Encouraging and supporting the diversity and excellence of emerging Australian artists
Professional development opportunities allow emerging or early-career artists to gain experience, develop networks and learn skills from the world's best. We believe these experiences are invaluable for the individual artists and for the ongoing development of the sector as a whole.
The Cultural Trust funds nationally, and across the spectrum of the arts: from visual arts to community radio and design to literature, spanning traditional art forms through to experimental mediums.
Over the 25 years since the Cultural Trust began, our 1,600 grantees have travelled to every continent and over 100 different countries, 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.
Historically, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust’s grants to emerging artists focused 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.
A number of the artists supported by the Cultural Trust have gone on to become household names or gain renown in their field, contributing in myriad ways to the calibre and vivacity of Australia's cultural life.
To read more about the experiences of some Cultural Trust grantees, please read our case studies, grantee stories or take a look at our annual grants reports.
If you are an early career or emerging artist with an opportunity to further your professional development overseas, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $15,000. Please see how to apply for a grant to find out what it takes. See here for future funding rounds including open and close dates as well as project start dates.
Please note that due to the high level of demand for funding, applications from artists who have completed and acquitted a Cultural Trust grant within the past two years will not be considered.
