Research reveals direct funding for individual artists has fallen by a third since the mid 1990s and alternative funding models are needed to support artists and nurture creative work, which is an increasingly important part of the economy and national life.

In a discussion paper released in June 2010, Arts Queensland and the Centre for Social Impact propose the establishment of a Foundation for the Artist – the first of its kind in Australia - to bring together public, private and corporate funding for artists and the creation of new work. The Foundation will complement existing funding sources, and offer new forms of support for creative practice and innovation.

Positive Solutions' Director Cathy Hunt was a member of the steering committee that oversaw the research and a team from Positive Solutions produced the international research component for the project. Click on the link below for further information and to read Positive Solutions International Research paper or the full discussion paper.

Clayton Utz : LAUNCH Art Award is an annual art award open to emerging artists with a close connection to Queensland. Clayton Utz is dedicated to supporting visual artists in Queensland through this award by providing emerging artists with financial support, offering a $10,000 non-acquisitive cash prize for the major winner, to build a career in the visual arts in the areas of painting, photography, drawing, new media, installation or wall based practice.

Visual artists are invited to submit artworks to the Clayton Utz: LAUNCH Art Award by COB May 17 2010. Thirty finalists will be shortlisted during June and their work displayed at Clayton Utz’ head office at Riparian Plaza, Brisbane until July 2011. Award recipients will be announced on July 15 2010.

This project began in 2008 as an initiative of Positive Solutions and is now managed by  Creative Sight.

BoardConnect has embarked upon an in-depth development program with two arts organisations in Queensland.  Organisations were offered the opportunity to engage in a long-term process with the aim of enhancing the quality, effectiveness, enjoyment and satisfaction of board membership and in turn, the quality of the board’s contribution to the organisation.

Following an application and assessment process, two organisations have been selected to work closely over 12-18 months with BoardConnect -- Brisbane Writers Festival and Queensland Poetry Festival.

In addition, a key objective for BoardConnect is to identify the elements of the program which prove most useful and practical in strengthening the governance of arts organisations.  This will be invaluable in BoardConnect’s ongoing support for non-profit boards.