Sing it with me: "We love the grants you get from Y-PA, we love the grants you get from Y-PA". Okay, so it's not quite as catchy at the Village People's tune (maybe because I'm not dressed as a cowboy?), but the funding opportunities on offer from Young People and the Arts are far more useful (and substantially less tacky).

The Department of Culture and the Arts’ Young People and the Arts grants program supports artistic activity for, with and by young people aged 26 and under (excluding film, TV and radio).

Applications for funding are assessed by a panel of young artists and arts workers, with two project rounds per year.

The next DEADLINE is Friday, September 24 2010 for activity starting after January 1, 2011.

Are you 26 and under and want to explore new ideas, develop skills, work with a mentor, create new work or reinterpret someone else’s? Are you a community group or local council and want to work with a group of young people to explore new ideas or develop their skills? The Development category may be for you.

Interested in getting your work out there through marketing and export initiatives or showcasing your work at festivals, trade fairs, exhibitions and more? Check out the
Marketing & Distribution category.

Visual artist Joshua Fitzpatrick used his Young People and the Arts Development grant to fund the creation of a new collaborative piece exhibited as part of the Revelations exhibition at the Fremantle Arts Centre.

“DCA funding was instrumental in the realisation of an ambitious and large scale project. By subsidising the research and development costs, the funding allowed us to channel our energies into creative production and exploration.”
- Joshua Fitzpatrick

But wait - there's more! The DCA also have $15,000 on offer in their Young People and the Arts Fellowships. The Fellowships will give up to three young artists or arts workers, aged 26 years or under, the chance to undertake significant development opportunities for their practice.

Applications close on September 24, 2010, and successful applications will
demonstrate the outstanding potential of the applicant and the extent to which the
Fellowship will enhance or build upon the applicant’s practice or professional profile.

One of the 2009 Fellowship recipients, Shubhadra Young, travelled to Vienna to
undertake intensive operatic training with Maestro Agim Hushi, Head of Opera at the Vienna Konservatorium.

“Shubhadra has the voice of an angel and a musicality that makes any music special. Shubhadra is not only an asset for the Australian operatic culture but also for the world.” - Prof. Maestro Agim Hushi.

If you think this sounds like you, download the Arts Grants Handbook 2010 from
www.dca.wa.gov.au/funding and then contact a Young People and the Arts Project Officer on
(08) 9224 7310 (1800 199 090 Toll Free) or via email.