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                    Signal Young Creatives Lab EOI

                    A crowd of people in the audience of a show
                    Signal Young Creatives Lab provides an opportunity for young artists and creative practitioners to propose new ideas for exploration and development at Signal.

                    ​​​​​​​​​Applications are now closed and will reopen in August 2024.

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                    ​The Young Creatives Lab supports funding from $5000 to $8000 per project. ​

                    Successful proposals will undertake a two-week creative development residency at Signal between February and May, and present a work in progress showing in August 2024. 

                    We’re looking for projects at any stage of development, led by creatives aged 18 to 25 years. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply, as well as inter-disciplinary creatives such as curators, producers, performers, designers, film-makers, gamers, composers, new media artists and writers.

                    Proposals may include: an exhibition, installation, performance, conversation series, development of a publication, new composition, a screen work, etc. Read about past Young Creatives Lab projects.

                    The Young Creatives Lab utilises the Signal studio, rehearsal space, computer lab, plaza, screens and soundwalk for project development. Please visit Signal Spaces for more information and to see facilities and equipment available.

                    Up to four creative projects will be supported. In this round, one place in the program is reserved for a young Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander creative. 

                    The expression of interest process asks you to describe your idea, outline your plan for creative development and work-in-progress showing at Signal, and complete a draft budget including project team fees, production costs, and materials required. 

                    Successful Young Creatives Lab projects have access to: 

                    • project funding between $5000 and $8000
                    • a two-week creative development residency at Signal
                    • technical equipment and production support
                    • one-on-one sessions with a dedicated mentor
                    • additional funding to assist with access requirements.

                    Assessment and criteria

                    A selection panel made up of industry peers and Signal creative staff will assess each project proposal.

                    Projects will be assessed and selected based on the following criteria:

                    • Innovation and point of difference
                    • Idea is clearly expressed and achievable 
                    • Impact of participation in the Young Creatives Lab on the applicant’s professional development 
                    • How the idea / proposal engages with the Signal venue and program

                    Important dates

                    ​Event
                    		 ​​Dat​e​​
                    ​Info ses​sion

                    ​Wednesday 16 August, 6pm at Signal and via Zoom.​

                    Download the presentation​:
                    Young Creatives Lab information session 2023​ (PDF 3.6 MB) 
                    Young Creatives Lab information session 2023 (DOCX 41 KB) 
                    ​EOI opens
                    		 ​Friday 4 August at 9am
                    ​EOI closes
                    		 ​Friday 1 September at 5pm
                    ​Successful/unsuccessful applicants notified
                    		 ​by Friday 13 October
                    ​Lab Induction at Signal
                    		 ​Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 November
                    ​Creative Development Residencies
                    (Tuesday to Friday)
                    		 ​6 to 16 February
                    5 to 15 March
                    16 to ​26 April
                    7 to 17 May
                    ​Work-in-​​​progress showings
                    		 ​20 to 31 August


                    Successful artists must be available to: 

                    • Attend the Lab Induction in November.
                    • Undertake their creative development during one of the periods outlined.
                    • Present a work-in-progress showing between 20 and 31 August.  

                    Contact us

                    If you have enquiries or need assistance with the application process including support with translation, please contact Signal:

                    Phone: 03 9658 7808
                    Email: signal@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    or via the National Relay Service.​

                    Frequently asked questions

                    Submission

                    When and how do I submit a proposal?

                    Applications are now closed and will reopen in August 2024.

                    Information session

                    What happens at the information session?

                    You will get to see the Signal spaces, hear about the program, and find out about the equipment and materials available at Signal. You can also ask questions about the EOI process. 

                    This session will be Auslan interpreted.

                    The information session will be held on Wednesday 16 August, 6pm at Signal and via Zoom.

                    Do I need to book for the information session?

                    Yes. Please b​ook​ so we can prepare accordingly. 

                    However, if you have not booked and decide to come on the day, you are welcome to attend.

                    General questions

                    Are there any reasons I might not be able to submit an expression of interest to the Young Creatives Lab?

                    You can't submit an EOI if you are: 

                    • a City of Melbourne employee or volunteer
                    • under 18 or over 25 years of age.

                    Proposals with a primary focus on fundraising or that form part of accredited study will not be funded. 

                    Can I submit more than one Young Creatives Lab expression of interest?

