Please note: to apply you must be registered in our application management system a minimum of two business days prior to the closing date
Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship
Key dates
Applications open:
Tuesday 3 February 2026
Applications close:
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 3pm AEDT
Contact
To contact the Capability Development team, please email or book a time to chat.
General enquiries
If you need help with the Application Management System or have general enquires, please call or email us.
Please note: 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.
About the program
Creative Australia is working with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) and Regional Arts Australia to offer 8 scholarship and mentoring packages for emerging arts and cultural leaders with at least 5 and no more than 10 years’ experience who live and work in regional or remote Australia. The scholarship and mentoring package will take place from August 2026 to June 2027 and includes:
- participating in Artlands, Regional Arts Australia’s 3-day gathering on the Sunshine Coast, QLD from 23-25 September 2026.
- participating in the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program (7-days) in early March 2027.
- a tailored mentoring program with support from Regional Arts Australia.
This scholarship supports you to connect with diverse networks and perspectives, grow your personal leadership capability and contribute your voice to conversations about the future of regional Australia.
Artlands
Part symposium, part think tank and part workshop, Artlands 2026 will bring together artists, cultural workers, facilitators, thinkers and collaborators from across regional Australia for three days of deep listening, bold ideas and collective imagining.
As one of the selected participants at this curated gathering you will connect with presenters and facilitators to explore innovative ways of thinking, working and partnering that can unlock ambition in regional Australia and support sustainable creative practice.
Read more about Artlands on Regional Arts Australia’s website.
TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program
The TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program supports a cohort of approximately 20 diverse individuals from a wide range of occupations and backgrounds living in regional and remote Australia, who are committed to addressing the challenges faced by their local communities. You will gain an understanding of the fundamental practices for collaborative and adaptive leadership through an experiential and challenge-based approach to learning.
Delivered face-to-face over seven days, the program includes five days in an outdoor camping setting and two days in a residential location in and around Canberra. Throughout the program, you will:
- explore key leadership areas, including ethics, values, social responsibility, negotiation, communication, reflection and critical thinking
- develop strategies to address complex situations
- deconstruct and challenge assumptions through exposure to topical issues in regional and remote Australia
- undertake a psychometric assessment to deepen understanding of yourself and others
- build lifelong peer networks to support future collaboration and leadership journeys.
Mentoring
To support you to grow and develop your leadership and changemaking ideas, you’ll participate in a customised mentoring program with Regional Arts Australia and the other scholarship participants. This will include group sessions and being individually matched with a mentor who can support your personal leadership and ideas for change.
Creative Australia will cover the costs of the Artlands conference ticket, mentoring program with Regional Arts Australia, and program fee for the TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program.
Scholarship recipients will need to cover the cost of travel to and from in-person activities in the Sunshine Coast, QLD for Artlands, and to Canberra for the TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program.
See ‘Travel Support’ for more information on available support.
Image provided by Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
About the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is a for-purpose organisation working principally in rural, regional and remote communities across Australia through the development of leadership. Operating since 1992, ARLF have delivered over 150 leadership programs, and have over 3000 alumni in their network.
About Regional Arts Australia
Regional Arts Australia (RAA) is a not-for-profit arts organisation dedicated to unlocking cultural and creative ambition across the vast landscapes and communities of regional, rural and remote Australia. For more than 80 years, RAA has been a trusted national voice for regional arts - creating opportunities, establishing powerful partnership networks, and advocating for and delivering program funding that brings diverse creative initiatives to life across the country.
Information sessions
General information session
You can view our general information session about applying for our Leadership Scholarship opportunities below. The session is Auslan interpreted and has closed captions.
Creative Australia's Leadership Scholarship opportunities
Watch it on YouTube here.
Question and Answer webinar
We will also host a Question and Answer webinar about the Emerging Regional Arts Leaders Scholarship where you can hear from past participants and ask questions.
