Frequently Asked Questions

1. Applying for a Creative Exchange

  • How do I apply?

    Applications to Asialink’s Arts Exchange Program must be made online through SmartyGrants.
    Please remember to save your application regularly, as the system times out automatically after 30 minutes and any unsaved work will be lost.

  • Who do I contact if I am experiencing technical difficulties with the application process?

    Have you tried the SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants? If so and your question remains unanswered, please contact the SmartyGrants help desk during standard business hours:
    T: +61 3 93206888
    E: service@smartygrants.com.au

  • When is the 2019 application due?

    Due 31 October 2018

    States: NT, QLD, NSW, VIC, WA

    Due 31 October 2018

    National Writing - Emerging (Malcolm Robertson)

    Taipei Artist Village (DCAWA)

    Due 31 October 2018

  • Can I propose more than one exchange or collaborator?

    Applicants can only submit one application in any given round, and can select only one collaborator to apply to. It is important to have one global collaborator for sustained engagement with the organisation and local community. Within the application form there is a section to select a second preference global collaborator. Here you will be asked to provide a detailed explanation of how your proposal would work with the second preference in mind.

  • I am part of a collective. Can my collective apply and will we receive extra funding because there are more of us?

    Your collective may apply for a collaborative exchange however the grant amount will remain up to $12,000 for three months (total for all members of the collective to share), unless otherwise specified in the host profiles. Asialink suggests only submitting collaborative proposals if your practice is inextricably linked with the other members of the collective. The importance of the collaboration should be demonstrated and emphasised throughout the residency proposal. Some Asialink collaborators cannot support collaborative Exchanges. Please refer to the Asialink Global Collaborators section of Asialinkʼs website. Details on how to apply for a collaborative exchange are outlined in the Application Process guide on Asialinkʼs website.

  • Can I negotiate the time which I undertake my exchange?

    It is a requirement that Asialink 2019 GPS exchanges must finish by 31 December 2019. This is due to our contractual obligations with our funders.

    Some Asialink global collaborators have set times for the exchange period. This information can be found on the Asialink Global Collaborators section of our website. If no dates are provided in the profile of an Asialink global collaborators then the exchange timing needs to be negotiated if you are selected.

  • Do I have to submit a budget in the exchange application?

    No. The link grant should be seen as a contribution towards funding your exchange experience. It depends which country you are applying for and your spending habits, as to how far the money will stretch. Asialink encourages you to consider this before applying. If you are successful, you will need to include a brief financial acquittal as part of your exchange report on completion of your exchange.

2. Eligibility

  • Can I apply if I am a student?

    No. You cannot defer your studies and PhD candidates are ineligible to apply. You can only apply if the course you are undertaking will be complete at the time of your proposed exchange.

  • Do I have to be an Australian Citizen to be eligible to apply?

    Applicants must be Australian Citizens or have permanent residency status. If you are applying as a collective, all members of your collective must be Australian Citizens or have permanent residency status.

  • I have already done an Asialink residency. Can I apply again?

    Yes. Alumni can only re-apply 3 years following their previous residency.

  • I have applied for a grant for the same project to another funder. Is it a problem if I am successful in obtaining both grants?

    No. However, Asialink seeks information from our state/territory funding partners regarding any known reasons for not awarding the grants to the applicants (e.g. poor history of acquitting grants, incomplete projects, project already funded).

3. Assessment, Selection and Notification

  • What is the selection process and who assesses my application?

    Successful applicants will be contacted by Asialink Arts prior to 21 December 2018. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

    Please refer to Selection Process section on Asialinkʼs website.

  • Who is on the Asialink Arts Exchange Selection Panel?

    The Asialink Arts Selection Panel assesses across art form. The panel comprises experts in their fields ranging from authors, editors, performing artists, musicians and visual artists to curators, arts managers and academics.

  • Can I receive feedback from Asialink if my application is unsuccessful?

    Due to the volume of applications Asialink staff have limited capacity to offer feedback on applications. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

4. About

  • What is Asialink's Program?

    Since 1991 Asialink’s Arts Exchange Program has provided professional development opportunities for arts professionals working in and across art forms, in exchange for the sharing of skills, knowledge and networks with communities. Asialink Arts Exchanges are innovative, flexible and supportive, and are grounded in personal and enduring relationships. The program promotes sustained cross-cultural dialogue by facilitating reciprocal exchanges and new models of engagement.

    The aim of Asialink’s Arts Exchange Program is to create meaningful and enduring relationships between individuals and organisations in Australia and Asia. Asialink works in partnership with global collaborators in the region to realise this goal. Asialink Arts Exchanges are professional development opportunities, aimed at being mutually beneficial to both the global collaborator and participant. This two-way knowledge and skills transfer is emphasised by way of our Reciprocal Exchange program.

    Outcomes of the program occur immediately, and on an ongoing and long-term basis. Since 1991 Asialink’s Arts Exchange Program has created generations of ‘Asia-Capable’ arts professionals.

  • How does Asialink select Global Collaborators?

    Asialink Global Collaborators are arts organisations with which Asialink has an established partnership. Asialink is constantly researching new global collaborators within Asia and Australia, and our listed collaborators are updated on an annual basis.

  • How long is the exchange period and how much is the travel grant?

    The minimum and maximum residency periods are 6 weeks and 3 months respectively.

    A travel grant of $6,000 - $12,000 is provided for each creative exchange to assist with exchange-related expenses including airfares, accommodation, language lessons, living expenses, materials and production costs. The amount awarded is reflective of the exchange period.

    The grant amount may vary depending on resources provided by the global collaborator organisation. Please refer to the collaborator profiles on the Global Collaborators section of the website for more details.

    Once selected, it is the individual/group's responsibility to maintain their own budget and contribute funds if necessary. Asialink's grant can only be used for the individual/group's own expenses directly related to the exchange and not for expenditure incurred in the individual/group's absence - e.g. rent or mortgage payments, or to fund accompanying partners or families. The grant is not considered a salary or a fee.

    On completion of the exchange, the individual/group must provide a report in the requested format including a financial acquittal, and return any unspent funding.

  • What creative exchanges does Asialink support?

    In recognition that arts professionals are increasingly working across art form areas, we do not ask applicants to select an art form category. This means that if you are a curator and a visual artist, for example, you can propose an exchange utilising both these art form areas. Please note that some collaborators do not cater to all art forms, so please carefully read the profiles of Asialink’s Global Collaborators in the Asialink Global Collaborators section of our website.