Information for applicants
Who can apply?
The Fellowship is open to established and emerging performers across music, dance and spoken word who can demonstrate:
- a standard of artistry required for a featured performance at the National Folk Festival
- a project vision that highlights the value of original source materials
- the ability to undertake collections-based research
Recipients may wish to develop their work in a variety of ways such as:
- accurately recreating Australian traditions or styles
- reinventing or arranging original sources
- using original sources as an inspiration to create new works
- developing innovative artistic practice that demonstrates an understanding of the value of archival sources
The proposed project should clearly show how recipients will research and use the National Library's archival collections to create their artistic endeavours. The proposal must be achievable within the timeframe of the residency. To find out more about the collections consult the Library's website at www.nla.gov.au or contact relevant staff at the National Library.
What are the benefits of the National Folk Fellowship?
The principal benefit of the Fellowship is to offer folk practitioners the opportunity to further their professional development by working with the Library's extensive folklore collections.
Fellows are provided with:
- a stipend of $8 000 which is intended to cover return travel to Canberra for one person, living expenses and accommodation in Canberra for four weeks
- access to the National Library sound recording studios for up to 30 hours over the residency which may include studio access to recordings which require preservation and for the recording and mixing of new performances
- a master tape of any recordings made during the residency which the Fellow may be used in future commercial publications or public performances
- full access to the resources of the Library
- provision of copies of source materials (within reasonable limits and in line with access conditions)
- computer workstation with internet access and listening facilities
- a guaranteed performance at the National Folk Festival in Canberra highlighting the outcomes of the Fellowship
What are the obligations of the National Folk Fellowship?
Fellows will have:
- full artistic freedom to explore any performance approach or methodology providing that the subsequent performance at the National Folk Festival highlight the use of the Library's folklore collections
- to make appropriate and ongoing acknowledgement of the use of National Library source materials in performances and publications
- first rights to use any recordings made in the course of the Fellowship for up to three years, after which these rights will revert to the National Library of Australia
- to deposit a copy of any recordings made in the course of the Fellowship in the Library's collection and provide open access for research use
How are Folk Fellows selected?
One fellowship is awarded annually by a committee, chaired by a member of the National Library's Fellowships Advisory Committee and including representatives of the National Folk Festival and National Library staff.
Closing date
Applications for the 2009-2010 Folk Fellowship open on 1 April 2009 and close on 30 June 2009. Applicants will be advised of the outcome by mid-September 2009 and should plan to take up the residency at least 3 to 6 months before the 2010 National Folk Festival.
How to apply
Please download the National Folk Fellowship application form after the application opening date.
Applications must include:
- a performance portfolio
- a sound recording (or equivalent evidence) with content desciption
- two referee reports NB: These are the responsibility of the applicant and must be sent with the application
