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Regional Arts Fund (NSW) - Frequently Asked Questions

The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative
supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia.

 

You can download a copy of these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Word or PDF [see top right].

Where can we get a copy of the RAF Application Form?
You can download the RAF Instructions, Guidelines and Application Form from the Regional Arts Fund pages of the Grants section of the Regional Arts NSW website here. This is an online Application Form which can be completed on your computer and then emailed directly to Regional Arts NSW or printed out and either posted or hand delivered.  If you are unable to use the online version contact Regional Arts NSW on 02 9270 2502 and ask for an alternative version to be posted or emailed to you.

Do we have to use the RAF Application Form?
Yes.  The RAF Application Form for NSW must be used. All questions must be answered and can be typed straight into the application form .

I'm using a Mac to fill in the form, and things don't seem to be working...

If you double click on the PDF application form to open it on your Mac, it will most likely try to open it using "Preview", which is PDF viewing software that comes with the latest Mac operating systems.

"Preview" will NOT be able to let you use the extended functionality necessary to be able to fill out the form correctly, since it is designed for only very simple use of PDF documents.

To fill out the form correctly, you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader from http://get.adobe.com/reader and open the form using this software. It is a free download.

Can we add information on additional (attached) pages?
The application form provides sufficient space to adequately answer all questions and no additional pages should be required.  Support letters and printed support material should be the only additional pages submitted with your application.

When are applications due?
Applications must be emailed or hand delivered by 5pm on the closing date, 12 August 2011, or postmarked (showing the date) before or on the closing date.

Can we email or fax our application?
You cannot fax your application. You may email your application only if it is completed using the PDF version of the application form.

Is there any way we can apply to undertake my project if we are not a legally constituted body?
Yes. You can approach a body (local government or council, arts council, local cultural organisation) to auspice the grant for you.

What is auspicing?
’Auspicing’ occurs when a body (council, arts and/or cultural organisation) which is legally constituted agrees to administer that grant on behalf of another group. The auspicing body (council, arts and / or cultural organisation) signs the declaration form on the Application Form. If the grant is approved, the auspicing body is paid the funds and signs the Conditions for Payment of Grant which means that they are responsible for the administration and acquittal of the funds.

Can we apply for more than one project in the round?
Yes, but each project is assessed on its own merit so submitting more than one application will not necessarily increase your chance of success. It is also extremely unlikely that more than one application will be funded, given the demand on program funds.
Note: A full application for each project should be submitted.

How much can we apply for?
There is no set limit but applicants requesting more than $20,000 must contact the Funding Manager at Regional Arts NSW.

Can we apply for funding for more than one year?
Generally you can apply for two and three year funding in all categories but some years this may not be possible due to requirements of RANSW’s Agreement with the Federal Government regarding completion of and reporting on projects.  It is strongly recommended that applicants contact the Funding Manager at Regional Arts NSW to discuss longer term projects before applying.  Grantees approved two and three year funding receive funding on an annual basis and pending a satisfactory progress reports approved by the RAF Assessment Panel.

Note that applications for two and three year funding need to provide budget details and project plan for each year of the project.

Can an individual apply?
No. The applicant must be an organisation / agency / group.

Can a school or tertiary institution apply for RAF funding?
Yes, as long as the activity is eligible according to the criteria of the Fund – that is, it is not a curriculum-based activity or course of ongoing education and training in a government or private institution, or academic activity that is part of an academic program.

Can metro-based organisations apply for funding?
Yes, but strong evidence of benefits to and support from regional communities must be demonstrated.

Does our application have to fulfil all objectives of the Regional Arts Fund?
No, but each application is assessed according to the degree to which it fulfils each of the objectives.

Can we apply for administrative costs of the project?
Administrative costs of the project will be considered. Ongoing core administration costs of the applicant organisation are not eligible.

Can we apply for materials?
Yes, as long as they are integral to the running of the project and are not ‘significant’ assets (see ‘What activities are NOT eligible’ in the Regional Arts Fund Guidelines).

What if my project fits into more than one category?  Which one should I chose?
Because of the broad objectives of RAF and the multi-faceted nature of arts and cultural projects, many applications could be relevant to any (or all) of the three categories (New Initiatives, Partnerships, Residencies & Mentorships). All applications, regardless of category, are assessed according to the broad RAF objectives and there is no specific financial allocation for each category. Applicants are recommended to chose a category of “best fit” and / or according to the main focus of the project.

What constitutes a Partnership?
It is expected that ‘Partners’ will make an equal contribution to the project. This contribution can be in the form of skills and expertise, financial or in-kind assistance. Priority is also given to projects that identify and create new partnerships and projects in which the partnerships are important in promoting sustainability.

In the Mentorships category, can we apply for fees for the person being mentored?
Yes. Fees can be paid to both the mentor and the mentoree.

What is the difference between a Residency and a Mentorship?
A Residency generally involves the employment of an artist-in-residence, for example, to conduct workshop programs with a group of people in a particular environment.
A Mentorship generally involves a one-to-one relationship with a mentor providing on-the-job training for a mentoree.

Do I need to confirm all artists in my application?

Not all applicants are able to confirm names of artists/mentors/mentorees at the time of application due to the selection being part of the project.   In these cases, applicants should clearly describe the selection criteria and processes in their application.

How do we complete the budget page?
The budget section of the Application Form contains clear explanatory notes and is designed to help you consider all the expenses that may be involved in your project.    As you are entering the income and expenditure costs on the online Application Form, you will notice that calculations (totals and transfer of data) are automatically done for you.   If you cannot enter information directly into a specific field, it is likely that you will need to enter data in elsewhere. It is recommended that you contact the Funding Manager at Regional Arts NSW if you would like to discuss any questions related to the budget section of the application.

Can we apply for 100% of the project cost?
RAF will support the entire cost of a project only in special circumstances where significant disadvantage is clearly demonstrated. Otherwise, proposals that identify support (both cash and in-kind) from other funding sources or generate income will be viewed favourably.

What are common errors made by applicants?

• • Instructions in the guidelines and application form are not followed.  If a ‘short bio’ for an artist is requested, do not include a lengthy CV.
  • The budget has been incorrectly completed (although the online Application Form makes this easier for you).  If using other formats, make sure that if you change any of your figures in the budget, you also thoroughly check all calculations.
  • Use of RAF funds is unclear – so make sure that the items to be covered by RAF funds are included in the ‘Detailed Expenditure of RAF Funds’ section on the Budget Summary Page and that the total of these items is the same as the ‘Total RAF Request’ .
  • The application has not been emailed or postmarked by the closing date.
  • There is insufficient and / or irrelevant support material, particularly letters of support and involvement and general evidence of consultation with parties involved in the project.  This especially applies to projects involving Indigenous communities.
  • Project ideas are not clearly and concisely stated.  Remember that Panel members have many applications to read and long, complicated and “difficult to read” applications with irrelevant material may detract from the merit of your project.
  • It is unclear as to whether the requested funds are for new development projects or for already existing ongoing annual programs and core business.

  Further enquiries
  The Funding Manager, Regional Arts NSW
  Tel 02 9270 2502
  Email fundingmanager@regionalartsnsw.com.au