MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: CAL

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) has announced that Australian creators have until 5.00 pm Sunday, 31 January 2010 to apply for grants from the next round of the Cultural Fund, which has allocated $1.2 million to assist local creative industries over the 2009-10 financial year.

This contribution will bring the total amount allocated by the fund to Australian creators to more than $6.5 million.

CAL’s Cultural Fund Manager, Zoë Rodriguez, says: ‘CAL’s Cultural Fund is fast becoming a beacon in the arts funding landscape through its ability to attract and support a wide range of projects from individuals and organisations. It is inspiring to see what even small amounts of funding can do to generate vitality in the cultural sector.’

Zoë says that as the number of applications increase as each round of funding is announced, so too does the calibre of applicants and projects that the fund attracts.

‘These projects all contribute to ensuring that Australia’s creative industries remain dynamic and relevant. Applications already being discussed with members of Australia’s creative community assure me that 2010 and beyond will see CAL’s Cultural Fund reaching an even broader range of projects.’

In addition to its Cultural Fund grants, CAL’s Creative Industries’ Career Fund is a separate pool of funding designed for individual creators and others working in the creative industries seeking to take their skills or careers to the next level. CAL will allocate a total of $100,000 in grants to individuals from this particular fund this financial year, which is attracting interest from the visual arts sector.

Naomi Cass, director of the Centre for Contemporary Photography in Melbourne, feels that receiving Cultural Fund support is particularly rewarding, considering that CAL represents content providers. ‘This feels like a meaningful and serious partnership between two organisations focused on supporting artists, making opportunities for them to reach new audiences, to establish and maintain viable careers,’ she says.

Zoë adds: ‘Both CAL’s Cultural Fund and the Creative Industries’ Career Fund ensure CAL remains an integral part of the very communities that we represent. It’s CAL’s way of supporting the authors, artists and other creators that are helping to sustain Australian literature and art at world class levels.’

Applicants wishing to find out more are encouraged to visit CAL’s website or contact CAL’s Cultural Fund Manager Zoë Rodriguez directly on +612 9394 7600 or email zrodriguez@copyright.com.au.