The Cultural Trust is committed to encouraging excellence and supporting a vibrant, world-class arts scene in Australia.

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.

Who can apply?

• Be a minimum of 18 years old by the project start date.
• Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia.
• Make a reasonable personal financial contribution to their project.
• Demonstrate exceptional talent, initiative, and passion for their work.
• Classify as an emerging or early-career artist*.

*As a general guide, the Trust considers emerging and early-career artists to be within 10 years of attaining a formal qualification (such as an undergraduate degree or equivalent) in their area of practice.

This does not mean applicants need to have attained formal qualifications in their area of practice to be considered for a grant. Where an applicant does not have formal training, the beginning of their practice is commonly marked by a significant recognition of the artist's work and the artist's vocational commitment to ongoing practice.

Who can't apply?

• Individuals who have received or acquitted a grant from the Trust within the last two years.
• Artistic groups such as a string quartet or comedy duo cannot submit a single application on behalf of multiple individuals. For artists seeking funding for a collaborative development project, each artist must submit an individual online application.

• Email: culturaltrust@ianpotter.org.au