Australia Council Awards 2022

About the Awards

The Australia Council Awards acknowledge the contribution that Australian artists have made to the creative arts and cultural life of the nation.

These prestigious national awards recognise outstanding and sustained contributions by Australian artists in music, literature, community arts and cultural development (CACD), emerging and experimental arts (EEA), visual arts, theatre, and dance. They are awarded by the Board of the Australia Council, informed by key industry advisors.

The Australia Council will announce the Awards to distinguished Australian artists early in 2022.

Past recipients include some of our most eminent artists. The 2021 Australia Council Award recipients are:

Australia Council Award for Dance acknowledges the achievements of an artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to Australian dance. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

Australia Council Award for Emerging and Experimental Arts acknowledges the achievements of an artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the practice of emerging and experimental art. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature acknowledges the achievements of an eminent writer of prose or poetry, including works for children, who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to Australian literature. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

Australia Council Don Banks Music Award is named in honour of Don Banks, a composer, performer and the first Chair of the Music Board. The Award acknowledges the achievements of a distinguished artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to music in Australia. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

Australia Council Award for Visual Arts acknowledges the achievements of an artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to Australian visual art. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

Australia Council Award for Theatre acknowledges the achievements of an artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to Australian theatre. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

Australia Council Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development recognises a young artist or arts worker (aged 30 years or under at the time of nomination) demonstrating outstanding leadership in community arts and cultural development (CACD). The award was established in honour of Kirk Robson who tragically died in a car crash in 2005. Kirk received the Council’s Young and Emerging Artists Initiative and was the Artistic Director of The Torch Project. The recipient of this award will receive $10,000.

Australia Council Ros Bower Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development is named in honour of Ros Bower, a journalist, television producer, community arts pioneer and founding Director of Council’s first Community Arts Board. The Award acknowledges the achievements of an artist or arts worker who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to community arts and cultural development. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.

The nominee must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, and a practising artist or arts professional.

Nominations must be made by someone other than the nominee.

Nominators must complete an online nomination form using our Application Management System.

You may nominate more than one artist. However, each nomination has to be submitted as a separate form.

Nominations must be made by someone other than the nominee.

You must submit a CV / extended bio for the nominee (approx. 2 x A4 pages, or a link to a CV / bio on the nominee’s website).

You may submit up to two letters or statements of support (approx. 2 x A4 pages, or up to 5 minutes of audio / video).

Types of support material we accept

Our preferred method of receiving support material is via URLs (weblinks).

You can provide up to two URLs that link to content that is relevant to your nomination.

Please note:

  • Do not supply any URLs that require users to log in or sign up to a platform.
  • Do not provide links to applications that require users to log in or pay for access.

If you are linking to media files that are private or password protected, please provide the password in the password field on the nomination form.

Other accepted file formats

If you cannot supply support material via URLs, you may upload support material to your nomination in other formats, for example:

  • video (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media)
  • audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
  • images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
  • written material (Word and PDF).

We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post. Application-related material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online, or need advice on what type of material to submit, please contact Artists Services.

Download accessible version
Arts awards

Key dates

Nominations close: Tuesday 26 October 2021 (3pm AEDT)

The 3pm AEDT closing time falls within business hours. This allows Artists Services staff to troubleshoot any issues and support applicants as the deadline approaches.


For any enquiries please contact Artists Services.

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National Arts and Disability Awards

About the awards

The Creative Australia National Arts and Disability Awards celebrate the work and achievements of d/Deaf artists and artists with disability. The Awards acknowledge the contribution these artists have made to the creative arts and cultural life of the nation.

Award categories

  • The National Arts and Disability Award (Established) celebrates the achievements of an established Australian artist whose outstanding and sustained contribution to their chosen field of arts practice over many years has been recognised nationally or internationally. The recipient of this award will receive $50,000.
  • The National Arts and Disability Award (Early Career) recognises an Australian artist early in their practice who has made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field of practice. The recipients of this award will receive $20,000.

We will offer a second Early Career Award in 2024, with thanks to Creative Australia and its employees through the Workplace Giving program.

The Awards are decided by the Australia Council (the governing Board of Creative Australia), informed by key industry advisors.

The nominee must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, and a practising artist.

