This week, there are new opportunities for women working in the screen sector, including film, digital media and games, as well as emerging digital artists.
ArtsHub contributor Cat Dibley also recently wrote about why it looks like the same names are always winning arts grants, sharing a lot of behind-the-scenes information about the work currently being done to even the playing field.
Opportunities for creatives – quick links
Multi-artform
Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships – closes 9 August
Fellowship. The Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships are a rare beast, providing a $200,000 tax-free grant over two years, with no specific outcomes required.
These fellowships are open to ‘early mid-career’ Australian artists, creatives and cultural leaders, which is an opaque way of saying that a strong track record is essential. As a guide, past recipients include the novelist Emily Bitto, Joel Bray of Joel Bray Dance, and curator and writer Kimberley Moulton. But nominees also can’t be too experienced, with the fellowships restricted to those with between seven and 17 years of creative professional practice.
The other quirky detail is that nominations must come from a third party. (Artists can’t self-nominate, or have family members nominate on their behalf.)
Applications close 9 August.
First Nations Arts Leadership Program – closes 16 August
Professional development. The Dhiraamalang: Wesfarmers First Nations Arts Leadership Program is run by the National Gallery of Australia and has a strong reputation in the visual arts, but what’s not so well known is that the program is also open to First Nations people working in the culture and creative sector more broadly.
The program is designed to introduce participants to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and practices at different local and national galleries and institutions, and it culminates with an 11-day residency.
Established in 2010, the scheme has supported figures like Kimberley Moulton, now Adjunct Curator Indigenous Art at Tate Modern in London, alongside NAVA’s First Nations Outreach Coordinator Georgia Mokak, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s Teho Ropeyarn and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections, Rebecca Ray.
Applications close 16 August.
Regional Arts Fund (WA) – closes 17 August
Grant. These grants are for Western Australian arts projects that benefit regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities. The fund supports all artforms, and project grants of up to $30,000 are available. (In the last round, smaller grants of $3000 to $5000 were also awarded.)
The Regional Art Fund has a particular focus on supporting the creative development of regional and remote communities, and projects that broaden audience engagement.
Applications for this next round close 17 August.
City of Sydney Creative Grants (Sydney) – closes 1 September
Grant. The City of Sydney has just updated its grants programs, with an eye to making the appliation process simpler and more accessible.
The artist support grant is designed to help professional practicing artists from priority communities continue to live and work in Sydney, and it provides funding of up to $25,000. Artists can also apply for a one-bedroom studio apartment in Darlinghurst, with fixed rent of $200 per week.
A third program supports the creation of new works, along with events, festivals and cultural experiences. The creative projects grants provide funding up to $50,000 for each project. This can include up to $10,000 for capital expenditure, which can cover things like investing in technology or buying new equipment.
The opportunities are open to creatives based in the greater Sydney area (not just the City of Sydney local government area) and there’s also funding available for arts venues.
An online briefing about the new City of Sydney grants scheme and what’s changed will be held on 21 July.
Red Ochre Award – closes 15 September
Prize. Creative Australia’s First Nations arts awards are now open, including the $60,000 Red Ochre Awards for Lifetime Achievement. Nominations can be made for senior First Nations artists, cultural leaders and advocates who have a practice spanning 30 years or more.
There are also awards for established artists, young artists and First Nations arts and cultural businesses.
Nominations need to be in by 15 September.
ArtsHub: Bronwyn Bancroft and Hetti Perkins recognised in First Nations Awards
Visual arts
Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale – closes 4 August
Commission. Creative Australia is now inviting artistic proposals for the Australia Pavilion at the next Venice Biennale in 2028. Representing Australia at the ‘Olympics of the art world’ is definitely not for faint of heart, and proposals must put forward an artistic team that pairs an established artist with a curator who has significant experience with exhibition-making, writing and publishing, and delivering complex projects.
An information session will be held 15 July, and applications for this first stage close 4 August. Those teams who make it through to Stage Two then receive $5500 to develop a full proposal.
