Emerging Artist Grants Program 2025 (Round 1) – Australia

Benefits

• 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.

Funding Information

• The Ian Potter Cultural Trust runs funding rounds through which individual artists can apply for grants of up to $15,000.

Eligible Projects

• Development projects in Australia will only be considered for funding in exceptional circumstances. This includes distinguished or extraordinary opportunities that will offer exceptional benefits to an individual’s creative practice.
• In line with the funding principle to encourage the diversity, excellence, and distinction of emerging Australian artists, the Trust prioritizes funding international professional development opportunities.

Ineligible Projects

• 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.

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.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals who have received or acquitted a grant from the Trust within the last two years.
• Artistic groups such as a string quartet or comedy duo cannot submit a single application on behalf of multiple individuals. For artists seeking funding for a collaborative development project, each artist must submit an individual online application.

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.