Past recipients of the Creative Australia Awards or National Indigenous Arts Awards are eligible to be nominated for the National Arts and Disability Awards.

Nominations must be made by someone other than the nominee.

Nominators must complete an online nomination form using our Application Management System. You must register an account if you do not already have one. It may take up to two business days for us to process your registration.

You may nominate more than one artist. However, each nomination must be submitted on a separate nomination form.

Once you have logged in:

  1. Select ‘Submit a Nomination’ from the left panel menu.
  2. Under ‘Awards’ select ‘Start a new award nomination’.
  3. Ensure you select the correct award from the list of options.
  4. Complete the fields and select answers using the dropdown menus.
  5. Upload any necessary support material.
  6. Select ‘Save’ once complete.
  7. If you are not ready to submit your nomination you can return to it through ‘Your Draft Applications’ in the left panel menu.
  8. When you are ready to submit your nomination, select ‘Submit’.

 

You must submit a CV or extended bio for the nominee (approx. 2 x A4 pages, or a link to a CV or bio on the nominee’s website).

You may submit up to two letters or statements of support (approx. 2 x A4 pages, or up to 5 minutes of audio / video).

Types of support material we accept

Our preferred method of receiving support material is via URLs (weblinks).

You can provide up to two URLs that link to content that is relevant to your nomination.

Please note:

  • Do not supply any URLs that require users to log in or sign up to a platform.
  • Do not provide links to applications that require users to log in or pay for access.
  • If you are linking to media files that are private or password protected, please provide the password in the password field on the nomination form.

Other accepted file formats

If you cannot supply support material via URLs, you may upload support material to your nomination in other formats, for example:

  • video (MP4 and Windows Media)
  • audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
  • images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
  • written material (Word and PDF).

We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post unless you have contacted us in advance to discuss your access needs. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online, or need advice on what type of material to submit, please contact Artists Services.

Contact Artists Services:

  • with any questions about this Award
  • to submit a nomination in a different format, or in a language other than English
  • to make arrangements for a conference call, or to use an Auslan interpreter service
  • if you have any other access or support needs.

 

    • Julia Hales is an actress, writer and creative theatre maker with Down syndrome living in Perth. In 2015, she participated in the Australia Council’s Sync Leadership Program. In 2017, she secured project funding for FINDING LOVE, exploring love’s meaning for her and other people with Down syndrome. This project led to the production You Know We Belong Together.Co-commissioned by Perth Festival, Black Swan State Theatre Company and DADAA, it premiered at the Perth Festival in 2018, later remounted by Black Swan in 2019. The production’s success extended globally, with presentations at the London’s South Bank Centre, the Edinburgh International Festival, and Sydney Opera House in 2022.

      As a passionate advocate and leader in the arts, Julia wants to share as many disabled voices with the world as possible. “I want audiences to hear people with disability and what they want, to really listen to their life experiences.” Watch her recipient video here, and read more about her journey as a professional artist here.

 

  • Solomon Kammer (she/they) (b. 1991, Australia) is a Tarndanya/Adelaide-based artist who works predominantly in painting. Kammer draws on her own experiences of chronic illness, medical science and gender biases to expose the prejudices, challenges and abuses faced by many women and gender minorities today.While Kammer’s work is intensely personal, it also speaks to broader experiences of emotional and bodily mistreatment. The bold and confronting compositions Kammer creates speak to underrepresented communities: people living with disability, illness and trauma.

    Kammer is a self-taught artist, with no formal training, tertiary education or mentorship. Kammer has been a finalist for numerous awards including the prestigious Archibald Prize, Ramsay Prize, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award, Mosman Art Prize and has won the People’s Choice category in multiple prizes.

    Kammer’s works have been included in notable art fairs, such as Art Basel Hong Kong OVR, Asia Now Paris and Sydney Contemporary Australia. Currently represented by Yavuz Gallery, she presented her debut international solo exhibition with the Singapore gallery in October of 2022.Kammer’s commitment to disability rights goes beyond her artistic practice. The artist dedicates her time to raising awareness and challenging the stigma surrounding illness.

    For several years, Kammer served as a champion for endometriosis awareness in collaboration with Endometriosis Australia. She continues to advocate for medical patient rights, safety, and inclusivity by voluntarily conducting formal peer reviews on research manuscripts for the Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, screening them for bias, prejudice and contributing a perspective of lived experience.