                    You can only submit one Young Creatives Lab expression of interest each year. However, you may apply in subsequent years.​

                    Can I submit an expression of interest to ArtPlay, Arts House and to the Young Creatives Lab?

                    Yes, but proposals must be for different projects or ideas.

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

                    No.

                    How many projects will be supported?

                    Four projects will be supported for development in 2023 – 2024. 

                    Project idea

                    ​How formed does my project idea need to be?

                    Your proposal must be well articulated and include what you expect the outcomes to be. Please outline what you plan to do, why you want to do it, and how you will use your creative development residency at Signal to explore your idea. 

                    While you may work towards expected outcomes, Signal acknowledges and encourages that the creative process may lead you to an unexpected outcome. 

                    Does the Young Creative Lab fund development and presentation?

                    ​The Young Creative Lab supports development only. It does not include presentation. ​

                    I have started working on my project, am I still eligible?

                    ​Yes. The Young Creatives Lab supports projects at all stages of development. You may have already done some initial research, writing, planning, or workshopping of your project. 

                    As long as the work has not been presented before and you clearly articulate how your project will benefit from further development through Signal, your proposal will be considered. ​

                    Do any additional artists mentioned in my proposal need to be confirmed?

                    Yes, however Signal understands that your creative team may change over time and as the project develops.  ​

                    ​Can I talk to a Signal representative about my idea?

                    You can contact Signal on 9658 7810 or signal@melbourne.vic.gov.au to talk about the application process but not about your idea.​

                    Budget

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

                    Signal 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.

                    You do need to list specialist materials or equipment (e.g. film equipment, specialised paper, clay, printing costs). 

                    Please check the Signal building and spaces information and equipment list to see what equipment and infrastructure Signal can contribute. If Signal has equipment that you need for your project, please specify the item in the budget and put the cost as 'in kind / zero amount'.

                    Please note, if successful, Signal may renegotiate your budget based on the project needs after initial discussions.

                    How should I calculate artist fees?

                    Signal does not have standard artist rates for the Young Creatives Lab.

                    Artists’ rates could be between $30 and $80 per hour depending on role, task and experience.

                    As you will be undertaking a two-week residency, we suggest you propose a weekly rate for your artists, for example $1000 to $1500 per week per artist.

                    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.

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

                    No. However, additional funding for access costs may include travel and accommodation for artists who need it, e.g., regional artists, disabled artists, etc. ​

                    Support material

                    What kind of support material do I need to submit?

                    Your support material should include examples of your own work. This could be proof of concept for your proposal and/or previous works using similar approaches. 

                    You may also include references or inspiration from other artists’ work with credit.

                    You may upload a support letter from a collaborator, teacher, or mentor that can speak about your creative process.  

                    How much support material can I submit?

                    You can upload up to three pieces of audio visual support material. The total length of all your audio visual support material added together shouldn’t be longer than about five minutes. Please upload and submit as a URL (web link).

                    You can put up to six images in one .doc or .pdf document, or a URL (web link). Please include descriptions.

                    Samples of writing should be no more than two pages, submitted as .doc or .pdf. 

                    If you submit longer examples, the assessment panel will only have time to review to short excerpts.  

                    If I am successful

                    Do I need to attend the Lab Induction in November?

                    Yes. Successful applicants must be available to attend the Lab Induction on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 November at Signal. Please include this when calculating your artist fee.  ​

                    Do I get to choose my own mentor?

                    ​Yes. You can suggest a mentor you would like to work with and Signal will approach them. If you’re not sure, we can also suggest potential mentors, based on your project and creative practice.    ​

                    When will I be paid?

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

                    If you’re successful, we’ll work out a payment plan with you based on your project’s needs. This may include being paid in instalments.

                    Do I need an ABN?

                    If you are successful and you are an Australian citizen, you will need an ABN. This is available from the​ Australian Tax Office.

                    Do I need to be registered for GST?

                    No, you do not need to be GST registered to apply. Please refer to the Australian Tax Office regarding GST registration.

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

                    You do not need a WWCC to submit an EOI. 

                    However, if your project is successful each member of your project team working onsite at Signal will need to have a valid WWCC and provide a copy of their card. It costs $128.20 to apply for a WWCC. Please consider this in your project budget.

                    Do I need my own public liability insurance?

                    If you are an individual, you will be contracted through Auspicious Arts and be covered by their public liability insurance.

                    If you are an organisation, you are required to have public liability insurance. Read more about our public liability insurance requirements​.
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