Brent Street is proud to announce its latest initiative, the Brent Street Artist Fund. The Artist Fund is a $20,000 grant awarded annually to a Brent Street alumni who applies and submits a new project, idea or concept.
The grant is designed to be used for a personal or business venture in the arts, ideally that will generate work and movement in the arts industry. The grant could be used for things such as producing a show, establishing a training facility or conducting rural education in the arts; however, Brent Street and the judging panel are open to any ideas.
Exclusive to graduates of Brent Street’s Full Time courses or Academy, applicants will go through a series of rounds of pitching and developing their idea.
Semi-finalists (top three) will be assigned a business and creative mentor to further develop their idea and will then present their idea at the inaugural Brent Street alumni event, held on Sunday 23 January 2022. Alumni in attendance will cast a vote for their favourite one, assisting the panel of judges to award a winner.
Lucas Newland, director of Brent Street, says, “I see so many incredible artists graduate from our courses who just need that little bit of help to kickstart their ideas and careers. The grant offers not only financial assistance but also business and creative workshopping with a mentor, ultimately investing in the applicants so they feel equipped to go and generate work in the arts industry, whether they are the grant recipient or not.”
In less than 12 hours since the announcement of the Artist Fund, notable alumni of Brent Street, Michael Dameski (LA-based, World of Dance, So You Think You Can Dance) and Paris Cavanagh (ICON choreographer, Dream Dance Company) have highlighted their interest in the funding, sharing it on social media. “$20K… it’s on,” says Cavanagh.
“We feel incredibly blessed to be in a position where we can give back to our industry, our alumni and community,” Newland says. “This is a project we’ve wanted to do for years, and we feel now is a more important time than ever to launch it, when everyone is looking for a little bit of light.”
Brent Street welcomes all alumni from the past 35 years to apply with their dream idea or project. Full requirements and information are available at www.brentstreet.com.au/artist-fund. Round One applications close Friday 27 August.