com.au or ring (03) 6238 2778.

Melbourne’s Metro Gallery announces its 2010 painting exhibition and acquisitive award, with total prize money of $50,000 (including a $10,000 people’s choice award). Judging panel comprises arts industry members including one past Metro Award winner and the Hon. Jeff Kennett. Artists under the age of 35 may submit one painting; submissions must include five high-quality identical photographs of the submitted work. Entries due 31 March 2010; exhibition commences 8 June 2010. For full details see www.metrogallery.com.au, email alex@metrogallery.com.au or anita@metrogallery.com.au or ring (03) 9500 8511.

Entries for the new Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Art Award are now open for both Australian and International ceramic artists. The Shepparton Art Gallery has made a number of significant changes, including increased prize monies, intended to provide better career development opportunities for Australian ceramicists as well as more strategic collecting for the gallery and a greater depth to the exhibition and associated publishing. There will be three recipients of the award, each of whom will receive a stipend to produce a body of work for exhibition, on the understanding that the gallery will select one work for its collection. Awards will be in the following categories: Australian Artist (AUD$25,000 cash component); International Artist (AUD$25,000 cash component); Emerging Australian (AUD$5,000 cash component). For more information, including online application and conditions of entry, please see http://www.sheppartonartgallery.com.au/exhibitionprogram/smfacaa/. Applications close 2 April 2010.

The Lethbridge Gallery in Brisbane is hosting the Lethbridge 10,000, an exciting new art competition open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks. Entrants may submit paintings, drawings and 2D artworks up to 60cm in any direction. $10 000 will be awarded to the winner. Entries close 23 April 2010. Exhibition dates: 22 May 2010-5 June 2010. For more information, see https://www.brettlethbridge.com/10000_terms.php or ring (07) 3369 4790.

Funding towards fees for South Australian artists participating in the concept development stage of a project. Applications date: open. Visit the Arts SA website at www.arts.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4 for funding guidelines, application forms and to download the 2009 funding handbook. Further information: (08) 8463 5444, artssa@dpc.sa.gov.au or www.arts.sa.gov.au.

The grants section of WA’s Department of Culture and the Arts website is undergoing an update to include all the new grants information for 2010. You can find all the current handbooks and forms at http://dcawa.clients.squiz.net/funding.

CreateBiz is a resource to help artists to access government support programs. It provides state-by-state and national lists of business, research, innovation and export programs that may assist artists to access new sources of income. Whether you are an artist seeking government funding for an export program, or to commercialise a product, CreateBiz may be a useful first point in your research. Visit http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/grants/createbiz and select your region for more info.

The Sturt School in Mittagong NSW is seeking expressions of interest from potters and ceramic artists to take up residency positions at Sturt Pottery. These positions are available for periods of either three months or six months. Applications are open now. For applications and more information see www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/sturt_pottery.htm or contact Megan Patey via email at mpatey@sturt.nsw.edu.au or ring (02) 4860 2080.

Applications are open for a minimum four-week residency at Tamsworth Arts Centre. Opportunities exist for applicants to present workshops, give talks, and exhibit work undertaken during the residency program. Residency places run all year round, and length can be varied to suit the artist. For further information contact Elizabeth McIntosh at e.mcintosh@tamworth.nsw.gov.au, or ph: (02) 6767 5459.

The School of Visual and Performing Arts in Launceston annually offers 4 seven-week residencies for practitioners in visual arts, design, theatre and curatorial/arts management practices. Residencies commence in February, April, July and September; other possibilities also considered. There is no formal application form. Artists wishing to apply should send an electronic proposal containing a CV, 10 JPEG images of recent work, a video file of performance material, or a Word document of written material. Please identify two times that would be suitable to your needs. For further information please ring (03) 6324 4400, email Academy.Admin@utas.edu.au or see www.acadarts.utas.edu.au.

Artists at the Armory is a multi-discipline program providing a studio-based working environment for residencies of one to three months; access to the facilities is available in return for participation in programs. Studio hire is also available. For more information including application forms please see http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/Visiting/arts_and_culture/creative_community/artists_at_the_armory or contact Tony Nesbitt at arts@sydneyolympicpark.com.au or (02) 9714 7110.

