Making Space Infrastructure Funding

To apply you must:

• Be a creative organisation or collective that is legally constituted or auspiced
• Be based in Victoria
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or be auspiced
• Be Deaf and /or Disability-led or show strong and ongoing commitment to disability leadership *

* This could include significant representation on your staff, board, subcommittees or advisory groups.

We will only accept one application per applicant (including as part of a collective).

Definitions

Collective: Groups of individuals who join together.

Deaf and/or Disability-led: In an organisational context, this means the organisation is run by a majority of Deaf and Disabled people.

Disability: includes, but is not limited to; visible, invisible, sensory, physical, neurodiverse, cognitive, intellectual, developmental or mental health illness/ injury.

Priority Applications

We will prioritise applications that:

• Are Deaf and Disabled led
• Are scoped and costed
• Increase benefits and engagement for Deaf and Disabled creatives and audiences
• Are delivered by small to medium organisations or collectives

Auspicing

Making Space accepts auspiced applications. Any legally constituted body may act as an auspice. If successful, the auspice organisation will receive funds. The auspice organisation takes legal and financial responsibility for the grant. Projects can be auspiced by Arts Access Victoria (at no cost) or another suitable organisation. Grant assessors (apart from financial assessors) will not be aware of which organisation is auspicing your application. This is to avoid any perceived bias.

We will not accept applications from:

• State-owned cultural agencies and organisations (except if acting as an auspice body).
• State government departments and agencies.
• Applicants that have an overdue Creative Victoria (or former Arts Victoria) acquittal.
• Applicants who do not have a commitment to Deaf and/or Disabled leadership.

Applications open:  25 August 2023.

Applications close: 17 October 2023.

Notification: Approximately 6 weeks after the closing date.

Project can start after notification.

Project must end by 31 December 2024.

All projects must create or improve access.

We will fund projects that:

• Create new accessible creative spaces
• Refurbish or improve access to/in existing spaces
• Improve or create digital access

Costs can include but are not limited to:

• Fees for personnel (project manager, builders, architect, consultant, developers, designers, user testers)
• Building materials
• Fit-out costs such as equipment, fittings, furniture
• Access refurbishment costs
• Digital equipment, software and hardware
• Project administration costs
• Permits
• Access costs for personnel can be applied for separately

Access Costs

There is additional Access funding available to support the delivery of your project.

Access costs can include but are not limited to:

• communication access (e.g. Auslan interpretation, captioning)
• transport
• support worker (e.g. orientation support, note-taking)
• other access costs not covered by your organisation or collective

Below are some examples of projects we can fund. If you have a project that is not listed below it doesn’t mean it isn’t eligible. If you are unsure if your project is eligible, please contact us.

Physical access:

• Accessible parking spaces
• Accessible pathway to venue
• Door access – step free, door width, automatic doors or doors that are easy to open
• Height of counters or display cases at reception/ box office
• Accessible toilet
• Height of bathroom fixtures and fittings e.g., taps, basins, hand dryers, mirror
• Wheelchair spaces in theatre/auditorium
• Power, heating and light switch heights
• Lift access

Sensory access:

• Provision of Quiet Spaces
• Signage – e.g., tactile signs, easy to read
• Lighting – e.g., low vision accessible, dimmable
• Hearing augmentation systems

Digital access:

• Accessible website
• Equipment for livestreaming
• Internet infrastructure or portable internet
• Software (e.g., automated captioning software)
• Hardware
• Chat systems

Physical Infrastructure

All projects must follow relevant building guidelines and regulations.

Click here for Australian Government planning information

Click here for Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010

Click here for Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The current Australian Standards for access are:

• Design for access and mobility General requirements for access – New building work (AS 1428.1:2021)
• Design for access and mobility Communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired (AS 1428.5:2021)

Your building project manager should have access to these standards.

Digital Infrastructure

The WC3 sets global standards for all websites including access guidelines. These are called Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2 (WCAG) and are updated every 4 years.They have 3 levels of access Level A, Level AA and Level AAA. The Federal Government has The Digital Services Standards (DSS). These are the Australian guidelines for digital access which include the WCAG.

Click here for the WCAG 2

Click here for the DSS

We will not fund the following projects and expenses:

• Retrospective expenses (costs already incurred by a project)
• Spaces or projects primarily for non-creative uses
• Business as usual services, activities and operations (e.g., rent, utilities)
• Routine repairs and maintenance

Please note:

• You must not enter a contract or begin any proposed works before being notified of the outcome your application.
• Make sure to create a plan for funding your project if unsuccessful.

You can apply via our website or email.

The Application forms and support documents are above

We accept applications in a range of formats. You can submit a written, video, audio or Auslan application. You can also schedule a phone or video chat with AAV.

You can organise a phone or video chat with AAV to apply.

You must submit your completed application by 5pm, 17 October 2023 to grants@artsaccess.com.au.

You will receive an email receipt of the application. If you do not receive a receipt of your application 48 hours after applying, please contact us.

We encourage you to get in touch with us about your application before submitting it.

If you are unsuccessful, we can give you feedback.

To record your application via a Phone or Video Chat with AAV

In this chat, we will ask you the application questions, which we will record and give to the assessment panel. Access support workers to assist you are welcome. AAV can provide Auslan or other services for the application process too.

