Deadline: 13-May-2026
Applications are open for the Country Arts SA Breaking Ground Award, a major opportunity for regional South Australian artists to expand their creative practice and develop ambitious new work. The award offers $15,000 in total support, including $10,000 for artwork creation and $5,000 for mentorship, plus extensive exhibition and professional support leading to a solo exhibition at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery during the 2027 SALA Festival.
About the Breaking Ground Award
The Country Arts SA Breaking Ground Award is designed to help regional artists in South Australia take their creative practice into new and unexplored territory.
The award supports artists who want to:
- Push the boundaries of their work
- Experiment with new ideas or methods
- Grow professionally
- Develop an ambitious but achievable body of work
- Prepare for a significant solo exhibition outcome
It is open to artists at any career stage and across all mediums.
What the Award Supports
The selected artist will develop a body of work for a solo exhibition at:
- Murray Bridge Regional Gallery
The exhibition will take place during the:
- 2027 SALA Festival
This makes the award not just a funding opportunity, but a broader career development and exhibition pathway.
Funding Available
The award includes a total of $15,000 in direct financial support.
Financial support breakdown
- $10,000 for the creation of a body of work
- $5,000 for a mentorship opportunity
The mentorship funding allows the selected artist to work with a professional advisor of their choice.
Additional Support Provided
Beyond the cash award, the selected artist will also receive significant practical and professional support.
Additional benefits include:
- Curatorial guidance
- Exhibition production assistance
- Artwork freight
- Venue hire
- Catalogue production
- Professional photography
- Marketing and promotional support
This added support can be especially valuable because it reduces the cost and complexity of delivering a major exhibition.
Who Should Apply?
This award is ideal for artists who:
- Live in regional South Australia
- Want to experiment or shift direction in their practice
- Have a strong commitment to their professional development
- Are ready to produce work for a major solo exhibition
- Can propose a project that is ambitious but realistic within the budget and timeframe
What the Selection Panel Will Likely Look For
Applicants should clearly show:
- A strong and ongoing professional artistic practice
- A compelling idea that pushes their work into new territory
- Clear explanation of how the award will support growth and experimentation
- A proposal that is innovative but achievable
- Alignment between the project and the next stage of their career
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a resident of regional South Australia
- Meet the regional definition under the South Australian Country Arts Trust Act (1992)
- Be working in any medium
- Be at any stage of their career
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following are not eligible to apply:
- Students currently undertaking tertiary studies in a related field
- Country Arts SA staff
- Country Arts SA board members
- Their families or spouses
Why This Award Matters
This is a strong opportunity because it offers more than a simple grant.
It provides:
- Direct creative funding
- Paid mentorship
- A clear solo exhibition outcome
- Professional production and curatorial support
- Strong public visibility through the SALA Festival
For regional artists, this can be a major step toward expanding profile, confidence, and professional momentum.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
To improve your chances:
- Present a clear artistic concept
- Show how the work represents a new direction or creative leap
- Explain why this is the right moment in your career for the project
- Demonstrate that the proposal is ambitious but deliverable
- Use the mentorship component strategically by identifying the type of advisor who would strengthen your work
- Show how the exhibition outcome will support your long-term artistic growth
FAQ
1. How much funding does the Breaking Ground Award provide?
The award offers:
- $10,000 for creation of a body of work
- $5,000 for mentorship
That is a total of $15,000 in direct support.
2. What is the final outcome of the award?
The selected artist will develop work for a solo exhibition at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery during the 2027 SALA Festival.
3. Who can apply?
Artists who are residents of regional South Australia, working in any medium, and at any career stage can apply.
4. Can students apply?
No. Students currently undertaking tertiary studies in a related field are not eligible.
5. Is this only a cash grant?
No. In addition to funding, the award also includes:
- Curatorial support
- Exhibition production assistance
- Freight
- Venue hire
- Catalogue production
- Photography
- Marketing and promotion
6. Does the artist choose the mentor?
Yes. The $5,000 mentorship allows the selected artist to collaborate with a professional advisor of their choice.
Final Takeaway
The Country Arts SA Breaking Ground Award 2026 is an excellent opportunity for regional South Australian artists who want to push their practice further and develop bold new work.
With $15,000 in direct support, a mentorship component, and a guaranteed solo exhibition at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery during the 2027 SALA Festival, the award is especially valuable for artists ready to take a meaningful next step in their professional journey.
For more information, visit Country Arts SA.