This session will be Auslan interpreted and live captioned. A recording of the session will be posted here after the event.
Application writing workshop
Australian Rural Leadership Foundation will host an online application writing workshop to support you in applying for this scholarship.
The session will guide you on how to craft a strong scholarship application, offering practical tips on how to clearly communicate strengths, leadership experience and aspirations, and potential impact within the creative sector.
Question and Answer webinar
Wednesday 25 February 2026, 2-3pm AEDT: Register here
Application writing workshop
Tuesday 3 March 2026, 1pm-2pm AEDT: Register here
Application process
Eligibility
Who can apply
This opportunity is only open to:
- individuals living and working in regional and/or remote Australia
- Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents
- practising artists or arts workers with at least 5-years and no more than 10-years of experience in the arts and cultural sector
- applicants primarily working in First Nations Arts and Culture, Community Arts and Cultural Development, Emerging and Experimental Arts, Multi-Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts or Literature and the intersections of these artforms
- applicants who are available to attend all of the program’s activities.
Who can’t apply
You cannot apply if you:
- are under 18
- are a group or an organisation
- work primarily in film, fashion, graphic design, screen, gaming or architecture
- participated in the Arts Leaders or Future Leaders Programs in 2022-23 or Creative Leadership Program in 2024-25 or the SEC Newgate Mentoring and Stakeholder Engagement Program in 2025-26
- received a grant from Creative Australia that has not been satisfactorily acquitted
- owe money to Creative Australia.
You can only submit one application for one scholarship. We will not accept applications for multiple Leadership Scholarships from the same applicant. See ‘What are the other Leadership Scholarships?’ for the full list of Leadership Scholarships.
Assessment
Stage 1: Assessment
A panel of industry advisers and Creative Australia staff will assess applications against the assessment criteria listed below and advise Creative Australia on which applications to prioritise.
An internal moderation process will then be conducted by Creative Australia staff to ensure alignment to the aims of the program and determine which applications will proceed to interview stage.
Stage 2: Interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be notified in the week commencing 18 May 2026. If you are shortlisted, interviews will be held on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 June 2026.
Interviews will be hosted by Creative Australia staff with a panel including an industry adviser and a representative from the program provider. Interviews will be 30 minutes and assessed against the assessment criteria and any relevant requirements for participation in the scholarship.
Assessment Criteria
You must address two assessment criteria in your application.
Under each criterion are bullet points indicating what industry advisers may consider when reviewing your application. You do not need to respond to every bullet point.
The selection criteria are:
- Viability — the viability of your application, including the connection between your experience, aspirations and interests and the scholarship program available.
- Impact — the expected impact of investing in your leadership development and vision for change.
Viability
The assessors will evaluate the viability of your application, including the connection between your experience, aspirations and interests and the scholarship program available.
They may consider:
- your leadership experience and potential
- the timeliness of your participation in the scholarship program
- your capacity and motivation to commit to the scholarship program and the opportunities it presents
- how your leadership development goals relate to the learning and development experience offered in the scholarship program
- your capacity to participate in and contribute to the scholarship program’s approach and model
- whether the scholarship program will support you to make progress on your aspirations for change in Australia’s arts and culture sector.
Impact
The assessors will evaluate the expected impact of investing in your leadership development and vision for change.
They may consider:
- how the scholarship program will develop your career and capacity to make change
- your vision for change in Australia’s arts and culture sector and how this scholarship program will help you pursue that
- how you will implement what you learn in the scholarship program for the benefit of the Australian arts and culture sector
- whether the scholarship will help you to make progress on challenges faced in the Australian arts and culture sector
- how participation will support you to contribute to an arts and cultural sector that is accessible, inclusive and equitable.
Travel support
If you think you will face barriers to covering the full cost of attending in-person activities associated with your chosen scholarship program, you can apply for funding to support you. Up to $2500 is available to support your participation in this scholarship program.
