CFAs: Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship (Australia)

Creative Australia’s Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship 2026 supports emerging arts leaders from regional and remote Australia through an experiential, challenge-based learning program.

Participants gain access to national leadership programs, mentoring, networking opportunities, and travel or access support, with activities running from August 2026 to June 2027.

The scholarship targets practising artists and arts workers with 5–10 years of experience working across diverse artforms in regional or remote areas.

The Creative Australia is offering the Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship to develop leadership capacity among emerging arts professionals in regional and remote areas.

The program combines immersive learning, national events participation, tailored mentoring, and challenge-based projects to grow leadership skills and foster positive change in Australia’s arts and cultural sector.

Program Objectives

The scholarship is designed to help participants:

• Develop a Climate Action Plan within their practice

• Strengthen personal leadership capability

• Build diverse networks and perspectives

• Contribute to strategic discussions shaping the future of regional Australia

• Integrate ethical learning and action into leadership practice

• Support vision-driven change across Australia’s arts and cultural sector

Participants are encouraged to lead initiatives that have meaningful cultural and community impact.

Program Timeline and Key Activities

Duration: August 2026 – June 2027

Artlands Gathering

• Dates: 23–25 September 2026

• Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland

• Hosted by Regional Arts Australia

• Three-day national gathering for networking and experiential learning

TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program

• Dates: Early March 2027 (seven-day program)

• Run by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

• Focused on leadership development and practical challenges

Mentoring and Tailored Support

• Ongoing mentoring from Regional Arts Australia

• Opportunities to connect with diverse networks and industry leaders

• Practical guidance for leadership and project implementation

Travel and Access Support

Travel Support

• Up to $2,500 available to reduce financial barriers

• Eligible costs: flights, ground transport, accommodation

• Ineligible: wages, per diems, or stipends

• Applicants must specify requested amount, planned use, and impact on participation

• Limited funding; may not be available to all successful applicants

Access and Inclusion Support

• Up to $3,000 contribution toward access needs

• Applicants must specify requirements and intended use

• Outcomes communicated alongside scholarship results

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Live and work in regional or remote Australia

• Be Australian citizens or permanent residents

• Be practising artists or arts workers with 5–10 years of experience

• Work primarily in:

  • First Nations Arts and Culture

  • Community Arts and Cultural Development

  • Emerging and Experimental Arts

  • Multi-Arts

  • Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, Literature

  • Intersections of these artforms

• Be available to attend all program activities

Not Eligible:

• Individuals under 18 years

• Groups or organisations

• Practitioners primarily in film, fashion, graphic design, screen, gaming, or architecture

• Past participants of specific Creative Australia leadership programs (Arts Leaders/Future Leaders 2022–23, Creative Leadership Program 2024–25, SEC Newgate Mentoring 2025–26)

• Applicants with unresolved Creative Australia funding obligations

• Applicants submitting multiple applications

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Application

• Submit a CV (Word, PDF, or URL) relevant to the opportunity

• Optional support materials (files or URLs accessible without login/payment)

• Applications by post will not be assessed

Step 2: Stage 1 – Initial Assessment

• Industry advisers and Creative Australia staff review applications against published criteria

• Internal moderation determines shortlisting

Step 3: Stage 2 – Interviews

• Shortlisted applicants notified: week commencing 18 May 2026

• Interviews: 1–2 June 2026

• Duration: 30 minutes

• Panel: Creative Australia staff, industry adviser, and program provider representative

• Interview topics:

  • Leadership introduction

  • Motivation for participation and timing

  • Handling discomfort and uncertainty

  • Desired change in Australia’s arts sector and applicant’s role

• Optional: 4-minute video response for leadership introduction

Step 4: Outcome and Agreement

• Applicants notified within 14 weeks of closing date

• Successful applicants receive participation agreement and funding arrangements

• Agreement details payment schedule, reporting, and program conditions

Why This Scholarship Matters

The Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship strengthens regional arts leadership by:

• Building leadership capability among emerging arts professionals

• Encouraging cross-sector collaboration and networking

• Promoting ethical, visionary approaches in arts and culture

• Supporting leaders in contributing to climate action and regional development

• Enhancing the capacity of the regional arts sector to drive sustainable impact

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete or irrelevant CVs

• Failing to demonstrate leadership experience or vision

• Ignoring eligibility restrictions (artform, location, prior program participation)

• Not specifying travel or access support clearly

• Missing program activity commitments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the scholarship?

Emerging arts leaders living and working in regional or remote Australia with 5–10 years of experience in eligible artforms.

2. What activities are included in the scholarship?

Participation in Artlands, the TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program, and a tailored mentoring program.

3. Is financial support available?

Yes. Travel support up to $2,500 and access/inclusion support up to $3,000 are available.

4. Can groups or organisations apply?

No. Only individual applicants are eligible.

5. What artforms are eligible?

First Nations Arts and Culture, Community Arts, Emerging/Experimental Arts, Multi-Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, Literature, or their intersections.

6. Are previous Creative Australia program participants eligible?

No. Individuals who participated in specified prior leadership programs (2022–26) are ineligible.

7. When are interviews held?

1–2 June 2026 for shortlisted applicants.

Conclusion

The Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship 2026 offers an immersive leadership experience for practising artists and arts workers in regional and remote Australia.

Through experiential learning, mentoring, national gatherings, and financial support for travel and access, the program develops leadership capacity, builds networks, and empowers participants to drive meaningful change in Australia’s arts and cultural sector.