Leadership Lab - Darwin registrations are now open.
Cost: Free
Date: Friday 26 June, 9am - 5pm
Location: Darwin City, NT. Brown's Mart.
Our new leadership program will support emerging artists, mid-career managers, established leaders, and board members across Australia with a $1 million investment in opportunities offered nationally in 2026. We will equip more artists, arts workers, and arts leaders with the skills and capabilities to navigate complexity, advance shared priorities, and meet contemporary and future challenges.
The new program now offers multiple pathways for professional growth. Opportunities are tailored to diverse learning and development needs, and relevant to local contexts. There will be open-access labs, scholarships to participate in industry-led programs, targeted workshops, and grants for governance training. Review the different program streams below to find out more:
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Find out about all upcoming Leadership Capabilities opportunities and news
Programs
Leadership scholarships
We’re collaborating with a range of education providers to support the participation of over 45 artists and arts workers in transformative leadership programs.
With a focus on:
- navigating complex systems
- models of adaptive and ethical leadership
- ethical decision-making,
- leading transformational change.
Scholarship programs range from 5-days to 10-months, use diverse learning methods and provide connection with cohorts from within and outside the arts and cultural sector.
Scholarship recipients will receive a fully funded place in their selected program and some opportunities will include additional development such as mentoring, peer connection, and attendance at relevant sector convenings. Support for travel expenses and access needs will be available on a limited basis to support equitable participation.
In 2026 we are offering 5 different scholarships. Applications closed for these scholarships on Tuesday 13 March 2026. Applications will open again in early 2027.
Governance capability
Strong governance leadership builds stronger organisations and a stronger sector. Through the Company Director Capability Funds (Individuals, Organisations) and new resources on our Governance Hub, we’re investing in the next generation of directors and board leaders.
Applications for the Company Director Capability Funds closed on 3 March. Sign up to Creative Australia's general e-news for updates on future opportunities.
Leadership Labs
Leadership Labs support artists and arts workers to connect and make progress on shared priorities through an in-person day of inspiration and action. Come along to feel inspired, gain new perspectives, add to your changemaking toolkit, and forge new connections. The complex intersecting challenges that the arts and cultural sector faces demand shared, collaborative, and connected approaches.
Creative Australia’s Leadership Labs will be open-access and free to attend. Support to attend the Labs will be available on a limited basis to enable equitable participation.
In 2026, we will host events in:
- Darwin on Friday 26 June, Registrations now open
- Adelaide on Thursday 24 September, and
- Sydney on Thursday 26 November.
Further details will be announced for each location soon. Sign up to our e-newsletter for updates.
Leadership workshops
From June 2026, Creative Australia will pilot a new series of workshops that support mid-career and established arts workers to hone specific leadership skills and mindsets.
Leadership workshops will be led by expert facilitators and responsive to local needs and priorities. These will be focused on mastery level soft skills supporting new mindsets and behaviours including:
- conflict resolution and transformation,
- leading diverse teams,
- advocacy and strategic communications,
- change management.
Support to attend the workshops will be available on a limited basis to enable equitable participation.
From June 2026, we will host workshops in:
- Australian Capital Territory,
- Queensland,
- Tasmania,
- Victoria, and
- Western Australia.
Dates, venues, and further details will be announced in 2026. Sign up to our e-newsletter for updates on open opportunities, upcoming events, and more.
Leadership Programs Alumni Network
We continue to offer leadership development opportunities to our Leadership Programs Alumni Network, supporting ongoing learning.
Opportunities will include scholarships into industry-led workshops, support to engage with leaders across industry through conferences and invitations to our Leadership Labs. Read more: Past leadership programs and alumni.
Strategic Investments
Complementing our scholarships and open access workshops, we are investing in a range of pilot development opportunities to support leadership capability needs across the sector.
In 2026, we are supporting:
- 12 executive leaders in Sydney’s performing arts sector through a customised leadership development workshop with Tenille Halliday + Partners.
- 17 mid-career and established leaders in Brisbane and surrounds through access to Veronica Pardo & Associates Culturally Safe Leadership and Conscious Leadership in Action workshop program
- 20 organisational leaders in WA through a new pilot: Systems Thinking Professional Development Course with AFOCAL.
- 15 mid-career leaders in NSW, SA and QLD through a national pilot of Diversity Arts Australia’s Shifting the Balance Leadership Program.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Arts Leaders, Future Leaders and Creative Leadership Program run again?
No, we will not be running these programs again. Our new investment in scholarships will replace these programs.
Why is capability development and leadership important to the sector?
The sector is currently navigating a range of complex, overlapping challenges, from the impacts of global conflict and instability to the growing urgency of environmental sustainability, and the pressures of rising costs of living. These are layered with ongoing shifts in funding, audience behaviours, and workforce conditions, creating an increasingly uncertain and demanding landscape for artists and organisations alike.
At Creative Australia, we see an important role in supporting capability development to help people respond to these challenges with confidence. This will be delivered through a suite of leadership development opportunities designed to build capability across the arts and cultural sector.
When can I apply for the scholarships?
Applications for the scholarship opportunities will open on 3 February 2026 and close on 17 March 2026.
Read more: Find investments & opportunities .
How can I get more information about the new leadership capability initiatives?
Make sure you sign up to hear more about the new leadership capability program.
Read more about the Leadership Scholarships and Company Director Capability Funds here: Find investments & opportunities
