The ACT Government is bringing back HOMEFRONT to support Canberra artists to maintain and develop their arts practices during a challenging COVID-19 situation.
370 local artists representing a variety of artforms were supported with grants of up to $10,000 distributed across two rounds in 2020.
A total of $350,000 is available in this round, with funding of up to $10,000 granted to successful applications that 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.
Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne said that this new funding is being made available as soon as possible subject to a streamlined assessment process.
"Homefront was specifically designed to support artists in response to the devastating impacts of COVID-19. Once again, we have designed a scheme that responds to the current situation and will importantly support local artists with the maintenance and development of their practice."
Canberra busker Genie Roberts received Homefront funding in 2020.
"I was fortunate enough to receive a grant to write and record my EP 'Lifeless Things'. The grant was largely spent on recording and production equipment, as well as getting the tracks professionally mixed and mastered," said Genie.
"Before Homefront, releasing my first self-produced EP felt out of reach. The music that I wrote truly opened my eyes to what I am creatively capable of. It far exceeded my expectations of how my first EP would sound. Homefront allowed me to really explore myself as an artist and I think the end result reflects that."
Canberra-based contemporary jewellery artist Kristina Neumann was also a Homefront recipient in 2020.
"During the lockdown of 2020, I lost opportunities to exhibit my works locally and had to be proactive about finding new ways to engage with her community. Thanks to a Homefront grant, I developed an online gallery and marketplace. It allowed me to exhibit and trade in a digital marketplace, both in Canberra and abroad," Kristina said.
"The ACT Government Homefront grant was a life saver. It gave me the resources to pandemic-proof my practice and make a new space for people to appreciate my work and learn more about contemporary jewellery."
