Visions of Australia is one of the Australian Government’s most successful cultural programs. It provides funding to tour exhibitions of a wide range of cultural material, from art and craft, social history and science, to artefacts and items of Indigenous heritage. Since its inception in 1993, it has provided almost $19.6 million in grants for more than 500 exhibition projects across the country.
In the program’s latest round the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, announced funding of more than $1.1 million to develop and tour 19 exhibitions. Almost half the successful grant recipients were regionally based galleries and cultural organisations, many of which also receive significant support through Local Government.
Exhibitions funded by the program have visited venues all over Australia, providing access to high quality cultural material that otherwise may not be seen outside of metropolitan parts of the country. In addition to full tours, Visions funding is also available to develop and tour exhibition components.
A recent $79,755 grant was provided to Artspace Mackay to tour its upcoming Fireworks exhibition around Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in 2005 and 2006. In welcoming the grant Mackay Mayor, Councillor Julie Boyd, said the exhibition was an example of how the gallery is being recognised as a leader in its field.
Regional organisations are encouraged to submit proposals that showcase their significant cultural collections to audiences around the nation. Applications are now invited for Visions of Australia development and touring grants, with Round 24 closing on 1 April 2005.
Check out projects in your area that have received Visions funding. A list of recipients is available on the Visions’ web site below. Organisations in your area may be happy to share their experiences of the Visions Australia program.
Contact the Visions’ secretariat to discuss your application, leaving time to make any changes or refinements and ensuring your application is accompanied by high quality support material, including images.
Further information on the Visions program, including downloadable guidelines and applications forms, is available at www.dcita.gov.au/visions. You can also contact the secretariat on (02) 6271 1627 or call toll free to leave a message on 1800 819 461.
