Opportunities – quick links:
Awards and competitions
The Nature Conservancy 2025 Oceania Photo Contest
Photographers are invited to submit images that capture the vibrance and vulnerability of our natural world, with six categories and a $15,000 prize pool to win. Entries close 24 October; learn more and enter.
Grants and funding
2026 Minderoo Foundation Artist Fund (WA)
The Artist Fund offers grants of $35,000 and residencies at Forrest Hall to the value of $20,000, to West Australian mid-career artists to tackle new ideas and contribute to the cultural landscape of WA. With no limit on project scope or artform, this is an opportunity for artists to test new ground and extend their practice. Applications close 25 September; learn more and apply.
Create NSW 2025/26 Regional Arts Touring
Round 1 applications are now open to support homegrown arts and cultural producers eager to take their shows and exhibitions out on the road to every corner of NSW. Funding up to $60,000 for Small Tours and up to $120,000 for Large Tours is available for both individual artists and organisations with important stories to be told and experiences to be shared. Entries close 7 October; learn more and enter.
Experience Gold Coast Arts Fund 2026 (Qld)
Gold Coast based artists, collectives, and organisations are invited to apply for support to bring their creative projects to life, with a total of $1.5 million available. Successful projects will be showcased across Experience Gold Coast’s signature festivals and events including Blues on Broadbeach, Wonder, BLEACH*, Cooly Rocks On, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Kids Take Over at HOTA and HOTA Outdoor Stage. EOIs close 15 October; learn more and apply.
Callouts
Outer Space First Nations Studio (Qld)
Outer Space Brisbane is calling for First Nations artists to develop their practice in a flexible, professional and support environment, offering a 29.8-metre-square space 6km from the CBD, at Northshore Precinct. Applications close 18 September (extended); learn more and apply.
Top Arts 2026 (Vic)
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is calling for students who have completed VCE Art Making and Exhibiting, and VCE Art Creative Practice to take part in its annual exhibition, Top Arts. The selection criteria includes strong conceptual development, imaginative and individual qualities, and technical excellence. Applications close 26 October; learn more and apply.
Professional development
Debra Porch Award: Visual Arts Residency (Bangkok, Thailand)
Creative Australia has committed to a three year (2024 – 2026) trilateral partnership with SAC Gallery, Bangkok and UNSW Galleries, Sydney with the support of the Debra Porch Award. Each gallery will host one artist each year; an Australian artist and a Thai artist, to undertake a visual arts residency. A $10,000 stipend is available for Australian artists for the six-week residency, with studio access at SAC Gallery.
Applications close 16 September; learn more and apply.
King Island Artist Residency 2026 (Tas)
The King Island Artist Residency offers Tasmanian and national professional artists working in any art form, between two to five weeks of creative time on King Island, Tasmania. A key component of the residency is exchange with the King Island community. The residency includes free accommodation and access to a vehicle and studio while on the island. Applications close 1 October; learn more and apply.
Want more? Visit our Opportunities page for more open competitions, prizes, EOIs and call-outs.
