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                    New Ideas Lab expressions of interest

                    A small child in a dark, ambient lit interior space with a neon lit archway.

                    Photo Credit: Wood Wide Web created by Barking Spider as part of New Ideas Lab

                    ArtPlay New Ideas Lab provides the opportunity for artists to propose new projects to undertake at ArtPlay as part of our ongoing creative program for children and families.
                    ​​​​​​Applications are now closed and will reopen in February 2025.

                    Participants receiv​e: 

                    • up to $20,000 artist fees (together with consumables materials and equipment) 
                    • venue/development space, marketing and some specialist staffing in-kind 
                    • dedicated time at ArtPlay to co-create work with children and families via the New Ideas Lab development model: Dream, Make, Show   
                    • marketing collateral including promotional images and video  ​
                    • a pitch session with industry.

                    Guidelines

                    The program

                    ArtPlay New Ideas Lab supports proposals of new work up to $20,000 (artists’ fee together with consumable materials and equipment) plus venue, marketing and some specialist staffing in-kind.  

                    We encourage new ideas from artists of all disciplines for creative projects where children and/or families will be the co-creators of work. A new idea means a brand new work (if you have already started to develop the work as part of another program it is not eligible). 

                    Artists do not necessarily need experience in working with children but a passion and enthusiasm for involving children in the creative process is essential.  ​

                    Four projects will be supported. For one of these, as part of an ArtPlay Family Services initiative, we would like to support a project that engages culturally and linguistically diverse families with children 1 to 5 years of age and we strongly encourage First Nations and PoC artists and producers to apply. ​

                    Accessibility

                    ​ArtPlay has an express commitment to the following artists: First Nations artists, PoC artists, d/Deaf, Disabled, and neurodiverse artists, LGBTQIA+ artists and artists from lower income backgrounds. We encourage applications from these communities. We acknowledge the online application process may be inaccessible for some artists. Please feel free to contact us​ and we are happy to discuss ways in which we can assist.​

                    The space

                    ​Your proposed development workshops and project outcome must take place at ArtPlay in either one or a combination of the ArtPlay spaces.  

                    Please specify where you imagine your project taking place in your application. ​


                    ​Space
                    ​Specs 
                    ​Description
                    ​Multi-purpose space on ground level
                    ​16,000 mm x 8500mm 
                    ​Ideal for interactive performances and workshops
                    ​Mezzanine
                    ​21,640 mm x 6420 mm 
                    ​Situated upstairs overlooking the multi-purpose space. 

                    Please note, lift access is available to this space. 
                    ​ArtPlay’s outdoor precinct
                    ​Please contact ArtPlay for more information.  
                    ​Gravel area directly in front of entrance; lawn to the east and lawn to the rear of venue; forested area to the rear. Additionally adjacent grassy hill and playground in negotiation with City of Melbourne Parks and Events. 


                    Virtual tour​ (this does not include the outdoor precinct). 

                    How to apply

                    ​Applications are submitted via SmartyGr​ants​.

                    The proposal

                    ​In the proposal tell us about your idea and complete a budget outlining fees, equipment and materials required. If you have limited to no experience in working with children and/or if you are an emerging artist you will need to budget for a mentor.   ​

                    Please note, while you may work towards expected outcomes, ArtPlay acknowledges and encourages that the creative process may lead you to an unexpected outcome.​

                    Selection criteria and process

                    ​Your proposal will be assessed on the following criteria: 

                    • a brand new work actively engaging children and/or families as co-creators  
                    • well-articulated concept (including envisaged outcomes) 
                    • a clear plan of how the project will move through the Dream, Make, Show development process  
                    • original and high quality with potential for future presentation 
                    • a feasible budget (please consider from the start if your work needs a mentor/producer/production manager, stage manager etc.)  
                    • allows time for planning, self-reflection and evaluation (ensure you are realistic with what you propose) ​
                    • features environmentally sustainable practices ​

                    If you are short-listed you will have the opportunity to 'pitch' the idea straight to a panel that includes children, artists and ArtPlay staff. The panel’s job is to assess the idea based on the criteria detailed above and, if you are successful, the ArtPlay team will partner with you to realise your project as a part of ArtPlay’s public program between September 2023 and June 2024. Being part of ArtPlay’s public program means you will be developing your project with ArtPlay audiences. ​

                    New Ideas Lab development model: Dream, Make, Show ​

                    ArtPlay’s New Ideas Lab program supports artists and children to work together to develop new arts experiences for children and families. To facilitate and focus on this, each project will go through three stages of development: Dream, Make, Show.  