Join us in congratulating the awards recipients:

  • Melbourne-based performance artist Roya A (who performs as ‘Roya the Destroya’) was the recipient of the award for an Established Artist. Roya is internationally acclaimed for her work spanning physical theatre, circus and dance. Find out more.
  • Madeleine Little, a Brisbane-based actor, theatre and festival director received the award for an Early Career artist, recognising her work as an artist, advocate and mentor for artists with disability. Find out more.
  • The 2022 Arts Access Australia National Leadership Award was awarded to Rafeif Ismail, an award winning emerging multilingual writer based in WA. Find out more.

YouTube

YouTube Video UEw2aXhkaWdBSEFKVmRYREpQRGRTQ2tPbmk4SFJ6MC11VS4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5 Please join us in recognising Australian artists and arts workers who have made an outstanding contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the nation, at the third annual National Arts and Disability Awards. To learn more about the recipients, please visit https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/national-arts-and-disability-awards/
National Arts and Disability Awards 2022
December 2, 2022 9:47 am
Please join us in recognising Australian artists and arts workers who have made an outstanding contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the nation, at the third annual National Arts and Disability Awards. To learn more about the recipients, please visit https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/national-arts-and-disability-awards/
YouTube Video UEw2aXhkaWdBSEFKVmRYREpQRGRTQ2tPbmk4SFJ6MC11VS4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

National Arts and Disability Awards 2022

Madeleine Little is a passionate theatre-maker who is currently researching accessible theatre practice at the University of Southern Queensland. Madeleine recently adopted the motto “Disabled-led is the way ahead” when her master’s research revealed that d/Deaf or disabled leaders create the most supportive and beneficial environment in which d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers can create and develop their practice. Listen to the audio described version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVvXlm8V7V8 Learn more: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/news/biographies/maddie-little/
YouTube Video UEw2aXhkaWdBSEFKVmRYREpQRGRTQ2tPbmk4SFJ6MC11VS4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

Maddie Little – recipient of the 2022 National Arts and Disability Award for Early Career Artist

roya the destroya is a strong believer that every day is an adventure. She is a passionate street performing artist who plays with her abilities to disrupt the stranger into a soulful and joyful exchange. Listen to the audio described version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3JH-_5J_8w Learn more: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/news/biographies/roya-the-destroya/
YouTube Video UEw2aXhkaWdBSEFKVmRYREpQRGRTQ2tPbmk4SFJ6MC11VS41MjE1MkI0OTQ2QzJGNzNG

roya the destroya – recipient of the 2022 National Arts and Disability Award for Established Artist

The Arts Access Australia (AAA) National Leadership Award is designed to discover, recognise and support new and emerging leaders in the arts and disability sector. The award provides $10,000 towards leadership development for the successful recipient. The award is presented annually at the National Arts and Disability Awards, which is co-presented by Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Access Australia. For more information visit our website: https://artsaccessaustralia.org/
YouTube Video UEw2aXhkaWdBSEFKVmRYREpQRGRTQ2tPbmk4SFJ6MC11VS4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Announcement of the 2022 AAA National Leadership Award | National Arts & Disability Awards

Eliza Hull: Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award, made possible through the support of the Feilman Foundation

Georgia Scott: Australia Council for the Arts National Arts and Disability Award for a Young Artist

Timothy Cook: Australia Council for the Arts National Arts and Disability Award for an Established Artist

Watch the full event below:

  • Emily Crockford, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Emerging Artist)
  • Gaelle Mellis, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Established Artist)
  • Abbie Madden, Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award
  • Dion Beasly, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Emerging Artist)
  • Janice Florence, Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award (Established Artist)
  • Madeleine Little, Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award
Arts and disability

Key dates

Nominations closed

Are you registering to use our Application Management System for the first time? Make sure you register well before the closing date. It can take up to two business days to process your registration.


Apply now

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First Nations Emerging Career Development Award

$10,000 supporting two First Nations artists or arts workers between 18-30 to pursue their professional development.

About the First Nations Emerging Career Development Award

This award was established in 2019 through the generous contributions of Creative Australia’s Workplace Giving scheme.

Two awards of $10,000 are given to First Nations artists or arts workers between 18 and 30 years old to fund their professional development. This multi-artform opportunity is available to artists practicing in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts.