To book or request an application chat you can contact AAV Reception via email Or phone 03 9699 8299 (voice only), 0401 224 864 (text or voice).

Compulsory Support Material

• Budget (use our template or provide your own)
• Quotes for budget items over $10,000
• Deliverables and Milestones timeline (use our template or provide your own)
• Evidence of support or approval from Council, building owner, landowner if required
• Organisational or Collective biography/CV
• Biographies/CVs of key personnel or partners

Compulsory Financial Support Material

Incorporated organisations must also provide:

• A Profit and Loss statement for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023
• A balance sheet as of 30 June 2023

These can be management accounts (i.e., generated from your accounting software), and should be signed as correct by your treasurer or accountant.

Unincorporated groups should provide the financial reports listed above if possible. If not, please provide a statement detailing your group’s total revenue for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, and its net financial assets as of 30 June 2023. This statement must be signed as correct by your treasurer or accountant.

Optional Support Material

• Confirmation from project manager or partners
• Plans or Architect Drawings for physical infrastructure projects
• Risk register or risk management plan (a risk register template is inside support materials excel or supply your own). Please note you will have to provide one if your application is successful.
• Access Audit report
• Building Reports, Soil Hygiene assessment report or Asbestos assessment report if applicable
• Images – up to 10 images (jpg, tiff, png and pdf accepted). Size limit 10 mb per file.
• Evidence of consultation with community

Support material can be uploaded to our website or attached in an email.

If you are supplying your support material as URLS remember we can only accept URLs that are: From public websites or non-editable cloud storage (this means that they are unique links to the exact file). Please make sure you won’t need to enter personal identification or a password to gain access to support materials.

Please contact us if you need assistance to provide support material.

Once applications close, Arts Access Victoria will:

• check to confirm that applications meet the eligibility requirements (Who Can Apply?)
• ensure that all required documentation has been provided (application, budget, required support material)
• assess all eligible applications against the assessment criteria

Applications will be panel assessed. Panel members will represent a range of artform and infrastructure knowledge and include Deaf and/or Disabled people. The panel will include external Peer Assessors, Creative Victoria personnel and Arts Access Victoria staff.  Applications will also be assessed by an independent financial assessor.

Assessment Criteria

Impact and Benefit

Show how the proposed works increase access to and participation in creative spaces/ activity for Deaf and Disabled creatives and audiences.

Quality

• Projects show accessible design. They may be designed in consultation with the Deaf and Disabled community.
• The organisation or collective delivering the project demonstrates strong Deaf or Disabled leadership
• Projects meet the current Australian standards for access, or the Digital Services Standards.

Viability and Sustainability

• Project readiness and planning. This includes a realistic timeline that accounts for potential delays or contingency.
• The capacity and experience of the organisation/collective and partners to deliver the project
• Budget is viable and realistic. This includes contingency and appropriate costings (i.e., quotes for infrastructure components).
• Project and environmental sustainability are considered

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately 6 weeks after the deadline. We can provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

If you are successful, you will need to:

• Enter into a grant agreement with Arts Access Victoria
• Notify Arts Access Victoria of any proposed changes to your project
• Publicly acknowledge the support of Arts Access Victoria and the Victorian Government. We will supply specific logos and text.
• Report progress at negotiated intervals
• Acquit your grant by sending a written report on the outcomes of your project. This occurs within 30 days of project completion.

Funding

We will organise a payment schedule with you or your auspice body to release funding in line with your project’s milestones.

Please note: The grant agreement will detail the conditions of funding.

Our privacy policy is available on the AAV website.

This document is available in html (AAV Website) and word document format. Contact us for alternative formats.

Can I submit my application in other forms?

Yes. We accept applications in a range of formats. You can submit a written, video, audio or Auslan application. You can also schedule a phone or video chat with AAV.
How many applications can I submit?

We will only accept one application per applicant (including as part of a collective).

Can I get feedback on my application before I submit?

We can provide you with general advice on your project and assist you with access support. We cannot review your application and provide feedback.

What is the definition of small/medium organisation?

Organisations with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff and annual revenue under $3 million.

How do I find an accredited Access Consultant?

Check out Access ASN for a directory

How do I find approved builders for accessible infrastructure?

Master Builders Victoria may be a useful resource for finding expertise.

Click for Master Builders Victoria Website

Can I apply for funding for capital works that are partially completed to bring them up to code?

Yes.

How do I find someone who can deliver accessible digital infrastructure?

Website developers should be able to develop accessible websites, but there are many people out there who can help you, but if you don’t know where to start .

Check out the South Australia Online Accessibility Toolkit

They have a Build, Buy and Supply resource that can help you with the questions you can asked your website  developer

Contact Vision Australia for support There are any other organisations you can contact as well for accessible website support.

Check out the Federal Government Digital Transformation Agency

Make sure to check the guidelines for more information.

What should I consider when making an application for an accessible website?

• Ensure that your website/ your developer is addressing the accessible design criterion.
• Include enough time and budget for testing in your application
• Consider the scope of what a website is useful for (information, organisational visibility)
• Include information about how you will sustain the website. E.g. how will you manage and continue to pay for ongoing costs?

Can I use in-house expertise to deliver the project?

Yes, if you have the expertise and can meet the current Australian Standards for access, or the Digital Services Standards. Make sure you submit evidence you can meet the standards.