                    An example of how you may work via this process:

                    • Dream
                      One week development at ArtPlay including two to three days of workshops co-creating with children. (Planning and development between dream and make stages.)  
                    • Make
                      One to two weeks of making/rehearsing/developing at ArtPlay including two to four days of workshops co-creating with children. (Planning and development between make and show stages.)  
                    • Show
                      Two weeks at ArtPlay including a showing of the project for two to five days to children and families (this could be a workshop series, an event, an interactive installation/exhibition or a performance etc). ​​

                    ​Please refer to past projects to see examples of the type of work ArtPlay has previously supported. 

                    Frequently asked questions

                    Expressions of interest submission

                    When and how do I submit a proposal?

                    Expression of interest will open on Monday 13 February 2023 at 9am AEDT and close on Monday 27 March at 5pm AEDT, using online platform SmartyGrants​

                    Information sessions

                    What happens at the information session?

                    The information sessions provide you with an opportunity to hear about the program and the EOI process, see the ArtPlay spaces and find out about the equipment and materials available at ArtPlay. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions regarding the EOI process.  

                    Staff present will include: 

                    • Steph Urruty, Creative Program Manager – Children, Families and Young People
                    • Tanya Dickson, Creative Producer – Children and Families, 
                    • Jeany Lee, Operations Coordinator – Children Family and Young People
                    • Eelin Cheah, Venue Manager and Production – Children, Families and Young People  

                     The information session will be held on Tuesday 28 February 1.30pm to 2.30pm as a hybrid session at ArtPlay and on Zoom. 

                    The information session will have an Auslan Interpreter.​

                    Do I need to book for the information session?

                    ​Yes. Please book online​ so we can prepare accordingly. 

                    General questions

                    Are there any reasons I might not be able to submit an Expression of Interest?

                    You cannot submit an ArtPlay EOI if you are a current City of Melbourne employee, contractor or volunteer.

                    Can I submit more than one ArtPlay New Ideas Lab Expression of Interest?

                    No.

                    Can I submit an Expression of Interest to ArtPlay, Signal and Arts House?

                    Yes as long as each EOI is for a different project. Please note different information sessions, criteria and closing dates.

                    Can I submit the same project for a City of Melbourne Arts Grant and for a City Of Melbourne EOI?

                    ​No.

                    Project idea

                    How formed does my project idea need to be?

                    Your proposal must be well articulated and include envisaged outcomes. Please outline what you plan to do, why you want to do it, and how you will engage children as co-creators across the dream, make and show stages. Please note, while you may work towards expected outcomes, ArtPlay acknowledges and encourages that the creative process may lead you to an unexpected outcome.  

                    Include details of the scope of the project such as how many participants, workshops, events etc. and the duration of each - in order to submit a feasible budget of artist fees, materials and equipment costs.  

                    You can include both development and planning time and some evaluation and reflection time for your project as part of your proposed budget. 

                    Please note that if you are successful, the scope/format and timing of your project may need to be flexible in order to fit into the ArtPlay program. ArtPlay will negotiate this with you if you are successful. 

                    Do I have to have a target participant group in mind?

                    Please consider which approximate age group from babies to 13 year olds would best suit your project. The exact age group will be negotiated with ArtPlay if you are successful. ​

                    Otherwise, you do not need to have a target participant group in mind. However, if this is part of your plan, please mention this in your proposal. Please articulate how you will work with ArtPlay to engage participants from these communities and how you will work in an accessible and culturally safe way.  ​

                    Do the artists named in my proposal need to be confirmed?

                    ​Yes.

                    Budget

                    Do I need to consider marketing or venue costs for my project?

                    No. ArtPlay will manage all the marketing and venue costs.

                    Please note successful New Idea’s Lab applicants will be required to attend a two-and-a-half-day induction from Monday 5 June to Wednesday 7 June. The induction will include a photo shoot resulting in promotional images for each project. Successful applicants will also receive a 60 second promotional video at the end of the project.  

                    What makes a strong budget?

                    A strong budget is a feasible and viable one that pays artists in line with their level of experience and level of contribution to the project. It includes all necessary creatives and crew to deliver to concept. E.g. Producer, Maker, Production Manager, Mentor, Stage Manager, Installer, Dramaturge, Specialist Technician.  

                    Your budget must cover: 

                    • artist / mentor /production crew fees 
                    • materials/ equipment costs ​
                    • two and half days of lead artist fees to cover attendance at ArtPlay induction and photoshoot on Monday 5, Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 June 

                    What do I need to include in my material/equipment budget?

                    Materials

                    ArtPlay provides a basic range of arts and craft making tools and materials (e.g. pencils, glue, scissors, paper, hot glue guns and rulers etc.) These do not need to be included in your budget. However, you do need to include specialist materials (e.g. specialised paper, paint, film equipment, clay or acro-mats).  