You may experience barriers to covering the full cost of attending in-person program activities for different reasons, including:
- being under-employed, unwaged or on a low income
- being based in a regional or remote area.
You can request funding to cover the costs of:
- flights
- ground transport
- accommodation.
We cannot support requests for wages, per diems or stipends.
In your application, we will ask you to tell us how much funding you require, what you will spend the funding on, and how this will support you to participate in the scholarship program.
We will assess your request based on the impact the funding will have on reducing barriers to participating in the scholarship program. Funding for travel support is limited and may not be available to all successful applicants.
If you apply for travel support, we will notify you about the outcome of your request at the same time as we advise you if your scholarship application has been successful.
We strongly encourage you to consider other sources of financial support for your participation in the scholarship. Where possible you may consider seeking support from your employer. You can find a list of other funding sources here.
Access and inclusion
We can provide up to $3,000 as a contribution towards access costs so that you can participate in the scholarship program. In your application we will ask you to tell us how much funding you require and what you will spend the funding on.
If you apply for support for access costs, we will notify you about the outcome of your request at the same time as we advise you if your scholarship application has been successful.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your access needs via leadershipprogram@creative.gov.au or you can find a time to chat via our online booking portal.
If you need help to speak or listen, use the National Relay Service.
Applications
Submitting an application
Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of this page to go to Fluxx, our system for managing applications.
You will need an account to use Fluxx. It can take up to 2 business days for a new account to be approved. If you have an account already you can log in.
Select ‘Apply for a Grant’ from the left panel menu. From the list of opportunities select ‘Leadership Scholarships’.
The application form will require you to fill in some of your details, select from some options, respond to questions and submit support material.
You will need to respond to the following questions:
- Introduce yourself and tell us how you practise leadership.
- Why do you want to participate in this program and why now?
- Tell us about a time you have dealt with discomfort and uncertainty as a leader. What happened, what did you do, and what did you learn?
- What do you want to change in Australia’s arts and cultural sector? What do you think your role in that change could be?
You can provide a video response of up to 4 minutes to answer the question “Introduce yourself and tell us how you practice leadership’. This is optional. See Support Material for information on how to submit a video response.
In the application form we will ask you if you want to request support for travel costs and access costs. See ‘Travel Support’ and ‘Access and Inclusion’ for more information.
Support material
CV
You must submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) with your application as a file (Word or PDF document) or as a URL (weblink). We will review your CV to check your eligibility and understand the impact of the scholarship on your capability development. We strongly recommend that you make the information in your CV relevant and targeted to this opportunity. Applications that do not include a CV will be considered incomplete and will not be assessed.
Video response
You can provide your response to the question “Introduce yourself and tell us how you practise leadership." as a video of up to 4 minutes. You can upload your video as a file (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media) or as a URL (weblink).
How to submit support material
You can submit support material as a file or as a URL (weblink). Creative Australia will not view any URLs that require log in or to sign up to a platform. Please do not provide links to applications or documents that require users to log in or pay for access. If you are linking to sites or files that are private or password protected, please provide the password in the password field on the application form.
We do not accept support material submitted via post. Support 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 the Capability Development team via leadershipprogram@creative.gov.au.
Learn more about support material via the Creative Australia website.
Successful applicants
Once all applications have been assessed, you will be contacted by email about the outcome of your application within 14 weeks of the closing date.
If you have been successful, an agreement will be attached to the Contracts section of your online account. This contract outlines the conditions of your participation in the scholarship. If we provide you with any funding as part of your scholarship the contract will also have details of the funds, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements. More details on managing successful applications can be found here.
If you are not successful, we cannot provide individual feedback. We will provide general feedback on the applications received on our website within 4 weeks of the notification date.
Frequently asked questions about this opportunity
Who is the program for?
This program is for artists and arts workers based in regional and remote Australia with at least 5-years and no more than 10-years of experience in the arts and culture sector, who want to grow their skills in advocacy, collaborative and adaptive leadership.
