Emerging Artist Grants Program (Round 3) – Australia

Professional development opportunities allow emerging artists to gain experience, develop networks and learn skills from the world’s best. They believe these experiences are invaluable for individual artists and the ongoing development of Australia’s vibrant arts sector.

The Trust’s Emerging Artist Grants program funds nationally and supports individual artists practising across the spectrum of the arts, from visual arts to community radio, design to literature, conservation of cultural heritage to circus arts.

The Trust primarily supports structured professional development and networking opportunities such as residencies, internships, mentorships, workshops, and conferences.

What they support?

• The Cultural Trust offers grants of up to $15,000.
• Residencies
• Mentorships
• Study tours that have a clear skills development focus
• Masterclasses and private lessons
• Internships
• Conferences and workshops
• Postgraduate study with a focus on professional development and artistic practice where no equivalent exists in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
  • Be a minimum of 18 years old by the project start date.
  • Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia.
  • Make a reasonable personal financial contribution to their project.
  • Demonstrate exceptional talent, initiative, and passion for their work.
  • Classify as an emerging or early-career artist.

Ineligible

• Projects for which the sole purpose is an exhibition, performance, or making a work (such as a recording or publication). This includes performances at festivals.
• Undergraduate degree courses.
• Postgraduate study being undertaken through an Australian institution.
• Projects that are already underway or will commence before the date indicated in the funding rounds; the Trust does not fund retrospectively.
• Applications that the Trust has previously declined. Applicants may re-apply if seeking funding for a different project.

Assessment Criteria

• Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
  • Applicant’s talent and demonstrated commitment to their practice.
  • Relevance and benefits of the development experience to the applicant’s career development.
  • Viability of the proposed project.
  • Alignment of the proposed project with the Trust’s funding principles.

For more information, visit The Ian Potter Cultural Trust.