Grant Support / Auspicing
Auspicing is a beneficial arrangement for artists or groups who may not meet certain legal or financial criteria required by funding bodies. Here’s an overview of how auspicing works and how it can support your projects.
What Does 'Auspice' Mean?
To ‘auspice’ means to provide support, sponsorship, or guidance to an individual or group seeking funds to undertake a project. The individual or group needing support is known as the auspicee, while the organisation providing the support is called the auspicor. The auspicor is responsible for receiving the funds and managing legal and financial obligations on behalf of the auspicee.
In practice, your project would be carried out “under the auspices of” the auspicor. This means the organisation enters into agreements with the funding body, and you as the artist (the auspicee) deliver the creative work.
Why Do You Need an Auspicor?
You may need an auspicor for several reasons:
If you’re an unincorporated group or individual, many funding bodies prefer to grant funds to a legal entity like an incorporated organisation.
Some funding bodies will only provide grants to organisations with charity status, which an auspicing agreement allows you to access without needing to become incorporated yourself.
By entering an auspice agreement, you benefit from the auspicor’s legal and financial standing, while focusing on the creative aspects of your project.
How Auspicing Works
When using an auspice arrangement, the auspicor manages the grant funds and handles all administrative and financial tasks, such as:
Receiving the funding from grant bodies
Entering into agreements with funders
Providing project management assistance and ensuring proper financial records are maintained
The auspicor may charge a small fee for their services, but this arrangement helps ensure your project meets all grant requirements while you focus on the creative work.
Who Can Auspice Your Project?
Here are several organisations who provide in auspicing for artists and creatives:
Auspicious Arts
Specialises in providing financial and administrative support to independent artists. They handle project funds, ensure grant compliance, and manage financial records and project timelines.
Arts OutWest
Offers auspicing services for artists in regional NSW, supporting them with funding management and project oversight.
Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV)
MAV supports culturally diverse artists and provides financial and legal management services to help them access grants, ensuring compliance with funding body requirements.
The Blue Room Theatre (WA)
The Blue Room Theatre offers financial auspicing services for independent artists who acquire funding. They manage project administration, including financial advice, payroll, contracting, cash flow, and insurance like public liability and worker’s compensation.
Arts Access Victoria
Provides auspicing through their Creative Ventures Program, offering support for artists with disability to manage grant funds, projects, and administration, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
Specialises in supporting arts projects in Central Australia, offering auspicing services for grants, insurance, and financial management, allowing artists to focus on creative development.
Accessible Arts auspices grants for non-legal entities, ensuring projects align with their values, involve people with disabilities, and aim for systemic change.
When Should You Use an Auspice?
Auspicing is Especially Useful When:
You’re seeking funding as an unincorporated group or individual.
The grant requires a legal entity with charity status to be eligible.
You’re managing a one-off event like an exhibition, concert, or festival that doesn’t warrant incorporation.
You want to access the infrastructure, insurance, and resources of a larger organisation without taking on the financial and administrative burden.
Benefits of Auspicing
Quick Access to Grants / Allows you to quickly meet eligibility requirements without needing to incorporate or apply for tax concessions and charity endorsements.
Financial and Administrative Support / The auspices manages finances, project timelines, and grant compliance, helping you focus on delivering the project.
Credibility and Experience / Partnering with a reputable auspicor can increase your project’s credibility with funding bodies and demonstrate your ability to manage successful projects under professional guidance.
By working with an organisation like MAV, Auspicious Arts Projects, Arts Access, or Arts OutWest, you can simplify the grant process, receive administrative support, and focus on your creative goals without the pressure of managing the financial and legal aspects of your project.
