The Ian Potter Cultural Trust seeks to encourage the diversity and excellence of emerging artists in Australia. The Trust makes grants of up $7,000 to early career artists practising in a wide range of disciplines within the arts, including the performing and visual arts, crafts, music, the media, literature,  design, community arts and other areas.

"...None of these opportunities would have been afforded to me without the valuable assistance of The Ian Potter Cultural Trust and others, and I am profoundly grateful to the Trust for its support. Organisations such as the IPCT are invaluable to our society, by allowing developing artists to pursue opportunities otherwise unaffordable to them and thus enriching us all."

Dale Truscott,
Asst Principal Trombonist,
The Queensland Orchestra

Trapeze studies with Victor Formaine

Montreal, Canada
September 2008 to January 2009

Grant: $5,000

Emma started her circus training in Australia at the National School of Circus Arts (NICA) in Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Arts in 2006. She was the recipient of the May Wirth Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding female student in her first year of study, and was encouraged in her final year to train in Montreal under Victor Formaine, coach and aerial conceptur for the Cirque du Soleil.

Working towards being selected for competition at the 30th Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (Worldwide Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow), in Paris, Emma was training six days a week for five - six hours a day.

This Festival selects just 24 emerging artists from 800 applicants around the world to compete in front of a jury of fourteen elite representatives from the circus industry.

Emma went on to receive a gold medal and three top prizes, Prix du President de la Republique, Prix Franco Dragone Entertainment Group and the Prix du Moulin Rouge.  She is one of only seven Australians ever to have competed at the festival, and the only Australian to have received a gold medal.

Masters in Piano Performance at the Royal College of Music

London, UK
September 2008 - July 2009

Grant:  $7000

Amir Farid is a highly talented and accomplished young pianist, winner of the 2006 Australian National Piano Award and graduate of the University of Melbourne and Australian National Academy of Music.  Amir is one of this country's most promising piano talents and was offered a place and scholarship at the Royal College of Music (RCM) to undertake an intensive Masters degree in Piano Performance, under the tuition of Professor Andrew Ball.

Now approaching the end of his time in London, Amir reports that in addition to achieving great success in his studies, the experience at RCM has provided him with an opportunity to work at a very high standard which as greatly helped his development.

In addition, he has found himself in the company of many highly accomplished musicians which he says, "has only motivated me to push further and improve as much as I can."

As Amir explains, "My time in London as not only allowed me to develop rapidly as a pianist, but also to develop my network of contacts who I am confident will aid me in developing my career over the years...  I have fulfilled my dream of hearing Martha Argerich live, have heard the London Philharmonic, London Symphony and BBC Symphony orchestras several times and was sitting about three metres away from Murray Perahia when he gave a Masterclass at the RCM.  These are experiences that not only help me learn in ways that no other can achieve but will stay with me as special memories for the rest of my life."

Graduate Diploma in Book and Library Materials Conservation

West Sussex, UK
September 2008 - July 2009

Grant: $7,000

As there is no formal training for Book Conservation or Design Binding within Australia, there is a shortage of specialists  and as a result many Australian cultural institutions have resorted to boxing damaged books to protect them, which prevents them being accessed by the public.

Julie originally studied for a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Film and Television Production at Griffith University, Brisbane, before going on to undertake a Bookbinding Certificate at NSW TAFE.

This opportunity to extend her studies at West Dean College's Book and Library Materials Program, provided  a multi-faceted artistic and intellectual framework in which to practice.

The Conservation Programs at West Dean College has an international reputation and students work on a wide range of objects from the College collection, national and international museums and private collections. Graduates from West Dean College are considered leading practitioners in their field throughout the world.

Julie says that her studies have exceeded her expectations being is rigorous, exacting, and consistently at the forefront of research and development within the profession.  Although the studies are demanding and challenging, Julie consistently achieved Distinctions and was offered a place in the 2009/2010 Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Program.

Professional residency in traditional Japanese Lacquering Techniques

Wajima, Japan
February 2009 - February 2010

Granted $7,000

Bic Tieu is a talented and dedicated designer and maker of contemporary jewellery with special interest in the craft of traditional Japenese lacquering.  Bic holds a Master of Design (Hons) from the College of Fine Arts at The University of Sydney.  Her project was to travel to Waijima, the lacquer centre of Japan.

Bic worked under the guidance of lacquer master Kitamura Tatsuo, developing and refining her knowledge of lacquer tools, materials, and learning various lacquer techniques.  Kitamura works are represented in galleries around the world.  The studio has been responsible for the rediscovery and revival of a mastery level of a range of lost techniques.

At present there are no professional practitioners of Japanese lacquer techniques in Australia.

This training therefore, offered a rare opportunity for Bic to immerse herself in the study to develop into a mature lacquer artist practitioner. Her aim now is to contribute to the understanding, development and dissemination of this important Japanese tradition.
Bic reports, "This opportunity to work at the Kitamura Kobo was rare...I learnt in a highly professional environment where quality, craftsmanship, design, and technique are absolutely superior.  I was also been able to join the Shikoukenkyukai, a lacquer group that focuses on research and development of lacquer arts in Japan.  Through this I had opportunities to connect with other lacquer artists and attend lacquer workshops."