Grants for talented Emerging and Early-career Artists in Australia

The Ian Potter Cultural Trust is committed to encouraging excellence and supporting Australia’s vibrant, world-class arts scene.

If a development opportunity within Australia is of high quality and can offer exceptional benefit to an individual’s professional practice, applicants may seek funding to undertake a professional development project within Australia. In line with the Cultural Trust’s funding principle to encourage the diversity, excellence, and distinction of emerging Australian artists, The Trustees have indicated a preference that at least 70% of grants be awarded to support projects overseas.

They support applicants who can demonstrate initiative, exceptional talent, and the ability to convert their ambitions into reality. In particular, they are looking for well-researched and planned projects.

The Trust primarily provides support for structured professional development and networking opportunities such as:

• Residencies
• Mentorships
• Study tours that have a clear skills development focus
• Private lessons
• Internships
• Conferences and workshops.

The Trust may also consider supporting postgraduate study with a focus on professional development and artistic practice where no equivalent exists in Australia.

Funding Information

• Grant Amount: up to $15,000

Eligibility Criteria

• The Trust’s key priority is supporting emerging and early-career artists career and professional development. Grants are made to practising artists for professional development opportunities, usually overseas. In exceptional cases, the Trustees may consider providing support for artists who do not fall into the emerging/early-career category.
• Grant applicants must meet several criteria to be eligible for funding:
  • Grants are only available to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents of Australia
  • Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age when they apply to The Ian Potter Cultural Trust
  • All applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent, initiative and passion for their work
  • Applicants must make a reasonable personal financial contribution to the project.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The Cultural Trust does not support:
  • Projects for which the sole purpose is an exhibition, performance or the making of a recording
  • Undergraduate degree courses overseas will not be considered for support
  • Postgraduate study being undertaken through an Australian institution
  • Applications that the Trust previously declined cannot be resubmitted.
• The Trust prioritises its funding to support opportunities overseas. Funding for projects in Australia may be awarded if the development opportunity is of high quality and can offer exceptional benefits to an individual’s professional practice.

For more information, visit Ian Potter Cultural Trust.