Arts editor HELEN MUSA looks at the return of a controversial recovery funding scheme for the arts.

ONE of the ACT government’s more controversial 2020 arts recovery initiatives is back with the return of “Homefront,” it has been announced by ACT Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne.

The aim is to support Canberra artists affected by COVID-19 and last year 370 local artists representing a variety of art forms were supported with grants of up to $10,000 distributed across two rounds.

But rather than creating harmony within the arts community, the grants in 2020, delivered by bureaucrats on a fast turnaround basis, were criticised for partiality and lack of balance, sowing rampant division in the arts community between the had and the had-nots.

This time round, Minister Cheyne said, a total of $350,000 would be made available, with funding of up to $10,000 granted to successful applications that would increase accessibility to the arts, enhance an applicant’s capability or capacity or artistic skills development and/or promote or market an artistic practice or creation, or promotion and marketing skills development. The funding would be made available as soon as possible subject to a streamlined assessment process.

In making the announcement, the minister’s office drew attention to the benefits enjoyed in 2020 by Canberra busker Genie Roberts, who received a grant to write and record her EP “Lifeless Things” and to contemporary jewellery artist Kristina Neumann, who used her funding to develop an online gallery and marketplace.

Funding can be used to support artists fees, associated living expenses and other costs to enable applicants to undertake research, professional development, skill sharing, or collaborative activities which may include the creation or development of new work.

The purchase of equipment, tools or materials may also be considered where there is ongoing longer-term benefits.

Applicants will need to provide, a statement responding to the Homefront 3 Guidelines, a brief bio and a current CV.

Applications will open here on Thursday, September 2, and will close on September 23.

News all day, every day at CityNews.com.au.