ArtsHub: Khaled Sabsabi reveals details of two installations at Venice Biennale
Stolen Generations Memorial (VIC) – closes 9 August
Commission. The City of Moonee Valley is seeking a First Nations artist with a connection to Victoria to create a permanent marker honouring the Stolen Generations, who were forcibly removed from their families and communities through race-based policies implemented by state and federal governments.
The design will be installed in Napier Park, and the Mayor of Moonee Valley, Councillor Dr Rose Iser, said this public artwork would provide a place for reflection and healing for the community.
‘Supporting public art through commissions is really important at the local level,’ Dr Iser said. ‘This latest commission means we can sensitively and artistically respect the trauma experienced by Stolen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities. Once installed, it will create a place of significance for our community to gather and reflect.’
The selected artist will work in partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders and council on the design and installation. An artist brief is now available, and expressions of interest are due by 9 August.
NEW – 4A Lab Emerging Digital Artist Program – closes 10 August
Exhibition opportunity. The 4A Centre for Contemporary Art in Sydney is offering two exhibition opportunities to emerging digital artists, in honour of the late Laurens Tan.
Tan was a pioneer of digital and new media art, and in that vein, 4A is looking for emerging artists using new technologies in their creative process and also in how they present work in the gallery space. The aim here is to support art that explores new media practice, burgeoning technology and change.
Two opportunities are available, one in late 2026 and another in early 2027. Alongside curatorial support and 8 exhibition days in 4A Lab, artists receive a $1000 fee and $500 towards materials.
Applications for the 4A Lab Emerging Digital Artist Program close 10 August, with decisions set to be announced swiftly.
The Mill Exhibition Program (SA) – closes 10 August
Exhibition opportunity. Adelaide’s The Mill is now working out its 2027 exhibition program, and artists, curators and collectives are invited to apply. The exhibition slots run for around seven to eight weeks (including bump in and bump out) and take place in the gallery at 154 Angas Street.
The aim is to pay NAVA rates for artist fees, though funding has yet to be confirmed for this. The call out closes 10 August.
Michela & Adrian Fini Artist Fellowship (WA) – closes 14 August
Fellowship. Valued at $25,000, the Sheila Foundation’s Michela & Adrian Fini Artist Fellowship is focused exclusively on supporting women artists in Western Australia.
It backs the creation of new work, to be exhibited at one of seven exhibition spaces:
- Art Gallery of Western Australia
- Edith Cowan Gallery
- Goolugatup Heathcote
- John Curtin Gallery
- Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery
- Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
- Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre
The application process is a little unusual because there’s no central portal – you’ll need to enquire directly via one of the seven eligible organisations – and at this point, there’s little information about what to submit or the kinds of projects that are being sought.
As a guide, a similar fellowship was run in 2021, 2022 and 2023, which backed projects by Alana Hunt, Natalya Hughes and Salote Tawale.
Applications close 14 August, but given the need for research and early conversations with venues, this might be one to start on sooner rather than later!
Head On Photo Awards – closes 16 August
Prize. The Head On Photo Awards have a reputation for celebrating both big names and up-and-coming talent and that’s on purpose. The awards are open to photographers of every level, from professional photographers to those shooting on their phone, and all judging is anonymous.
‘Great photography is not about the camera you own, the country you come from or the name on your résumé. It is about the image and its ability to make us stop, feel and see the world differently,’ said Head On Photo Festival Founder and Creative Director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM.
There are three categories: portrait, landscape and an open ‘Exposure’ section. The main winners in each receive a $5000 cash prize plus a OM Systems Camera Kit and Adobe Cloud subscription. Finalists also exhibit in the Head On Photo Festival exhibition, which takes place in Sydney and Perth.
General entries are $35 and close 16 August.
Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Award – closes 17 August
Prize. The $25,000 Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award has a storied history, with past winners including Polly Borland, Merilyn Fairskye, Shaun Gladwell, Polixeni Papapetrou, Darren Sylvester and Justine Varga.
