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EVALUATION
In 2021, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust Board of Trustees engaged Positive Solutions, an external consultancy specialising in the cultural and non-profit sectors, to evaluate the Trust’s grantmaking since its inception in 1993. This evaluation was initiated to better understand the legacy of the Cultural Trust’s first 28 years, including the impact of its grants on the career trajectories of supported artists, and inform the nature and scope of the Trust’s future philanthropic support. Those consulted as part of the evaluation included unsuccessful grant applicants, current and past grantees, commission partner organisations, and industry advisors. Consultation was carried out via one-on-one interviews, focus groups and online surveys.
Emerging Artist Grants Program
5,047 APPROVED GRANTS
1,740 VALUE OF GRANTS $8.75 M
APPLICATION APPROVAL RATE
APPLICATIONS
34%
RATE
Success
* Percentage of applications from the Northern Territory has been rounded down to zero; in total there were five applications (less than 0.5%), all were successful.
Note: The location of 1,030 applications (20%) cannot be identified. The success rate of these applications is 29%.
Music and performing arts were the original categories for applications and remain the two art forms that attract the largest number of applications and grant recipients. There has, however, been steady diversification, with 11 art forms represented in 2019.
* From 1993 to 2014, all music applicants applied under the category “Music”. “Music Classical” was introduced in 2015 and “Music Contemporary” was introduced in 2017. From 2018, the “Music” category ceased to be used, with applications classified under the two newer categories.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Working professionally in the arts
Grantees emphasised that support from the Cultural Trust catalysed their professional development. International travel remains highly valued by emerging artist and commission grantee interviewees; for learning, building lasting networks, and boosting confidence.
Importance of grant experience to subsequent artistic practice
Identify international travel and networking as playing an important role in their continued career development
Of respondents who identified their current focus as independent creative practice
Derive more than 50% of their income from creative practice
VERY IMPORTANT QUITE IMPORTANT OF MODEST IMPORTANCE
Grantees likelihood to proceed with development initiative without Cultural Trust funding
NOT HAVE PROCEEDED
PROBABLY HAVE PROCEEDED DEFINITELY PROCEED
Derive more than 75% of their income from creative practice
Commission Grant Program
MUSIC COMMISSION PROGRAM
1999–2009
Offered $20,000 to an emerging composer, and $80,000 to an established composer.
Applications
IAN POTTER MOVING IMAGE COMMISSION (IPMIC) 2011–2021
Offered five commissions of $100,000 to mid-career moving image artists.
Applicants funded to further develop proposals
Approved grants
Total value of grants
158 18 23 $500,000
Applications
Applicants funded to further develop proposals
Approved grants
Total value of grants
266 16 8* $560,000
* In 2021 three IPMIC finalists were awarded grants of $20,000 to support the development of their proposed work.
The Ian Potter Cultural Trust is committed to supporting individual artists who are a vital component of ensuring Australia maintains vibrant arts and cultural sectors.
The important role these sectors play in our society was emphasised throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists came to the fore, maintaining public morale by continuing to offer performances and access to visual arts during testing times. As a group, artists demonstrated their capacity for resilience, innovation and – despite lockdowns and social distancing – collaboration and connection.
As Australia returns to normal, we look forward to supporting many more emerging artists to undertake invaluable professional development experiences to sustain their central role in the Australian arts and cultural landscape.
The arts sector faces a long road to recovery. Building the skills and experience of the next generation of artists will serve the sector well as it rebuilds and becomes stronger than ever.
This year we caught up with several past Cultural Trust grantees, asking them to reflect on how the professional development experience gained through their grant has led to increasing knowledge, developing access and opportunities, and improving the workplace culture of their fellow artists thereby further enriching the Australian arts ecosystem.
