Community Heritage Grants
2009
CHG funds a variety of community, Indigenous and multicultural
groups. In 2007 the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo received a
grant for a textiles conservation workshop. The museum is the
custodian of Sun Loong, the world's longest imperial (five-clawed)
dragon, which is paraded in the annual Bendigo Easter Festival.
Image reproduced with permission of the Golden Dragon Museum.

What are Community Heritage
Grants?
Aim to preserve & provide
access to heritage
collections of national
significance held by
community groups

Is your collection eligible?
• Owned by a not-for-profit
organisation
• Accessible to the general
public
• Nationally significant

What types of projects receive
funding?
Funding priority given to
projects that are being
carried out in a logical
order
Repeat applications are
encouraged

1. Significance assessment
Exhibition 2006
Brisbane at Night, Margaret Sydes, 1988 Teachers College sampler

2. Preservation needs assessment
Photographs from the Norfolk Island Museum’s preservation needs assessment prepared by Helen Price

3. Conservation & Preservation
Activities

Conservation & preservation
activities

Conservation & preservation
activities

Training
St Helens History & Visitor Information Centre, Levendale and Woodsdale History Rooms,
Textile conservation workshop Disaster Prevention and Recovery Workshop

Collection management software
Juandah Heritage Society CHG 2007/113
Collections Mosaic Software & training in it’s use

What projects are ineligible?
• Publishing
• Exhibitions
• Collecting projects
• Oral histories
• Capital works
• Microfilming newspapers or
magazines
• Family history research
• Salaries & volunteer costs
• Emergency activities
• Activities that are complete or
in progress

What are the assessors
looking for?
• Evidence of national significance
(section 6)
• A clear description of the
collection and who owns it
(section 3)
• A project that is feasible & good
value for money with a well
supported budget
(sections 3, 4 & 5)

National Significance
• You must attempt this question
• A significance statement is a
story about the importance of
your collection
Significance: a guide to assessing
the significance of cultural
heritage objects and collections
NB: A revised edition is currently being
published: Significance 2.0

Significance Criteria
Historic
Does your collection have
an association with
significant people, places or
events?

Black and white photograph:
Leon Kellaway instructs a class in the art of mime 1964
Programme:
Silver Jubilee Gala Performance 1989
Historic Significance
Australian Ballet School
CHG 2006/044

Aesthetic
Does your collection
contain objects of
outstanding
craftsmanship, style,
technical excellence or
quality of design?

Leinster hand painted fabric
Afghani dress
Aesthetic Significance
Embroiderers Guild of Queensland
CHG 2006/033

Scientific or Research
Does your collection
have the potential for
further examination or
study or could it influence
existing research?

Scientific & Research Significance
Australian Age of Dinosaurs
2008/070

Social or Spiritual
Does your collection
contain objects that are
highly regarded in your
community for their
social, spiritual or cultural
connections?

Elaborately carved front panel to the ‘altar’ or main offertory table
Social or Spiritual Significance
Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc
CHG 2005/101, 2007/046, 2008/066

Comparative Criteria
• Provenance
• Representativeness
• Rarity
• Condition

Tips for answering Q.6
• Provide as much information about your
collection as you can
• Discuss the collection you need funding for
• Identify rare or unique items
• Discuss any prominent Australians
• Relate your answer back to the criteria
• Attach supporting documents
• Read the 2008 Assessment Report

Assessment Process
1. CHG Coordinator
Confirms eligibility
2. Significance Assessor
National Significance
3. Preservation Assessor
Feasibility
Value for money
4. Assessment Panel
Comments from both assessors
Overall application

What do you get?
• Grant of up to $15 000
• Preservation workshop
in Canberra (first grant)

TIPS!
• Clearly explain how you will use your
grant money
• Attach quotes
• Do your research!
• Type your application
• Sign your application & submit it on
time!
Applications close 5pm 5 June
• Call at any time for assistance

Finally…
CHG is very competitive –
if you are unsuccessful,
don’t take it personally!
• Call and ask for feedback
• Investigate other options
• Try again!

Erin Stephens
CHG Coordinator
02 6262 1147
chg@nla.gov.au
www.nla.gov.au/chg