Opportunities
Backing our creativity Call for papers and presenters
The Australia Council for the Arts is now seeking innovative and creative presenters for Backing Our Creativity; Education and the arts - research, policy and practice a national education and the arts symposium to be held in Melbourne in September 2005. Email Gillian Gardiner, Education Adviser, Australia Council for the Arts
NAVA visual arts and craft artists' grants Closes 15 May
Assistance towards the costs of public presentation of visual arts, craft and design. Up to $500 for individual applicants and up to $1000 for a group. Download 
from NAVA website
Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship Closes 10 July
Applications from artists residing in New South Wales and working in any art form are now open for the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship. The scholarship is valued at $40,000 and is intended to enable an artist at the outset of their career to undertake further overseas studies for one to two years, either at a recognised art institution or though a study program with a senior artist. Email NSW Ministry of Arts for application forms
Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarships Closes 30 June
Applications are invited for the 2006 Anne & Gordon Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarships. The scholarships, administered by the University of South Australia, each provide for twelve months of overseas study, a tax-exempt stipend equivalent to US$30,000, return airfares and institutional fees for one academic year. Eligibility conditions apply. Visit the Samstag website for details
Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award Closes 1 July
Entries are invited for the 25th Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award. Email Gold Coast City Art Gallery for entry form or visit the Ceramic Art Award website
Textile 05 Closes 9 July
The Kaunas department of the Lithuanian Artists' Association invites participants for the 5th international Biennial of Textile Art, Textile 05 - Place Concept & Technology. Details and entry form are available from the Textile 05 website
Wood Sculpture Exhibition in Taiwan Call for entries
The Taiwanese Cultural Affairs Bureau is inviting wood carving artists in Australia and New Zealand to participate in an international wood sculpture exchange exhibition to be held in Taiwan at the Miaoli Wood Carving Museum in September 2005. Email Peter at 8° with name, contact details, resume of work, and clear photos and brief descriptions of work to be entered.
2005 Realise your Dream Award Closes 8 July
If you’re 18 – 26, ambitious and creative, here’s a great opportunity. British Council Australia has launched their 2005 Realise Your Dream Award, which will see six winners go to the UK on personally tailored professional development trips. Thanks to support from The Mordant Family, this year one of the Awards is specifically for visual artists. Visit the Realise Your Dream website
Memento Awards Closes 22 July
The award showcases fresh, contemporary, commercially viable craft, art and design that reflects the unique character and spirit of Australia. Entry forms available Memento Awards website
Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Closes 15 July
Australia’s most prestigious design award - The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award allows the successful designer to win financial assistance in the form of a $20,000 scholarship. The winner can choose how it is invested in their future. Visit the Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award website
The Ranamok Glass prize 2005 Closes 30 June
An annual $10,000 acquisitive award for glass artists who are resident in Australia and New Zealand. The 2005 Ranamok Glass Prize winner will be announced at Craft ACT. Entry forms available from the Ranamok website
2005 Raphael Prize Closes 6 October
SCC is accepting entries for the $5,000 Raphael Prize for excellence in contemporary craft. The prize-winning artist also receives an exhibition, catalogue and video profile. The 2005 show will feature works in found materials. Visit Society for Contemporary Craft website for details and entry form
Art on Paper Hazelhurst Art Award 2005 Closes 30 May
The Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre invites all artists to submit works on/or principally with paper for the 2005 Hazelhurst Award. The prize aims to promote excellence and innovation in the field of art on paper. The major prize is $12,000, with a people's choice award of $1,000. Email Hazelhurst Regional Gallery for entry details
Raw Space Residencies Queensland
Raw Space is offering 12 groups totally 48 artists' residencies in 2005-06. This is a group residency program where four artists can come together, share ideas and explore their practice. Each group will include one international and three Australian artists. Each artist is required to make at least one screen based moving image work during the residency. Artists do not need to be moving image artists to apply. Visit Raw Space Galleries website for application details
Firstdraft studio program Closes 25 May
Proposals are invited from emerging artists for round 5 of the Firstdraft Studio Program. The Studio Program facilitates the aesthetic and critical practice of emerging artists, and provides use of the studio at the Firstdraft Surry Hills premise for an 11 week period, an exhibition artist's fee and in-kind support and the opportunity and resources to present a related forum or artist's talk. Download application form Firstdraft Gallery
Artists Residency Program in Spain Closes 31 December
Karrvaz Foundation calls for applications for the Artist in Residence Grants Program, for visual artists and creative people, at Júcar Gorges Rural Institute of Art, a polyvalent Art Center and International Artist Residence in Alcalá del Júcar, Albacete, Spain. Residence duration runs from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the project, and the stay can be divided in several periods of time between 2005 and 2006. Visit the Polyvalent Centre for Art website
Craft Australia gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance it receives from the