Gift Fund – Prospectus

Who are the “Friends”?

1. The” Friends” have their origins in that group of determined citizens who formed a pressure group in the late 60s to ensure that the Arts Centre was built. The result was the fine building which we all enjoy today. To ensure that the Centre was advertised and used to maximum extent the group decided to form the Friends of the Gold Coast Arts Centre (or the Community Arts Centre as it was called initially). That small group has now grown in number to around 2000 members. The Friends has the legal status of being a Company limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital. It is administered by a Board of Directors of ten, none of whom are paid or receive any remuneration.

2. Since their formation in 1986 the Friends have given a great deal of support to the Arts Centre in many different ways; encouragement prizes have been given for fine art exhibitions and performers, many musical instruments including a Steinway grand piano have been provided, a sculpture was commissioned for the Sculpture Walk and the other sculptures have been labelled, special equipment has been purchased for the Centre and the Art Gallery and, importantly, they have been a major sponsor of the annual Youth Summer School for young performing artists. The Friends have also supported several other organisations using the Centre.

Latest Initiative

3. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Centre in 2006 the Friends decided to take up the proposal of Jock McIlwain and enter a new area of support by introducing a Gift Fund. This fund was intended to support talented people on the Gold Coast who have been unable to reach their full potential through lack of funding. To do this the Friends had to amend their charter and apply to the Federal Government to be included on the list of approved Cultural Organisations which would allow them to seek tax deductible donations. Approval was received and the Gift Fund was launched formally on 18 December 2006. The launch was covered by TV and local newspapers and supported by the Mayor, Councillor Ron Clarke. To kick start the fund Beverly and Jock McIlwain made a very generous donation.

Management of the Gift Fund

4. Government regulation puts great emphasis on effective management of funds and the qualifications of administrators. The Board of Directors of the Friends appointed a Management Committee of Tony Wilkins, OBE,JP as Chairman, Ken Brown, accountant and Mark Niall, solicitor, all three satisfying the requirements of the legislation while also being Directors of the Friends. Subsequently Trevor Bell and Carol Little have been appointed to the Management Committee.They agreed that all donations would be invested initially and that grants would be made from the accrued interest. This would ensure a perpetual fund. With no paid staff and very few overheads nearly all the interest would be available for distribution. Applications would be invited and grants made as soon as sufficient interest had accrued. The maximum grant available initially will be up to $5000 but smaller grants may be offered until the Gift Fund is fully operational.

Who can apply for grants?

5. The Gift Fund is intended to assist talented artists who could benefit from additional training but are unable to afford the costs involved. The word “artist” covers all forms of visual and performing arts. Whilst there is no limitation on age or gender it is expected that most of the applicants will be young and close to embarking upon their chosen career or already established and wishing to advance their career. It is likely that there will be more applicants from the performing arts. Applicants must be residents of Gold Coast City.

Applying for grants

6. Notification for applications will be posted in the local press for time to time. Applicants will be expected to prove their level of attainment in the field of the arts in which they are seeking to excel. They will be required to give full details, including costs, of the course of study or tutelage they are seeking to attend. Application forms will need to be completed and lodged by advertised dates. The Management Committee will consider all applications and decide which applicants should present themselves for interview.

7. Every applicant will be told of the outcome of their application. If it is considered that no grant will be made the applicant will be told if a further application will be considered at a later date. The Management Committee will not enter into further correspondence concerning its decision.

Process of assessing grant applications and making grants

8. Where the Management Committee members lack sufficient technical knowledge to form an opinion they will refer the application to an expert individual or group for a recommendation. However, the final decision to make a grant will be made by the Management Committee.

9. Where there are a number of worthy applicants the Management Committee may offer a lower amount than that sought to enable the best number to be helped.

10. In general, grants will be paid directly to the establishment or individual providing the instruction or service sought by the candidate.

11. Successful applicants will be expected to report back to the Management Committee on completion of their course or study and make themselves available for publicity purposes.

Maintaining the Gift Fund

12. It is hoped that many citizens and organisations who support the Arts will consider making a tax deductible donation to the Gift Fund so that it can grow to help as many aspiring artists as possible. It is intended to keep a register of donors which can be published from time to time.

13. It is a Government requirement that all donations must be unconditional and that the Gift Fund be audited annually. Each donor will be provided with a copy of the audit statement and a report of the activity of the Management Committee. Also, a report will appear in the Friends Annual Directors’ Statement.

Making a donation

14. The Friends are sure that you share their enthusiasm for this project and would like to help make the Gift Fund a great success. Donations can be accepted at any time and can be regular or one off. Cheques, cash or credit card donations are all acceptable. Cheques should be made payable to “The Friends of the Gold Coast Arts Centre Gift Fund”. All donors will receive a tax deductible receipt.

To make a donation to the Gift Fund click here

Tony Wilkins - Chairman of the Management Committee - October 2011