Unlocked Grant Program

Overview

Murray Arts is pleased to announce our much-loved micro-grant program UNLOCKED is back this Summer 2025, just in time for all those creative development endeavours that we know you are dreaming up over the break!

The Summer 2025 round of UNLOCKED will offer 10 grants of $1,500 each to support professional creative development.

UNLOCKED was an initiative developed as a response to the massive disruption that COVID-19 Pandemic caused across the creative industry, and tailored to artists in the Murray Arts footprint. Since UNLOCKED was launched in June 2020, we have given a total of $103,315 in funding, across 8 rounds, supporting 129 Individual grant recipients and 22 collectives.

Our footprint borders the Indigenous Nations of Duduroa, Yaithmathang, Bangarang, Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta & Wavaroo and encompasses the local government areas of Albury City, Greater Hume, Federation, City of Wodonga, Indigo and Towong. Independent artists and creatives who live, work and or connect in an ongoing way with the Murray Arts footprint are welcome to apply.

Objective

Recipients might use the funds to:

• Develop existing work
• Develop/refine their creative business and seek advice
• Fund a residency
• Purchase material or equipment to develop creative work
• Attend a professional development opportunity, event or conference
• Collaborate with another creative or mentor

Eligibility

Who can apply?

• The UNLOCKED – Summer of 2025 program is open to artists who live, work, and connect with the Murray Arts local government areas of Albury City, Greater Hume, Federation Shire, City of Wodonga, Indigo Shire and Towong Shires.
• Our definition of an independent professional creative artist is someone who earns an income (primary or supplementary) from their creative practice. You will need to have an active ABN.
• Applications are welcomed from artists practicing in all mediums, including visual art, performance, circus, dance, design, music, film, sculpture, digital, creative education, and writing.
• Applicants are encouraged to the Murray Arts Creatives Directory
• If successful, you will need to invoice Murray Arts for the agreed fee. The amount listed does not include GST.
• No insurance, superannuation and or workers compensation is offered as part of the UNLOCKED program, it is the responsibility of the successful applicants to ensure they are meeting their own personal/business requirements for these considerations.

DETAILS

UNLOCKED Summer 2025 opens Monday 4 November and closes Sunday 17 November at 5pm.

Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 2 December 2024 and all payments will be made by January 31 , 2025.

The aim is for successful applicants to complete their funded UNLOCKED creative development project by mid-2025.

After the activity is completed, successful artists will be required to submit an image, short video or audio accompanied by a brief summary about their UNLOCKED funded creative development. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a UNLOCKED ZOOM networking meeting, in early 2025, for connection and sharing.

Funding range

Grants of $1500 are available for professional development activities.

Eligible activities

Projects including but not limited to:

• Workshops
• Arts activities as part of community festivals or events
• Artist-in-residence programs
• Public art and design projects
• Performances
• Arts and cultural directories
• Community seminars and forums
• Exhibitions
• Other local arts initiatives

Assessment

Applications are evaluated by a panel including Murray Arts Staff, Board and LGA Representatives. Every applicant will be informed of their outcome.

When assessing the applications, the panel will consider the impact of the proposed activity or purchase on the artist’s creative practice, wellbeing, or business.

How to Apply:

Apply via the UNLOCKED application online form.

If the online form does not meet your access needs, please contact Murray Arts for a word document version.

Applications close on Sunday 17 November 2024 at 5pm.

For more information and assistance with your application contact:

Julien Bonnel
Executive Support & Grants Officer
jbonnel@murrayarts.org.au
0455 466 903