The three-month individual residency at the European Ceramic Workcentre is intended for professional artists, designers and architects who would like to learn more about ceramics as a medium or who would like to acquire more in-depth knowledge of ceramics. An international selection committee will assess the applications and make selections based on documentation of the last five years’ work and an activity plan. A materials budget is available for some residents. For more info including application form and guidelines, please see http://www.ekwc.nl/index.cfm?chapter_id=24. Upcoming deadline for applications: 15 April 2010.

Applications are now open for this program at 89 Mayne Street, Gulgong, and “Summervale”, 4 kms from Gulgong in NSW. Participants may exhibit work during their residency at 89 Mayne Street Gallery or at a later date by arrangement. Artists may offset accommodation costs by conducting workshops, seminars or lectures during their residency. Details can be arranged at time of booking. For more details contact the Cudgegong Gallery on (02) 6374 1630 or visit http://www.cudgegonggallery.com.au/air-program.php?gID=3.

The State of Design Festival has opened a national call for expressions of interest for the Festival’s public program, Design for Everyone. Once again, the team at State of Design Festival are planning for a diverse and accessible program of events that creatively respond to the 2010 theme, ‘Change by Design’. The Festival will run from 14 – 25 July, 2010.

Design for Everyone provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to demonstrate how design is improving living conditions, creating sustainable development opportunities and generating new and innovative products and services. The Festival is now seeking expressions of interest for public exhibitions, projects, installations, seminars, workshops and creative events to be included in the 2010 program. For more information, visit The State of Design website: http://stateofdesign.com.au/.

Are you a creative young Australian determined to make a career in the arts? Or do you know someone who is?

A new program to support the arts leaders of tomorrow has been launched by the Australia Council for the Arts. JUMP is a national mentoring program offering young and emerging artists the opportunity to develop a one on one relationship with an experienced professional in their chosen field.

Get access to project funding, skills development, online profiling, and creative showcasing opportunities, and connect with industry nationwide.

Applications close 26 February. Visit www.jumpmentoring.com.au for details.

The Chalk Up Art Competition aims to bring together a variety of artists to create artworks on the pavement leading to the site of the At the Beach concert, part of the City’s annual Summerset Festival. They are seeking Expressions of Interest to help us bring this project to life. Successful artists will be paid a retainer of $500 and will be competing for the People’s Choice Award of $1000. For more information, visit the City of Stirling website: http://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/home/community/Culture+Arts+and+Events/Arts+Development+and+Community+Arts.htm

Emerging and prominent sculptors are invited to submit entries for both interior and exterior installation for the Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition 2010. Prizes total approximately $8,000, supported by a prestigious opening in Toorak Village, a full colour catalogue, signage, posters and a media campaign. Download entry form at http://www.tooraksculpture.com.au/2010.htm. Entries close 31 January 2010. For more info, contact Tracey Cammock on 0438 542 713 or email tracey@toorakvillage.com.au.

Artist-run collective free range welcomes well-considered, critically engaged, and ambitious proposals from practicing artists and curators working in any medium for solo or group shows, performances, and projects for their 2010 program. Our program aims to include a diversity of art practices, and work that is experimental and innovative, and supports emerging and established artists working across a broad range of critical practices. Applications are assessed monthly by the free range committee. For more information, see http://www.freerange.org.au/proposals/ or contact free range at info@freerange.org.au.

New jewellery gallery Lustre Galleries in Adelaide is organising its exhibition list for 2010; new artists are welcome to approach the gallery with jewellery and small-scale sculpture for sale on consignment. There is also 6 m of wall space with picture rail. For details contact Christine Pyman on (08) 8410 2061, lustregalleries@virginbroadband.com.au or drop in at 18 Peel Street and visit noon‒6pm W‒F, 2‒5pm Sat.

The International Specialised Skills Institute has new overseas fellowship reports available on a wide range of specialised skills and industries including fashion and textiles, conservation and restoration of heritage and art objects, architectural glass and floristry design. The executive summary for each of the report snapshots is available for on the ISS Institute website at http://www.issinstitute.org.au/os/index.html. For more info or complete versions of any of these reports, please contact the ISS Institute on (03) 9882 0055 or issi@pacific.net.au.