It’s also an acquisitive award, with the winning work going into the collection of HOTA Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast.
This year’s judging panel includes artist Tamara Dean, curator and UNSW Galleries Director José Da Silva and independent curator and writer Mikala Tai, a former director of 4A Centre for Contemporary Art.
Finalists will be included in the annual exhibition at HOTA later in the year.
Entries close 17 August. To support participation, the entry fee has been reduced to $15. Mob Tix for First Nations artists are $10.
Kate Derum and Irene Davies Awards – closes 7 September
Prize. Run by the Australian Tapestry Workshop, the biennial Kate Derum and Irene Davies Awards invites artists from around the world to submit small-scale handwoven tapestry works.
The awards seek work that demonstrate ‘an expressive use of tapestry through materials, concept, colour and design’.
The Kate Derum Award is for established artists, and comes with a $4000 prize. The Irene Davies Award is for those in their first five years of practice, and is worth $1000. There is also an innovation award, and other smaller prizes.
For inspiration, the 2024 exhibition catalogue includes the work of past winners Anna Dunnill from Melbourne and Misako Nakahara from Japan.
Entries to the Kate Derum and Irene Davies Awards are $25 and close 7 September.
Kilgour Art Prize – closes 5 October
Prize. The Newcastle Art Gallery had to shelve this one during the recent redevelopment work, but with the gallery open again, the Kilgour Art Prize is on its way back too. ‘We are thrilled that, as part of our reopening year, we are able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this nationally significant art prize,’ said NAG Director Lauretta Morton.
The Kilgour celebrates figurative and portrait painting and comes with a $50,000 main prize. Past winners include Nicholas Harding, whose Beach life (pink zinc and figures) is currently on display in the the gallery’s Iconic Loved Unexpected exhibition, as well as Natasha Walsh, Blak Douglas, Michael Bell and Peter Gardiner.
Joining Morton on the judging panel this year will be independent curator Kelli Cole and artist Jason Phu. The award exhibition is set to take place in April next year.
Entries are $50 and close 5 October.
Performing arts
Music Works (VIC) – closes 5 August
Grant. Creative Victoria’s Music Works grants are for Victorian contemporary music artists and arts workers, as well as organisations and businesses in the music industry.
There are two funding streams: one providing grants of up to $5000, and another providing project funding of between $10,000 and $40,000. The money can be used to cover things like the cost of writing and recording, touring, professional development and marketing.
Applications close 5 August.
Adelaide Fringe Fund – closes 10 August
Grant. Adelaide Fringe is reshaping its grants program for the 2027 festival to ‘concentrate funding into more substantial grants,’ a spokesperson said.
These larger grants are intended to create ‘a stronger pipeline of ambitious work while maintaining meaningful support for emerging artists, First Nations artists, regional participants, diverse communities and artists presenting new work,’ they said.
The 2027 Fringe Fund now has three main funding streams:
- Show Starter – offering grants of $5000, $10,000 and $20,000 for the development, staging and promotion of new work at Adelaide Fringe
- Show on the Road – providing grants of up to $30,000 for shows touring to regional and remote South Australia during the Adelaide Fringe season, as well as regional and remote South Australian venues looking to program an Adelaide Fringe season
- Show Me How Producer Mentorship – supporting early career producers presenting a show at the 2027 Adelaide Fringe with $2500 grants for self-directed professional development
Applications for all three streams close 10 August, with decisions expected in September.
Fringe World Next Act Fund – closes 24 August
Grant. The Next Act Fund is for artists presenting work at Perth’s Fringe World festival next year, and provides a $5000 grant alongside a marketing support package worth $1500. It’s open to individual artists as well as collectives and organisations, and up to five projects will be supported. There were 37 applications for the Next Act Fund in 2026, including The Wetness, which ArtsHub‘s reviewer described as a ‘lush, watery world’.
Applications for the 2027 round close on 24 August.
