Chief Minister and Minister for Arts Jon Stanhope today encouraged the ACT arts community to apply for a share of the 2011 ACT Arts Fund.

Applications are invited for one-off project funding, program funding for not-for-profit organisations, funding for Key Arts Organisations and two Creative Arts Fellowships valued at $45,000, for artists that have achieved excellence.

This year a new category, Communities Working with Artists Funding, will support one-off projects initiated by community groups that engage the help of professional artists.

Mr Stanhope said the ACT Arts Fund was one of the main ways the Government supported the arts.

"The ACT Arts Fund supports the full spectrum of the arts, from community groups and arts organisations, through to individual artists," Mr Stanhope said.

"Artists, groups and organisations practising any art form are invited to apply for funding to support their projects and programs of activity in 2011."

The ACT Government, through artsACT, is offering people the opportunity to attend one of two information sessions to learn more about the 2011 ACT Arts Fund and how to apply, prior to lodging an application.

Information sessions will be held at the "QL2 Centre for Youth Dance" in the A Block of the Gorman House Arts Centre on Ainslie Avenue on Tuesday 20 April 2010 at 12.30pm and on Wednesday 21 April 2010 at 6pm.

Further assistance with the application process is also available by contacting the ACT Community Arts Office on 02 6247 1882.

Applications for Program Funding, Project Funding, Communities Working With Artists Funding and the ACT Creative Arts Fellowships close on Monday 31 May 2010 and applications for Key Arts Organisation Funding close on Friday 18 June 2010.

Forms and further information are available on the ArtsACT website or by phoning artsACT on 02 6207 2384.