Production and Commissioning Fund

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the First World War, $4 million has been committed to an Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund.

The theme of the Anzac Centenary is a century of service. Projects supported through the Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund will tell the story of the Anzacs and how their sacrifice shaped our nation. Artistic expression will convey a multitude of themes, stories, reflections and messages about Australia’s experiences of war at home and abroad in powerful and diverse ways, contributing an extra dimension to the broader Anzac Centenary commemorative program.

The Arts and Culture Fund is being delivered through two funding streams – a $2 million Public Grants Program and a $2 million Production and Commissioning Fund.

• There will be one round of the Public Grants program which will open to all applicants in June 2014.

• The Production and Commissioning Fund will be by invitation only.  Selected project proponents will be invited to submit an application at the beginning of June with applications closing on 24 June 2014. 

The Production and Commissioning Fund will:

• support a comprehensive program of high quality arts and cultural activities throughout the four years of the Anzac Centenary
• balance the need to both support new projects and to enhance or expand existing projects
• support large-scale projects with national reach in both capital cities and regions.
• support at least one project to be delivered in each Australian state and territory
• support projects across the full range of artforms, including the creative industries.

To be considered for funding through the Production and Commissioning Fund, projects must:

1. focus on at least one theme related to the Centenary of Australia’s experiences of war at home and abroad
2. involve at least three partners. Each partner must contribute at least 10% of the total project value either in cash or in kind contributions. Partner contributions greater than 30% and additional private sector support will be considered favourably.
3. enhance understanding of the Anzac legacy, the impacts of service on those returning from war, the contribution of women, Indigenous Australians, Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those on the home front, in Australia’s war efforts
4. have a broad geographical reach
5. tell a story that is of national significance
6. respect the commemorative involvement, service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women, and of other nations involved in military conflicts. Projects that do not enhance understanding of the Anzac legacy or fit within the spirit of the Anzac Centenary commemorative program will be ineligible.

Creative Advisor and Culture Fund Advisory Panel

The Government has announced the appointment of Sir Jonathon Mills AO FRSE as the Creative Advisor for the Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund.

Sir Jonathan Mills’ previous positions include Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Melbourne Federation Festival, the Melbourne Millennium Eve celebrations and the Brisbane Biennial International Music Festival. In 2006, Sir Jonathan was the Artistic Director of the Edinburgh International Festival. He graduated in music from the University of Sydney where he specialised in composition with Peter Sculthorpe and his composition Sandakan Threnody won the Prix Italia in 2005.

The Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund Advisory Panel members are:

• Wesley Enoch, Artistic Director, Queensland Theatre Company
• Nicholas Heyward, CEO, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
• The Hon. Rod Kemp, former Minister for the Arts
• The Hon. Brendan Nelson, Director, Australian War Memorial
• Josephine Ridge, Creative Director, Melbourne Festival
• Margaret Seares, Chair, Perth International Arts Festival
• Ben Quilty, artist
• Tony Walker, International Editor, Australian Financial Review.

The Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund features a Production and Commissioning Fund led by Sir Jonathan and a $2 million Public Grants program managed by the Ministry for the Arts. The Public Grants program, which will launch later this year, will be open to arts organisations, groups, individuals and cultural institutions.

For more information see Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund.