Creativity for Schools — Residency Program

Overview

The Creative Learning Program aims to increase access for students and teachers to engage in enriched learning through arts processes and experiences.

The Creativity for Schools Program offers funding to support projects and programs connecting Western Australian creatives with schools.

The Creativity for Schools – Residency Category supports activities using arts-based practice to engage students in their learning, beyond arts curriculum areas, with an artist in residence. Projects will support access, participation and overall engagement for students (K to 12) in transformative creative learning experiences and will develop educators in utilising creative pedagogy across curriculum areas and beyond.  The residency category centres around bringing artists and students together, thereby empowering students, fostering their creativity and positively impacting their overall learning experiences at school.

Objectives

The Creative Learning Program recognises that the following 5 program objectives are interdependent:

Primary objective

1. Enhance students’ and educators’ creative learning capabilities to increase engagement and support student success across Western Australian curriculum areas and beyond.

Supporting objectives

2. Build the pedagogical and partnership capacities of arts organisations, creative practitioners, education leaders and/or teachers.
3. Foster creativity in schools by increasing access to, and participation in, arts, cultural and/or creative activities.
4. Improve the engagement of disadvantaged students in schools, particularly in low-socioeconomic, for example low Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) schools and/or in regional areas.
5. Enhance the health and wellbeing (for example mental, social, and/or physical) of students.

Your application must align with the primary objective and, where relevant, the supporting objectives.

Key program priorities

To increase the competitiveness of your application, it is recommended that your residency demonstrates alignment with four (4) of the key program priorities.

• low socio-economic index and geographically disadvantaged schools
• programs exposing students to enriching arts experiences, instilling curiosity, creativity, imagination and empathy
• programs engaging with students and their educators in school years K to 12
• programs that demonstrate cross curriculum links beyond the arts
• programs that incorporate elements of co-design with schools, ensuring student and educator agency
• programs that incorporate creative learning capacity building for education leaders and/or teachers
• programs that provide a legacy for school communities. 
  

Who can apply?

Applications are open to:

• Western Australian Primary and Secondary Government and Non-Government Schools, including Catholic and Independent schools
• Western Australian-based* teaching artists and creative practitioners
• Western Australian-based* groups including unincorporated bodies, partnerships and individuals informally collaborating 
• Western Australian-based* arts and/or cultural organisations
• Local government authorities
  

*Must have a Western Australian office or be currently residing in Western Australia with a Western Australian address.

If you are considering submitting an administered or auspiced grant application, you must contact us before commencing your application.

When can I apply?

Creativity for Schools — Residencies has 4 funding rounds per year aligned to school terms. 

Applications to this funding category are assessed by an external peer assessment panel. See the key dates calendar for round opening and closing dates, as well as the prescribed project start and end date for each round.

Projects must be completed within 12 months.

All times are in AWST (for Perth, Western Australia).

You are encouraged to submit your application before your submission date to ensure you have plenty of time to allow for technical or eligibility resubmission issues.

Processing of grant payments to successful applicants will not start until after the grant contract is signed and returned. Depending on the activity start date, we cannot guarantee notification and/or availability of grant funds before the activity begins.

How much can I apply for?

Eligible applicants can apply for up to $20,000 in funding for projects working with a school for approximately 25 days of artist engagement, of which a minimum of 15 days must include direct engagement with students.

This program may fund up to 80% of your activity costs. You must demonstrate at least 20% income (either in-kind or cash), or your application will be ineligible.

What can I apply for?

Creativity for Schools — Residency grants support creative practitioners working in a residency context within schools across Western Australia for a duration of approximately 25 days (this can be spread over multiple terms) of which a minimum of 15 days must include direct engagement with students.

The project must be an artist in residence activity which allows an artist/s to carry out creative work at a school. The artist will work closely with the school community (students, teachers and leadership) to deliver a program that creatively and actively engages students in their learning.