The successful applicants will be announced at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards on Monday May 27, 2024.

If you need advice about applying, contact an Artists Services Officer.

About the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards

The First Nations Arts and Culture Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of First Nations artists and arts workers. On the evening of Monday 27 May 2024, the following awards will be presented:

Who can apply

  • Only First Nations artists or arts workers may apply
  • You must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years.

Who can’t apply

You can’t apply for this grant if:

  • you received a grant from Creative Australia in the past and that grant has not been satisfactorily acquitted
  • you owe money to Creative Australia
  • you are an organisation.

What you can apply for

You can apply for:

  • study/course expenses
  • masterclass/workshops
  • travel and accommodation
  • materials
  • living expenses
  • conference attendance.

Supported activities must last no longer than one year from your proposed start date.

Applications will be assessed by Creative Australia’s First Nations Arts and Culture Strategy Panel against the assessment criteria below.

Assessment criteria

Under each criterion are bullet points indicating what the First Nations Arts and Culture Strategy Panel members may consider when assessing your application.  You do not need to respond to every bullet point listed.

  1. Potential of the artist or arts worker

The panel may consider:

  • the quality of your previous work
  • public or peer responses to your work
  • demonstrated ability, skills and creative thinking.
  1. Viability

The panel may consider:

  • evidence that the Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts have been adhered to, including consultation and engagement with First Nations elders, collaborators and communities
  • the skills and roles of partners or collaborators, including confirmation of involvement
  • realistic and achievable planning and resource use
  • relevance and timeliness of the proposed activity.
  1. Impact on career

The panel may consider:

  • how your activity will extend your arts practice, skills, abilities and networks
  • how your activity will help you to discover and develop new markets, or meet existing market demand
  • whether you have demonstrated that there is a clear need for this activity.

The application form will ask you to provide:

  • a title for your activity
  • a summary of your activity
  • an explanation of how the activity will benefit your career
  • a detailed description of your activity
  • a timetable of activities
  • a budget containing details of the expenses, income and in-kind support for your activity, including any access and support costs
  • support material relevant to your activity. This may include examples of your previous work, bios of additional people involved, and letters of support from collaborators or communities.

You should submit support material with your application. The panel may review this support material to help them gain a better sense of your project.

We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post. Application-related material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online, or need advice on what type of material to submit, please contact Artists Services.

There are three types of support material you may submit:

  1. Artistic support material

This should include relevant, recent examples of your artistic or cultural work.

  1.  Biographies and CVs

You can include a brief bio or curriculum vitae (CV) for key artists, personnel or other collaborators involved in your project. Brief bios or CV information should be presented as a single document no longer than two A4 pages in total.

  1.  Letters of support

Individuals, groups or organisations can write letters in support of your project. A support letter should explain how the project or activity will benefit you, other artists or arts professionals, participants or the broader community.  If relevant to your activity, letters of support may also provide evidence of appropriate cultural protocols, permissions or outline the support of key project partners. You can include up to five letters of support, with each letter not exceeding one A4 page.

What is the best way to provide support material?

Our preferred method of receiving support material is via URLs (weblinks). You can provide up to three URLs (weblinks) that link to content that is relevant to your proposal. This may include video, audio, images, or written material. These URLs can include a total of:

  • 10 minutes of video and/or audio recording
  • 10 images
  • 10 pages of written material (for example, excerpts of literary writing).

Please note: Our panel will not access any URLs that require them to log in or sign up to a platform. Please do not provide links to Spotify or other applications that require users to log in or pay for access. If you are linking to media files that are private or password protected, like Vimeo, please provide the password in the password field below.

Other accepted file formats

If you cannot supply support material via URLs, you may upload support material to your application in the following formats:

  • Video (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media)
  • Audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
  • Images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
  • Written material (Word and PDF).

Key dates

Amount: 2 awards of $10,000 each

Applications closed

Notifications: December 2023

Please note: To apply you must be registered in our application management system a minimum of two business days prior to the closing date. 

Contact

To discuss your application, please contact:

Robbie Miller
Project Manager
First Nations Arts and Culture
Phone: +61 2 9215 9157
Email: robbie.miller@creative.gov.au

If you need help with your application, please call or email us.

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