                    Equipment

                    Please check the ArtPlay equipment list to see what equipment and infrastructure ArtPlay can contribute. (If ArtPlay has equipment that you need for your project, please specify the item in the budget and indicate as an in kind/zero amount). Anything not on this list will need to be included in your equipment costs.  

                    Please note, if successful:

                    • ArtPlay may renegotiate your budget based on the project needs after initial discussions 

                    How should I calculate artist fees?

                    ArtPlay does not have standard artist rates for the ArtPlay New Ideas Lab.

                    Artists’ rates could be between $30 and $100 per hour depending on role, task and experience – ranging from emerging, mid-career to established artists. 

                    If you are working in blocks of time, we suggest you propose a weekly rate for your artists, for example $1,250 to $1,750 per week per artist. ​

                    Please note: your budget must include 13.5 per cent on-costs additional to all artist fees to cover superannuation and WorkCover. The budget form within the application will calculate this for you. You do not need to add this costing manually.  

                    For performing arts projects, you may use the Live Performance Award as a guide. For visual arts projects, the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) has its own guide to fees and wages.

                    Please note that you are not required to include an auspice fee in your budget.

                    Do I receive the box office for the project?

                    No, ArtPlay will retain box office takings.

                    Can I include travel, accommodation and living expenses in the budget?

                    ArtPlay welcomes local, regional, interstate and international artists. You may include your trave​l, accommodation and living expenses as part of your budget if you are not a local artist. ​

                    The Live Performance Award and NAVA also include rates for per diems and accommodation allowances.

                    Proposal process

                    What is the process?

                    ​You must submit your proposal online by 5pm Friday 28 March 2023 AEDT.

                    All proposals will be reviewed by ArtPlay staff and assessed against the criteria.  

                    Selection Criteria  

                    Your proposal will be assessed on the following criteria: 

                    • a brand new work actively engaging children and/or families as co-creators  
                    • well-articulated concept (including envisaged outcomes) 
                    • a clear plan of how the project will move through the dream, make, show development process  
                    • original and high quality with potential for future presentation 
                    • a feasible budget (please consider from the start if your work needs a mentor/producer/production manager, stage manager etc.)  
                    • allows time for planning, self-reflection and evaluation (ensure you are realistic with what you propose) 
                    • features environmentally sustainable practices 

                    What is the proposal timeline?

                    • ​Expressions of interest open: 13 February 2023, 9am AEDT 
                    • Information session: 28 February 2023, 2pm AEDT  
                    • ​Expressions of interest​ close: Monday 27 March 2023, 5pm AEDT 
                    • Notification of selected artists for pitch day: Early April  
                    • Notification of successful artists for New Ideas Lab program: Early May ​

                    Who makes up the pitch panel?

                    The panel will include ArtPlay staff, children, and artists with experience in working with children in the arts.

                    There will be approximately eight people on the panel including approximately four children aged 8 to 12 years.

                    Can I send a representative to do the pitch on my behalf?

                    You can have a representative if they are a member of your creative team.

                    If I am successful

                    When will I be paid?

                    As this is not a grant, you will not receive total payment for your project upfront.

                    If successful, a payment plan will be negotiated based on your project’s needs and implementation requirements.

                    This may include being paid in instalments (e.g. material costs before implementation and final artist fees after implementation).

                    Please note: if you are an organisation, you will be paid by the City of Melbourne which operates on a 30 day from date of invoice payment policy; and if you are an individual, you will be contracted and paid via Auspicious Arts (you are not required to include an auspice fee in your budget).

                    Do I need an ABN?

                    If you are successful and you are an Australian citizen, you will need an ABN.

                    If you are successful and you are an international applicant, you do not need an ABN. ArtPlay will discuss visa application process and payment methods with you.  ​

                    Do I need to be GST registered?

                    No, you do not need to be GST registered to apply.

                    Please refer to the Australian Taxation website regarding GST registration.

                    Do I need a Working With Children Check (WWCC)?

                    If you are invited to work with ArtPlay after the pitch session, all your team members will be required to hold a valid WWCC and provide a copy of their card to ArtPlay.​

                    Do I need my own public liability insurance and Workcover insurance?

                    If you are an organisation, you are required to hold public liability insurance of 20 million dollars. If you are an individual, your public liability insurance will be covered through Auspicious Arts. ​

                    ​​Contact us

                    If you have read our guidelines and frequently asked questions and/or attended the information session, but still have questions you can email or call ArtPlay.  

                    Email: artplay@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Phone: (03) 9658 7880 during business hours, Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEDT. ​​

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