Individual Artists

Purpose

To support emerging or early-career artists to undertake professional development opportunities, gain experience, develop networks and learn skills from leaders in their field.

Round Information

Applications

Open:
Tuesday 1 August 2023
Close:
Tuesday 5 September 2023 5pm AEST

For projects/travel after

Friday 15 December 2023

Grants Announced

early December 2023

'The Good Person of Szechwan', Schaubühne Berlin, 2017. 2017 grantee Eloise Kent assisted with the set design for the production.

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.

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.

Over the 30 years since the Cultural Trust began, our 1,750 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.

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 Grantee Stories and 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 Apply for a Grant to learn about eligibility and criteria. Visit Funding Rounds to see open and close dates and eligible project start dates.

Please note that due to the high demand for funding, applications from artists who have completed and acquitted a Cultural Trust grant within the past two years will not be considered.

Feature case studies

  • William McRostie

    Undertake a study tour visiting Autonomous University of Barcelona, VocalEyes and Extant in London, New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, Elbow Room Theatre in Cardiff and Birds of Paradise in Glasgow

    Dates: 
    May - June 2018
    Grant: 
    $5,000
    descriptionvictoria.com.au/

    Read more

    ‘William crafted a comprehensive professional development tour, and met with leading organisations and practitioners who are at the forefront of audio description, inclusive and accessible arts practices in Europe. The connections, skills and experience he acquired during his time overseas will be invaluable to his work advancing the professional audio description sector in Australia.’

    Louise Arkles
    Program Manager

  • Aurelia Guo

    Undertake a mentorship with writer and artist Hannah Black, and complete a guest editorship of How To Sleep Faster 7 at Arcadia Missa, London

    Dates: 
    May - September 2016
    Grant: 
    $7,000
    www.afterhrsltd.com/Aurelia-Guo

    Read more

    ‘In February 2017, Aurelia commenced a 12 week position as freelance guest Poetry Editor at the Fanzine (US). Her poetry chapbook was launched at the beginning of 2017 in London.’

  • Christina Lucia Giuffrida

    Pursue a six-month Artist in Residence Program at Sculpture Space, New York 

    Dates: 
    October 2015 - March 2016
    Grant: 
    $7,000
    www.christinaluciagiuffrida.com/

    Read more

    ‘It was a positive and strong turn out from both the studio and the public. I was able to engage with many viewers and hear their response to the work ... having to organise an opening in a foreign city was extremely challenging. Yet the end result was incredibly satisfying and certainly a career milestone; to have a solo presentation of work in New York City.’

    Christina Giuffrida
    Speaking about opening night of ‘Querencia’

  • Amy Kennedy

    Complete a ten-week residency at Anderson Ranch Arts Centre in Colorado and present at the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts

    Dates: 
    February - May 2012
    Grant: 
    $6,000

    Read more

    ‘Amy’s work is just beautiful, its delicacy belies the heavy material and almost brutal firing process that is used to create it. We also received a lovely letter of endorsement from the Artistic Director of Ceramics, Wood and Sculpture at Anderson Ranch Arts Centre.’

    Claire Rimmer
    Program Manager, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust

  • Shona Masarin

    Continue a mentorship with Howard Guttenplan, Executive Director of the Millennium Film Workshop 

    Dates: 
    June 2011 - May 2012
    Grant: 
    $7,000
    www.shonamasarin.com

    Read more

    ‘Shona shared all information regarding her achievements overseas in such a matter of fact way that it is easy to overlook that she was extended some fantastic opportunities by an esteemed, long-established institution. She was obviously admired and respected and clearly is a very determined artist. This case study is a great example of how to surmount issues and make-good a project that could so easily have failed.’

    Claire Rimmer
    Ian Potter Cultural Trust Program Manager

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