Please note: activity applied for should demonstrate cross-curricular alignment beyond arts based learning areas (music, dance, drama, visual arts, media arts). For further information please refer to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority.

What can’t I apply for?

• more than two (2) Creativity for Schools applications in a 12-month period *(both residency and collaboration category)
• activity already funded through the Creative Learning Partnerships Program
• commercial workshops, excursions and/or incursions
• projects that are a continuation of an already existing work in progress
• school beautification projects** (including but not limited to; murals, mosaics and signage) without demonstrating each of the following;
  • embedded learning concepts
  • curriculum alignment beyond arts learning areas
  • professional development for teaching staff and/or leadership
• school events (including but not limited to; festivals, fetes and productions) without demonstrating each of the following;
  • embedded learning concepts
  • curriculum alignment beyond arts learning areas
  • professional development for teaching staff and/or leadership
• school activity clubs and/or extra - curricular (before or after school hours) activities. Including but not limited to; debate clubs, choir, orchestra, bands, drama, dance, chess, digital arts, cooking and after hours school care
• salaries and wages of those employed by the Department of Education, Catholic Education Western Australia and Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia including relief teaching
• projects or activities that do not involve or benefit Western Australian based practicing artists, creatives or arts and cultural workers
• purchase of capital equipment (including instruments, computers, tablets (iPads) and/or uniforms), including technical website development costs
• capital works such as construction, landscaping, modification or purchasing of studios, workspaces or gallery spaces
• activities relating to podcasts and audiobooks that do not involve creative arts practitioners or demonstrate embedded learning concepts
• purchase of WA curriculum materials such as textbooks
• activities already funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ culture and the arts grant programs
• activities relating to radio broadcasting
• fundraising, competitions, prizes and trophies
• the work of State or Federal government departments
• salaries and wages of those employed by the Department of Education, Catholic Education Western Australia and Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia including relief teaching
• sitting fees for committees
• ongoing organisational staffing and operational costs.

*To ensure a fair and equitable distribution of funds the Panel may prioritise new applicants and/or programs within a 12-month period.

** For these projects to be competitive, the beautification must be a secondary outcome; the primary focus of this program is to support projects engaging an artist to work with students and teachers to embed creativity and arts beyond arts learning areas. You are strongly encouraged to explore creative learning activities other than school beautification.

What will make my application ineligible?

You will make your application ineligible if you:

• do not adhere to support material limits and format requirements
• do not include mandatory support material 
• apply for a project that contains details listed in the What can't I apply for section
• do not complete components of the application 
• do not adhere to the listed budget requirements
• start the activity before the eligible start date
• your activity does not include approximately 25 days of artist engagement
• submit an application late
• exceed application limits
• have any key personnel with an overdue acquittal
• are a staff member of DLGSC (staff of portfolio organisations may apply subject to meeting the Code of Conduct and Secondary Employment Policy)
• request funding that exceeds the funding cap of the program
• are a portfolio organisation of DLGSC
• are not a Western Australian group or organisation with a WA based and listed office and permanent employees or Western Australian artist or creative practitioner currently residing in Western Australia.

How many times can I apply?

You may submit one (1) application for either Collaboration or Residency category per Creativity for Schools funding round. Please note you may only receive two (2) successful applications in a 12-month period.

To ensure a fair and equitable distribution of funds the Panel may prioritise new applicants and/or programs within a 12-month period.

Creative practitioners may only be the lead artist on 1 application per Creativity for Schools (Collaboration or Residency) funding round.

Your project must be completed within 12 months of receiving the funds.

How do I apply?

Please apply using the Online Grants web portal.

More information on how to apply can be found in the application manual.

We strongly suggest speaking to a Creative Learning Project Officer prior to commencing your application.

4 components of your application

There are 4 components of a grant application:

1. core application questions
2. project outputs
3. financial information
4. support material.

Each plays a significant and distinct role in creating a whole picture about your activity.

Core application questions

Your answers to the core application questions should give assessors a concise overview of your activity. Each question has a 1500-character limit. You can extract a copy of your draft application in Online Grants at any stage to share with others for their feedback.

