Speak to the Poets Union's Martin Langford martinlangford@bigpond.com about 'ArtStart' a new arts funding initiative announced by the Federal Government - $10,000 grants for internships or attachments with an arts organisation like the Poets Union.

Dear Poets Union members and friends,

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. Individual artists from all art forms may apply for a grant of up to $10,000.

This grant will be of particular interest to graduate applicants who may apply for attachments or internships with arts organisations like the Poets Union.

Applications: Please note it is the graduate that applies rather than the organisation.

Eligibility: The applicant is eligible to apply if they have graduated from accredited artist training in the last 3 years or if they will graduate prior to the start date of each grant round.

Closing date: The first closing date is 26th October 2009 and they are encouraging applicants to submit applications via their online system. Decisions will be advised in December 2009 and the start date is 1 January 2010, finishing 31 December 2010.

Please see links below to further information on the Australia Council website –

http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/grants/grants/artstart
http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/news/news_items/artstart_to_give_artists_a_head_start

For any queries about the grant, please contact ArtStart@australiacouncil.gov.au

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All creative arts graduates are welcome to discuss possible ArtStart internships or associations with the Poets Union and discuss other ideas they may have with Martin Langford of the Poets Union committee.

Email: Martin Langford martinlangford@bigpond.com