Emerging Artist Grants

Encouraging and supporting the diversity and excellence of emerging Australian artists

The Emerging Artist Grants program offers grants of up to $15,000 to assist talented emerging and early-career artists in taking up professional development opportunities, usually overseas.

Professional development opportunities allow emerging artists to gain experience, develop networks and learn skills from the world's best. We 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.

Over the past three decades, our 1850+ grantees have travelled to every continent, challenging themselves both personally and professionally.

Creative producers, audio describers, set designers, poets, circus artists, musicians, painters, film-makers and curators... the list of artistic practices supported is almost as expansive as the projects undertaken.

A number of the artists supported by the Trust have gone on to become household names or gain renown in their field, contributing in myriad ways to the calibre and vibrancy of Australian cultural life.

'Please Leave (a message)', co-created by grantee Dana McMillan as part of the collective ClusterFlux for Form(at) Festival, Camden People’s Theatre. Featuring performers (L-R) Linda van Egmond, Chris Whyte, Miray Sidhom and Jack Hilton. Image: Joe Hazell.

Historically, Emerging Artist Grants focus on supporting international professional development opportunities.

In October 2022, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust's Board approved a fundamental change to the funding program; applicants may now seek funding to undertake a professional development project within Australia.

Please note that the Trust will continue to prioritise the funding of international professional development opportunities.