Pei-Ju Lien, traditional Pipa player from Taiwan completed a successful residency in Freemantle with Asialink and the help of funds secured from the DCA, WA (Credit: Asialink)
Many artists would like to say that they don’t worry too much about the money, and believe in just being able to practice their art. However, financial support is crucial not only to the making of art, but also its absorption and the value it brings to our lives. And a lot of this is made possible by funders who are keen supporters of artistic endeavours and the cultural well-being of the community.
Asialink’s vast network of funders and partners ranges from state and national bodies, philanthropic organisations as well as several departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s bilateral foundations, councils and institutions such as the Australia-China Council, Australia-Indonesia Institute, Australia India Council, among many others.
Eliza Roberts, Arts Residencies Manager at Asialink, says, ‘Unlike what many would like to believe, we are not a funding organisation.
‘Every year we apply to organisations and institutions for grants, which then enables us to invite artists to apply for residencies and use this money towards their professional development.’
For 2015, a total of 13 funders offered funding to support the Arts Residencies.
Duncan Ord, Director General, Department of Culture and the Arts, Western Australia (DCA, WA), believes that Asialink offers opportunities for cultural exchange between Western Australia and Asia and provides professional development opportunities for artists working across various art forms.
‘Asialink profiles WA arts professionals on the international stage and provides exposure with world-class arts practitioners and arts organisations.
‘The personal and professional connections result in sustained relationships between the residents and the individuals and/or organisations ensuring ongoing cultural exchange between WA and Asia,’ he says.
But why is funding and support to the Arts necessary for funding bodies and governmental institutions?
‘The DCA’s support for investing in the arts is underpinned by the concept of public value. Public value in this instance refers to the social and economic benefits created by arts and culture for the WA community.
‘The community gains value through the unique and transforming qualities of culture and arts that stimulate engaged citizens with increased creativity, imagination, skills and knowledge.
‘The State gains value from culture and arts making Western Australia a better place to live, work and visit, and delivering economic and social outcomes that encourage and support growth,’ says Ord.
Ord believes that engagement in culture and the arts has the capacity to enrich and transform individuals, communities and environments.
‘It is through artists that we get a unique critique of society, its history and behaviours, which is a rich resource that we leave behind us in so many different forms and which becomes the heritage of the future.’
Applications for grants for the 2015 round of residencies have just opened. To apply or know more, click here.
