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Due to Eagle Foundry owners, John and Chris Spencer, being on holiday this month's meeting was moved to the
newly titled Gawler Sport and Community Centre. We made use of meeting room two which proved to be an ideal setting.
Before getting down to general business the meeting began with guest speaker Gerlinda Trappe who gave an
interesting insight into her role in several local arts organisations and in particular her experience and approaches to gaining funding for arts related projects.
Gerlinda is a 35 year member of the Barossa Art Council and has also been a member of the board for Country
Arts SA. Her experience includes gaining funding for an international, 10 year, touring exhibition of stone sculptures and other works created by herself and her husband. As
well she has been involved in many local community arts projects including establishing galleries at Nuriootpa and Tanunda.
"Funding means to get creative." Gerlinda quipped. Her advice for successful applications for grants funding
included:
- Looking beyond Arts Funding bodies to other sources who also provide funding e.g. Grants for small
business enterprises
- Be aware that most grants require you to raise part of the funds you are seeking.
- Understand that most grants are for specific projects not related to capital or assets (such as
establishing or purchasing a venue).
- Be determined with clear goals when asking for funding - show that you've put your heart into a grant
application.
- Request as much information on the grant you wish to apply for. Familiarise yourself with the grant's
guidelines and ask as many questions as you need before starting to work on your grant application.
- Networking is important. Get yourself on any mailing list that provides free information (such as
newsletters, magazines) about your industry. e.g. The state government has a free magazine for arts which you can subscribe to.
Try to attend any meetings or
functions relating to your industry or grant application as you may find possible leads or alternative avenues and/or approaches.
- Sponsorships from local business can be arranged over several years as part of their annual budget. When
approaching sponsors be sure to highlight what you intend to offer them first in return for sponsorship before mentioning the amount of funds you are trying to raise.
- When funding a community project look for support from local parliamentary figures. Use your own groups
membership to lobby their support. As well look for associated local, state and federal government departments and other organisations who may have an interest in your
projects success and lobby for their support.
ArtsAction gratefully thanks Gerlinda for speaking at our meeting. Her talk inspired several new approaches for
our group in its quest to obtain the Gawler Courthouse as a gallery venue.
Back to business...issues discussed during the remainder of the meeting included:
- It was decided that we should invite our local member, Malcolm Buckbey to either our August or September
meeting to further lobby his support in obtaining the Gawler Courthouse.
Although Malcolm has already offered his support in the past it was felt that it may be
beneficial to reinforce the issue in his mind and to hopefully encourage him to give it a higher priority and urgency.
It was suggested, if possible, that which
ever meeting Malcolm attended, the meeting its self should be held at the courthouse to demonstrate the ideal nature of the venue as a gallery space.
- As the courthouse is State Heritage listed it was suggested that we should approach State Heritage to
lobby their support for the courthouse to be used as a gallery. Presently the gallery is empty and deteriorating slowly.
- Our Midwinter Exhibition at Bethany is going well with five artists selling works so far. This Exhibition
ends on Sunday July 29. All contributing artists must arrange to pick their work up from the gallery on Sunday, July 29 after 3:30pm.
- Treasurer, Julie Pastok, reported that our grant application for funding our Centenary of Federation
Exhibition had been accepted.
Julie also reported that our Financial Report for the Auditor had been submitted. By completing some of the report herself she saved
the group $65.00.
- It was decided that although the Eagle Foundry has been a much appreciated and excellent venue for our
monthly meeting it was time to move on and relocate.
As meeting room 2 of the Gawler Sport and Community Centre proved ideal it was decided future meetings would be
held there. Unfortunately this does come with a cost of $20.00 per booking. It was decided that we should look into a permanent booking for the last Thursday of every
month up until Christmas so that we could negotiate a possible reduction in the booking fee.
To cover the cost of the meeting rooms booking fee it was decided that
members contribute $2.00 each when attending meetings. This was agreed as acceptable especially when you consider that free tea, coffee, milo and nibblies are always
available at every ArtsAction meeting.
Judy will arrange a Thank you Gift for John and Chris Spencer in recognition of their continued support of ArtsAction by
providing the Eagle Foundry free of charge and also providing free food and drinks at every meeting.
- Next month's meeting is our Annual General Meeting in which all our committee members positions will
become open for re election.
Our secretary, Marjorie Macrae, will not be nominating herself for re election. Committee member and ArtsAction Web Master, David
Arandle, has agreed to nominate for the position however anyone else who may have an interest in being the secretary is also encouraged to nominate.
An
advertisement will be placed in the Public Notices section of the Bunyip Newspaper and we will be releasing a newsletter to all members encouraging their attendance at our
AGM.
Members are also reminded that their Annual membership fees will become due at the August Meeting - so bring along your membership money!
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