Copyright Agency Partnerships (CAP) is an annual series that supports major commissions for mid-career and established visual artists in partnership with leading cultural organisations around Australia. 

In 2024, the Copyright Agency will partner with the Perth Institute for Contemporary Arts (PICA) to create and present a significant opportunity for visual artists. Previous CAP partners are 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Australian Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and the Institute of Modern Art. 

About the Grant

One visual artist or collective will be selected from a competitive application process to develop and present a major new commission in PICA’s Central Galleries on the ground floor of the building or in the West End Gallery on the first floor. 

Mid-career and established visual artists working in all mediums are eligible to apply. 

The total value of this grant is $80,000, inclusive of a $40,000 artist fee and $40,000 project funds towards the development and presentation of a new commission.  

Individual visual artists will apply directly to the Copyright Agency via the online platform SmartyGrants. If your application is successful, PICA will manage the grant and project budget, alongside the curatorial development and presentation of the commission. 

Who Can Apply

• Mid-career and established contemporary artists are eligible to apply for this grant
• If applying as a group, all artists must identify as mid-career or established artists 
• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents 
• Applicants must have acquitted any overdue Copyright Agency Cultural Fund grants 

How to Apply

• Applications will be submitted to the Copyright Agency via SmartyGrants online system by the closing date of Tuesday 11 June 2024, 1pm (AEST)  
• Applicants may submit only one application per round 
• Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered 

Your CAP/PICA Application

Applicants must provide a clear outline of their intended project.  

Please ensure you read PICA’s Information Pack and Frequently Asked Questions before filling in your application.

Your application will be assessed for its artistic merit, which includes: 

• a detailed project description 
• an indicative budget 
• support material (see requirements below) 

Support Material

Along with your application, you must submit the following support material as a single PDF via the online SmartyGrants system: 

• Draft schedule for completion of the new commission work within a ten-month timeframe (July 2024-April 2025) 
• One-page indicative budget outlining the estimated expenses for realising this new commission 
• One-page professional curriculum vitae outlining your exhibition history and significant achievements 
• Examples and links to your previous work (maximum of 10 images/links) 

Assessment

Applications will be assessed by a panel comprised of representatives of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts; Institute of Modern Art; Australian Centre for Contemporary Art; 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art; and the Copyright Agency. 

Online Information Session

To find out more about the commission please register for our Zoom information session
Wednesday 24 April, 2pm (AWST) 

Questions and Queries

For further enquiries please contact PICA at communications@pica.org.au with the subject line ‘Copyright Agency Partnership enquiry’ or call (08) 9228 6300. PICA will seek to address all enquiries in a timely manner. 

Please email the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund if you have any questions about the application form, closing dates, or general enquiries about your eligibility via culturalfund@copyright.com.au