Helpmann Fellowships (SA) – closes 31 August
Fellowship. The Helpmann Academy is funding three $7500 fellowships for emerging creatives who are recent graduates or final year students at Adelaide University, Flinders University or the University of South Australia.
The Helpmann Fellowships can be used to make or perform new work, take up professional development opportunities (such as residencies or training) or for touring and recording.
There will be an online info session on 4 August, and applications close 31 August.
Writing, publishing & playwriting
Tasmanian Literary Awards (TAS) – closes 17 August
Prize. The Tasmanian Literary Awards include the Premier’s Prize for Fiction, recognising recent Tasmanian novels, along with separate awards for non-fiction, writing for screen and stage, children’s literature, poetry and First Nations writers.
Entries close 17 August.
Shane & Cathryn Brennan Prize – closes 27 August
Prize. The Shane & Cathryn Brennan Prize for Playwriting is open to members of the Australian Writers’ Guild. There are two categories, Stage and Theatre for Young Audiences, and each winner will receive $10,000 and see their script made eligible for AWG’s prestigious Pathways for Playwrights program.
There is no minimum or maximum duration for scripts entered, though organisers suggest that playwrights consider ‘theatrical norms’.
The prize is also open to new members, provided they sign up for a minimum of 12 months. Applications close 27 August.
Scarlet Stiletto Awards – closes 31 August
Prize. This short story award is for crime fiction written by Australian women. Aside from the killer name, the Scarlet Stilettos can also boast a lot of sway in the sector, having helped kick off the careers of writers like Cate Kennedy, Tara Moss, Ellie Marney and Dervla McTiernan, among many others.
There are several cash prizes on offer, with the main prize worth $2000. Stories just have be under 5000 words and include an element of crime or mystery, though there’s a lot of scope in how that can be interpreted.
Entries cost $30 for non-members, and close 31 August.
NEW – Natalie Miller Fellowship – closes 4 September
Fellowship. The Natalie Miller Fellowship awards two grants of $10,000 to women pursuing professional development in the Australian screen sector. Over the past 15 years, fellowships have been awarded to figures like Rachel Okine, Head of Scripted at ABC, and Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd, the Film Curator at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
It’s open to women working in both the traditional sectors of the the Australian screen industry (such as distribution, exhibition, production, post-production and financing) as well as the emerging sectors (including immersive media, digital content and gaming).
ScreenHub: Natalie Miller Fellowship awards dual recipients with 2025 grant
President of the Natalie Miller Fellowship Sasha Close said the goal was investing in ‘women with bold ambitions to lead, innovate and shape the future of screen’.
She added that the scheme had built an impressive alumni network ‘spanning exhibition, distribution, production and other sectors of the industry, with fellows going on to make a lasting impact across the Australian screen industry’.
Applications close 4 September. The recipients will be announced at the Australian International Movie Convention, held on the Gold Coast from 26 to 29 October.
Griffin Theatre Submissions – open 2-9 October
Production opportunity. Sydney’s Griffin Theatre has announced plans to hold two open play submission windows each year, with the first slated for this October.
‘Open access matters,’ said a theatre spokesperson in the announcement. ‘It creates pathways for writers at any stage of their career and helps ensure our stages reflect the breadth, complexity and imagination of contemporary Australia.’
These open submission periods are designed to help the company ‘connect with more playwrights and plays outside of our creative programs and their application processes,’ the statement continued.
Griffin Theatre is looking for new full-length work by Australian playwrights who have at least two professional productions behind them.
During these week-long windows, writers will be invited to submit full drafts of plays through an online portal, with feedback then provided within three months.
Submissions will be read by the Griffin Literary and Artistic team, which includes Literary Associate Daley Rangi, Artistic Director Declan Greene and Associate Artistic Director Anthea Williams, but the process may also involve collaborating with other readers and consultants external to the company to ensure that plays are assessed within their context.
The first submission window will be open from 2 to 9 October.
