Applications open for Creative WA Fellowships Program (Australia)

Deadline: 10-Sep-2026

The Creative WA Fellowships Program supports individual artists and creative practitioners in Western Australia to develop their artistic practice, build skills and create sustainable career pathways. The program offers Arts Fellowships for Young People of $26,000 and Arts Development Fellowships of $50,000 for emerging, mid-career and established artists.

About the Creative WA Fellowships Program

The Creative WA Fellowships Program provides financial support for individual creative development and professional growth. The fellowships are designed to give artists dedicated time and resources to strengthen their practice, develop new work, gain skills and establish long-term creative careers. Funding for materials does not include capital equipment. Arts Fellowships for Young People The Arts Fellowships for Young People provide $26,000 to emerging young creatives aged 18 to 25. The fellowship aims to help young people increase their participation in the arts, develop their creative practice and establish pathways towards a sustainable creative career. Up to five Arts Fellowships for Young People will be awarded each year. Demonstrate commitment to their artistic practice. Provide examples of their creative work. Provide letters of support. Applicants should use their portfolio and supporting statements to demonstrate their artistic development, creative potential and commitment to building a future in the arts. What Can Young Fellows Use the Funding For? The $26,000 fellowship can support activities connected with creative and professional development, such as: Research. Skills development. Residencies. Creation of new work. Mentorship. Artist fees. Living expenses. Materials. Travel. The funding is intended to provide young artists with the resources and opportunity to develop their practice and explore future career pathways. Arts Development Fellowships The Arts Development Fellowships provide $50,000 to emerging, mid-career and established artists. The fellowship is designed to support an intensive period of creative development for outstanding individual creative practitioners. Up to six Arts Development Fellowships will be awarded each year. Successful applicants can use the fellowship to dedicate substantial time to research, experimentation, professional development and the creation of new artistic work. Who Is Eligible for an Arts Development Fellowship?

Applicants must:

Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Live in Western Australia. Work in an eligible creative arts discipline. Have at least five years of professional artistic practice. Demonstrate their professional experience through appropriate evidence. The program is open to artists at different career stages, including: Emerging artists. Mid-career artists. Established artists. Eligible Creative Development Activities Arts Development Fellowship funding can support a broad range of creative and professional activities. Young People Fellowship applicants should provide letters of support and examples of their work. Arts Development applicants should provide evidence demonstrating their minimum five years of professional practice.

Step 6: Demonstrate Career Impact

Explain how the fellowship will contribute to your longer-term creative career. A strong proposal should make clear what will change or develop as a result of receiving the fellowship. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying for the wrong fellowship category. Failing to demonstrate Western Australian residency. Providing insufficient evidence of professional practice. Submitting a weak or poorly organized portfolio. Listing activities without explaining their creative purpose. Providing an unclear budget. Requesting funding for capital equipment. Failing to explain how the fellowship will advance their career. Describing general artistic ambitions without specific development objectives. Young People Fellowship vs Arts Development Fellowship

Young People Fellowship: $26,000; applicants aged 18–25; up to five awards annually.

Arts Development Fellowship: $50,000; emerging, mid-career and established artists; minimum five years of professional practice; up to six awards annually.

Both require applicants to be Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Western Australia. Both can support research, skills development, residencies, new work, mentorship, artist fees, living expenses, materials and travel. Arts Development Fellowships must run for 12 months. Why the Creative WA Fellowships Matter Individual artists often need dedicated time and financial resources to develop new work, experiment with ideas and build sustainable careers. The Creative WA Fellowships Program addresses this need by providing direct support to individual practitioners at different stages of their creative careers. For young creatives, the fellowship can provide an early pathway into professional artistic practice. For more experienced practitioners, the Arts Development Fellowship can provide an intensive 12-month period for significant creative and professional development. Key Facts at a Glance

Program: Creative WA Fellowships Program

Main beneficiaries: Individual artists and creative practitioners

Young People Fellowship: $26,000

Young applicant age: 18–25

Young fellowships available: Up to 5 annually

Arts Development Fellowship: $50,000

Professional experience required: At least 5 years for Arts Development Fellowship

Development fellowship duration: 12 months

Residency requirement: Western Australia

Citizenship: Australian citizen or permanent resident

Supported activities: Research, skills development, residencies, new work, mentorship, artist fees, living allowance, materials and travel

Capital equipment: Not eligible

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Creative WA Fellowships Program? The Creative WA Fellowships Program provides financial support to individual artists and creatives in Western