Indigenous dancer Joshua Pether (WA) has been awarded an Australia Council ArtStart grant in the latest round of funding. Artstart grants are awarded to emerging artists from a range of artforms. “Funding can be used for services, resources, skills development and equipment to help establish an income-generating career in the artform they have studied,” says Australia Council Executive Director Grants Frank Panucci.
A dancer with a disability, Pether will use his grant to travel to the United Kingdom to work with dancers with disabilities and train with Candoco Dance Company, which integrates disabled and non-disabled dancers, says Pannucci. Pether will also participate in ImPulsTanz, an annual, international festival of contemporary dance held in Vienna. He will also conduct research into people’s ideas of dance perfection and perceptions of the disabled dancing body.
Just over 1000 Artstart grants have been awarded to emerging artists since 2009. Applications are now open for the next ArtStart round, which closes on 3 March. To be eligible, applicants must be a recent creative arts graduate and present a viable plan outlining proposed ArtStart activities, demonstrate artistic potential and display a commitment to their chosen field.
For more information, go to: www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/new-grants-model/artstart/