Respond to the following questions with reference to the assessment criteria, program objectives and relevant key program priorities:

Q1. What is the residency project you are planning?

Outline what you plan to do and describe the artistic concept of the project. Include the year level/s and number of students you will be engaging with and how the creative ideas meet the needs and aspirations of the school. Describe the creative processes and how the residency engages the school community.

Q2. How will your activity enhance creativity, learning, health and wellbeing?

Describe how this residency engages students creatively in their learning, which curriculum areas the project aligns to and if/how this extends beyond the arts. How does the activity support critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability, ethical understanding and/or intercultural understanding?

Include a brief outline of what professional learning opportunities will be made available for teachers and/or school leadership, including any formal and/or informal learning.

Q3. How will you plan, manage and deliver the activity?

Provide a summary of the key milestones in your activity planning and delivery, the key stages of the activity and who will be responsible. Outline the number of creative sessions/workshops/activities that will take place. Note: your project should contain a minimum of 15 days of direct engagement with students. Please outline your plans for marketing and promotion of the activity.

Q4. Why does the school need to undertake this project?

Outline the benefits for the school (students, teachers, leadership, wider school community) participating in the residency. Why have the artist and school chosen to partner to deliver this activity? How did the artist and school connect on this project? Provide a brief outline of the artist’s practice including any relevant experience working with students and teachers.

Q5. How will you evaluate the activity?

Outline the methods, processes or tools you will use to measure and report your progress towards and/or achievement of the activity outcomes you outlined in Question 2. Consider how you will know whether you achieved your proposed outcomes. These may be tangible creative outcomes or processes. Outline how you intend to measure and/or document the activity. How will the students reflect on their involvement and learnings? What skills will the teachers have learnt from the resident creative? Outline how you will share the learnings with the wider education/creative learning community.

Please note: it is not a requirement of the program to have a creative outcome at the end of the residency.

Project outputs

You are required to provide relevant project outputs. An output is a specific measurable thing that is generated by your project. This information will be considered as part of your application and provide further clarity about your project for the assessor. The outputs also provide important data for DLGSC for research, analysis and advocacy purposes. 

You only need to provide outputs for the categories and items relevant to your project.  

If your application is successful, you will be required to report against your planned project outputs in your acquittal report. 

Please contact a Creative Learning Project Officer if you have any questions.

Financial information

The financial information in your budget helps to demonstrate that all elements of your activity have been considered, thoroughly researched and costed. A good budget also provides confidence for the department that your activity will be a sound investment for the State of Western Australia.

All amounts should be in Australian dollars.

Your funding request is the difference between your expenditure minus your income. To ensure this amount is calculated accurately, seek quotes for all expenditure items (whether or not you intend to include these as support material) and include all costs associated with the activity, even if they are supplied in-kind.

For each expenditure or income item you add to the budget, use the notes area alongside the item to explain how it relates to the delivery of your activity and how the cost was calculated. If relevant, include a breakdown or itemisation of costs.

Expenditure

Expenditure items can vary significantly from one activity to another. Any legitimate expense that is eligible can be included in the budget.

Do not duplicate costs in the budget form. For example, if you receive a quote for advertising which includes design, do not add an additional item for design. Simply use ‘advertising’ as the expenditure item and add a note explaining that the cost includes design.

This program may fund up to 80% of your activity costs. You must demonstrate at least 20% income (in-kind or cash) or your application will be ineligible.

Make sure you check the What can't I apply for list for ineligible items.

Eligible expenditure items

Administration

Expenses related to the management and administration of the activity, for example telephone/internet, insurance, postage and stationery.

Marketing, promotion and distribution

Costs associated with marketing including promotion, graphic design, photography, videography and production of marketing collateral.

Preparation, development, production and exhibition/presentation

Costs related to the remount, production and delivery of the activity or its deliverable. Eligible items may include materials, props, resources.

