The Minderoo Foundation Artist Fund is an annual grant and residency program for independent Western Australian artists to develop or create new work.
Established to support projects from artists in pursuit of sustainable careers, the fund recognises that a thriving creative workforce benefits community. Beyond enjoyable experiences, arts and culture have positive impacts on our health, education, economy, and the cohesion of society.
The fund’s grant and residency opportunities are for mid-career artists to devise, research, progress or complete ambitious projects in any art form.
In acknowledgement of some of the challenges faced by independent artists, the fund will provide additional support through:
- Professional documentation of every project
- Additional funding for primary carers to contribute to the costs of childcare
- A two stage application process: EOI and full application
- A small fee for the shortlisted applicants invited to progress to the second stage of the application process
The opportunities are open to individuals only, however the funding may be used to engage collaborators.
See below for more information about each opportunity.
Important dates
Expressions of interest for 2023 are now closed.
Each year, the Minderoo Foundation Artist Fund will distribute up to six $25,000 grants for the development or creation of new work in Western Australia.
This significant funding opportunity is for projects in any art form with bold scale, depth, or pace that will advance or strengthen an artist’s practice and career.
See About Your Application for more information.
Each year, the Minderoo Foundation Artist Fund will distribute residencies valued at $15,000 for the development or creation of new work.
The Artist Fund residency program in 2022-23 offers opportunities in three extraordinary locations: Minderoo Station in WA’s Pilbara, Forrest Hall overlooking the Swan River in Crawley, and the Minderoo Foundation Exmouth Research Laboratory.
While project work can be undertaken throughout the year, a significant portion or critical element must be completed during the residency.
Read our factsheet for detailed information about each residency or see About Your Application for more information.
Minderoo Station
Duration: 4 weeks
What’s provided:
- Accommodation in a fully furnished, self-contained cottage
- All meals on site
- Travel as required including flights, vehicle transfers, and vehicle hire for the duration
- A space for undertaking work (studio and work-station requirements to be finalised at offer)
- $5,000 grant
Forrest Hall
Duration: 4 weeks
What’s provided:
- Accommodation in a fully furnished, self-contained studio apartment
- Per diems for meals for the duration
- Travel as required including flights, and vehicle transfers to and from Forrest Hall
- A space for undertaking work (studio and work-station requirements to be finalised at offer)
- $5,000 grant
Exmouth Research Lab
Duration: 4 weeks
What’s provided:
- Accommodation in a fully furnished, self-contained share house
- Per diems for meals for the duration
- Travel as required including flights, vehicle transfers and vehicle hire for the duration
- A space for undertaking work (studio and work-station requirements to be finalised at offer)
- $5,000 grant
Your application will be assessed in two stages:
Stage one: Expression of Interest (EOI)
An EOI starts the application process for both Grants and Residencies. The EOI requests preliminary information for our panel to get a sense of the proposed project and your practice.
We welcome alternative submissions for those who require alternative access. Please contact us if you have a request for submitting your EOI or application in a more accessible way.
Due to the number of entries, Minderoo Foundation will not be contacting unsuccessful applicants for feedback.
Stage two: Full Application
A shortlist of EOI applicants will be invited to progress to stage two, to complete full applications. The full application will require detailed information about the project, budget, and support materials.
While each application will be assessed on its own merits, we will also consider the cohort as a whole. The fund aims to celebrate diversity, and to award annual groups with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and art forms.
Your EOI and application should consider and incorporate the following:
- As defined in your own terms, demonstration of the pursuit of advancement for you and your practice.
- Proposed projects should be able to demonstrate outcomes that will benefit the community. This does not mean that there must be a public-facing outcome, but the project should demonstrate or have an intention to provide future positive impact to individuals and groups beyond the artist.
- At Minderoo Foundation, our values are at the heart of everything we do. Full applications will be encouraged to respond to our values.
Your application will be assessed by a panel of peers and advisors.
Please read through the Artist Fund FAQs to ensure your project is suitable.