Volume 3: The Carbon Issue of Craft & Design Enquiry looks at sustainability in craft and design. What is the impact of climate change on craft and design practice? Guest editor Kevin Murray welcomes academic papers documenting research that contributes to an understanding of craft and design issues in relation to sustainability. For further information please contact Jenny Deves, managing editor, jenny.deves@craftaustralia.org.au.

Mind Your Arts combines business development seminars for artists as well as the popular ‘Back to Basics’ hands-on art workshops facilitated by experienced artists and art teachers. Workshops are running from the 2nd February to the 21st. For more information call the City on 9345 8555.

This course will help you discover new approaches to planning and making glass works; uited to artists, craftspeople and designers. Primarily a fusing class there will also be opportunity for some hot and cold working plus elementary casting. 11‒14 August 2010, The Glass Furnace, Istanbul. Tuition is €845 plus tax; accommodation is €600 plus tax. For information email apply@glassfurnace.org or phone +90 216 433 30 21.

Join Robert Reason, Jeff Mincham, Angela Valamanesh, Kirsten Coelho and Stephen Bowers in conversation, view the exhibition Bravura and share your thoughts about the notion of place within the philosophical, material and aesthetic realms of contemporary craft. 30 January 2010, 2-4 pm, Function Room 2, Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide. For more information, ring (08) 8207 7009, email o'connor.david@saugov.sa.gov.au or see www.artgallery.sa.gov.au.

New ranges, new talent and the best designs from Australia and overseas, with free marketing workshops, the International Industry Seminar Series featuring Kathryn Ireland, Milou Ket, Fiona Barker, Sarah Lahey and Marie O’Mahoney, and a new interior design concept showcase. 3‒5 February 2010 at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Habour. To visit and book seminars register at www.aiff.net.au. More info: 1300 656 184 or email furniturevisitor@aec.net.au.

The Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia is holding Re-source: prospects for contemporary jewellery and object making, its 14th Biennial Conference, in Perth. The conference brings together practitioners, educators, collectors, critics and cultural theorists for three days of discussion, debate, interaction and the exchange of ideas, with workshops in the three days preceding and the week following. Anyone interested in holding a workshop or exhibition in conjunction with the conference is encouraged to submit proposals. Earlybird rego until 5 February 2010; conference dates 9–11 April 2010, Perth WA. Further information: Jacquie Sprogoe jsprogoe@bigpond.net.au or www.jmgawa.com.au

The conference is a cross-disciplinary forum that brings together researchers, teachers and practitioners to discuss the nature and future of design. 13‒15 February 2010. University of Illinois, Chicago, USA. For more info, see www.Design-Conference.com.

Registrations are now open for the SA Clever Green Conference & Showcase, 15-16 February 2010, showcasing the latest in green technologies and market opportunities. Attendees will hear from internationally recognised speakers and national decision makers including the Hon. Mike Rann MP, Senator Penny Wong, and Professor John Byrne, joint recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on climate change. Register online at www.southaustralia.biz/clevergreen.

The Arts Activated conference provides an opportunity for those passionate about the arts and disability sectors to come together to explore, debate, discuss, and connect ideas and practice. The conference will also celebrate the accomplishments of and provide showcase opportunities for artists with a disability. Conference dates: 25‒26 March 2010, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Further information: (02) 9251 6499 info@aarts.net.au or www.aarts.net.au/arts-activated-conference-2010

The 22nd International Sculpture Conference of the International Sculpture Center will explore and consider the potential of sculpture in the 21st century, to provide an opportunity to celebrate its vitality and diversity and its capacity to challenge, and to examine its current position, function and production. 7‒9 April 2010. University of Arts, London UK. Further information: www.sculpture.org.

Geared toward artists, collectors, scholars, students and educators, GAS 2010 will be held 10-12 June 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. Register online now and download the pre-conference brochure from http://www.glassart.org/2010_louisville.html Email info@glassart.org for more details.