Salaries, fees and living allowances

Expenditure in this category should include salaries, fees and allowances for all key personnel, with separate components itemised in the budget notes. We support appropriate rates of pay for all people involved in your activity. Refer to the following websites for information on industry standard payment rates:

• National Association for the Visual Arts
• Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
• Australian Society of Authors
• Australian Writers' Guild
• Museums Australia.

If these standards do not apply to your activity, you must outline how reasonable rates have been calculated. For long-term activities, it may be appropriate to pay artists a rate based on a yearly salary for a similar kind of work. If this is the case, you need to clearly explain the rationale for the pay rate in your budget notes. 

All rates should be relative to level of experience.

Please note that organisations, such as the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, predominantly provide information on minimum base rates for employees engaged on a full-time, part-time or casual basis. Rates for artists and arts workers engaged as contractors will include a loading to cover the costs of being self-employed. Full-time, part-time and casual rates do not factor in these costs and should not be used when engaging contractors.

Travel and freight

Costs associated with transporting people, equipment or goods. Eligible items may include fares (bus etc.), tolls, land or air freight and vehicle hire.

Income

This program does not fund 100% of your activity costs. You must demonstrate at least 20% income (in-kind or cash) or your application will be deemed ineligible.  

Eligible income items

Earned income

May include ticket sales, product sales, performance fees. For performances, this amount should factor in the number of performances, average ticket price and projected venue capacity.

Corporate sponsorship

List any income received through sponsorship from corporate bodies or businesses. Income received through government funding should be included in the relevant government income category. 

Philanthropic donations

May include contributions from fundraising such as crowdfunding, donations and gifts. 

Australia Council, other Federal Government, other State Government, local government

All grants and funding being sought from Local, State and Federal government, the Australia Council and other government sources must be included, whether or not this support has been confirmed.

Other income

If you are making a cash contribution, or someone is providing cash to the activity, list this item as a ‘cash contribution’ or similar. Include any other income source that does not fit within any of the above categories and provide enough detail to identify the income source. 

In-kind expenditure and income

Some expenses may be offered to you for free or at a discount. This might be borrowed equipment, the use of a rehearsal space, donated or discounted goods or services, relief teachers, negotiated discounted fees and allowances. Anything given to your project at no expense to you is considered in-kind.

All in-kind expenditure must be included as a budget item under the in-kind expenditure category. The corresponding recognition of in-kind income is created automatically in your online application, and you do not need to enter any in-kind income budget items. The total in-kind expenditure must always equal the total in-kind income.

If, for example, you are hiring a venue, which would normally charge $2000, and you have successfully negotiated an $800 (40%) discount, you would include venue hire fee as a budget item under the Expenditure category of $1200 and $800 under the in-kind expenditure category

Support material

Support material is crucial to a successful application and is essential for assessors to fully gauge the value of your activity. It is highly recommended you pay close attention to the support material you choose and make sure it offers the best support for your application.

It should help demonstrate the 4 assessment criteria: quality, reach, good planning and financial responsibility as well as the objectives of the category you are applying to.

There are 3 mandatory units of support material for the Creativity for Schools — Residency Program. You must submit both units. Please note that mandatory support materials will not count towards your support material.

Mandatory units of support material

Declaration of support (mandatory)

Artist profile (mandatory)

This should be completed by the creative practitioner.

Activity timeline (mandatory)

Non-mandatory units of support material

Support material summary

• text — maximum 10 A4 pages
  
• images — maximum 10
• audio/video — maximum 12 minutes.

Please note:

• The support material formats and limits are requested to ensure equality between applications in competitive programs.
• If you exceed the support material limits, the assessor will only watch, listen or read up to the specified limit.
• Files and links in ineligible formats will be deactivated and not viewed by the assessor.
• Formats that will not be viewed include: .pages, .zip, .excel, MP3s (or similar) and .eml (however screenshots of emails converted to PDF are okay).
• Links to support material using file sharing services such as Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive will not be viewed.
• Weblinks to text and image information online will not be viewed.
• Where possible, please only upload one document or file per support material type.
• Items of support material cannot exceed 5 MB file size.
• As an Online Grants portal user, you must upload your support materials with your online application.

Types of accepted support material you may provide

Text

Maximum 10 A4 pages of text, in PDF or Word format. Preferably in one single document. (maximum file size 5 MB. All text must be legible at 100%). Note: weblinks are not accepted.

Examples of material:

• applicant CVs, biographies or profiles for key creative or artistic personnel
• participant confirmation*
• quotes for major expenditure items/confirmation of fees*
• letters of peer/industry support (external to your activity)
• reviews, media reports or articles on your previous work
• evidence of confirmed events, activities or appointments*
• confirmation of consultation and/or support from the target community/participants, such as Aboriginal communities or young people
• evidence of significant Aboriginal involvement, participation and decision making (where required)
• marketing, promotional or activity plan/s
• safety and contingency plan (for example COVID-19 contingency plan).

*Can include multiple screenshots of emails and quotes. We suggest taking a screenshot of the essential information and pasting up to 4 per A4 page so they are still legible when viewed at 100%.

Images

• maximum 10 images in one PDF or Word document or up to 10 image files (maximum file size 5 MB with one line of text caption permitted for each image)
  
• note: weblinks are not accepted.

Examples of material:

• Examples of previous work or activities. 

Audio and video

Maximum 4 links to audio and video content not exceeding 12 minutes combined listening or viewing time.

Audio and/or video files must be uploaded to file streaming sites like Vimeo, YouTube, Bandcamp or SoundCloud that do not require a log-in to access. Do not use Spotify.

You can find instructions on how to use these sites at the following links:;

• YouTube
• Vimeo 
• Soundcloud
• Bandcamp

Examples of material:

• examples of previous work or activities
• interviews, recordings, or presentations that support your activity
• a recorded explanation of your proposed project
• testimonials of support for the project.

Acquittal report

If you are successful, you will be required to fill in an acquittal report when your activity has finished. An acquittal report details your activity and how you spent the grant. The acquittal report will be available for you to access in Online Grants once a copy of your signed funding agreement has been received.

Your acquittal report must be submitted within 90 days of the activity completion date as specified in the funding agreement. 

You will need to attach relevant documents, images and videos that substantiate the delivery of the activity and that may demonstrate the impact and outcomes achieved.

The report will also include your activity budget and you will be required to enter all the actual figures against each budget item and add any additional items that were not in the original budget. Variations between budget and actual figures are acceptable, however you must provide an explanation for large variations in the notes for that item. As you enter actual figures, the activity profit/loss will be automatically updated and displayed at the top of the Financial Information page.

The funding acquittal report also includes the option to provide feedback to DLGSC to help us to continually review and improve the service we provide.

How to identify disadvantage

DLGSC takes into consideration various levels of disadvantage, including economic, social and/or geographic disadvantage.

Identifying economic and/or social disadvantage in line with the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) considers the measure known as the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). A school’s ICSEA indicates the average educational advantage of the school’s students and is calculated using information about a parent’s occupation and education, school geographical location and the proportion of Indigenous students.

In addition to social and economic disadvantage, areas of geographic disadvantage include:

• outer metropolitan Perth
• Peel
• Wheatbelt
• South West
• Great Southern
• Goldfields/Esperance
• Mid West
• Gascoyne
• Pilbara
• Kimberley.

Assistance for applicants

More information on how to apply can be found in the application manual.

Grants Officers are available via telephone and email to answer queries about applications and suitability of activities to specific programs.

If you need extra assistance due to disability, language barriers or any other factor that may disadvantage you in completing your application, please contact us.

The advice provided by Grants Officers does not guarantee the success of your application.

Due to the high number of applications received, each funding round is highly competitive.

All applications are considered on their own merits and against the assessment criteria and program objectives.