You may be interested in:
- meeting new people working in arts and culture across regional and remote Australia
- learning about yourself, what motivates you and how self-reflection is an important part of leadership
- getting outside with others
- challenge-based approaches to learning (i.e. problem-solving activities where you have to think on your feet and come up with quick solutions)
- working with a mentor to learn more about your areas of interest and how you can pursue your goals
- the importance of peer networks in building your career.
What do we define as regional and/or remote Australia?
We use the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia Plus (ARIA+) to define regional and remote Australia.
This opportunity is only available to those living in classes (2) Inner Regional Australia, (3) Outer Regional Australia, (4) Remote Australia and (5) Very Remote Australia (as defined by ARIA+).
If you would like to check your eligibility by locale, refer to Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) (2021) interactive online map.
Who will be participating?
We will support 8 participants in the scholarship and mentoring package.
You will attend Artlands with 100+ artists and arts workers from regional and remote Australia.
The TRAIL program will include approximately 20 participants from diverse professional backgrounds, including agriculture, science, business, policy, arts and culture from regional and remote locations across Australia.
Regional Arts Australia will help you to find a suitable mentor and work with them in group and one-on-one sessions.
When and where is the program?
The scholarship package will run from August 2026 to June 2027. You must be available for the following activities:
- Artlands from 23 to 25 September 2026 on the Sunshine Coast, QLD.
- TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program in early March 2027 (7-days). You will need to arrive the day before to ensure you are ready to commence the program early on the first day.
- group and individual mentoring sessions, online between August 2026 and June 2027 (up to 20 hours).
Exact dates for the program activities will be provided to applicants at the interview stage.
Is accommodation included in the program?
Accommodation is included for the TRAIL program and the Artlands conference on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. However, you may need to cover the costs of accommodation for any days before or after the scholarship program activities so that you can arrive and depart at suitable times.
See ‘Travel Support’ to find out about the support available for travel.
What does the outdoor component of the TRAIL program include?
The TRAIL program includes 5 nights of camping in a national park in Canberra. As a participant you will need to be able to carry approximately 20kg in a backpack and walk approximately 15km per day. You will also contribute to group activities like cooking and setting up tents. The remaining 2 days of the TRAIL program involves classroom-style learning with guest speakers and written and creative activities. The ARLF team of outdoor education experts and leadership facilitators will support and guide you through all these activities.
What is challenge-based learning?
The TRAIL program uses challenge-based and experiential learning. Their programs are intentionally designed to foster deep learning, resilience, and growth by including elements of challenge and uncertainty. These experiences are created with inclusivity in mind, ensuring a safe space to navigate discomfort. The uncertainty is deliberate—it mimics the unpredictable challenges leaders often face, helping you develop the skills to adapt and thrive in the face of the unknown.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring can be done in lots of different ways but usually involves one person sharing their experience, knowledge and unique perspectives with another person. You and your mentor will decide on the topics you would like to talk about, where and how often you will meet. Regional Arts Australia will match you with a mentor.
Where can I find out more?
If you have any questions about the Leadership Scholarships you can send an email to leadershipprogram@creative.gov.au or book in to talk to a Capability Development team member through our online booking portal.
Before you contact the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation or Regional Arts Australia with questions please ensure you have:
- read all the information on the Creative Australia, Regional Arts Australia and Australian Rural Leadership Foundation websites
- attended or watched the Creative Australia webinars about the scholarship program
- contacted the Capability Development team with your questions.
If we can’t answer your questions, we can put you in contact with Regional Arts Australia or the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation for more details about the specific activities they are offering.
What is the expected time commitment for the program?
This scholarship program requires at least 12 days of commitment across a range of activities including:
- attending Artlands, the Regional Arts Australia 3-day conference
- attending the 7-day TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program
- up to 20 hours of participation in the mentoring program with Regional Arts Australia and the mentor you are matched with.
You should ensure you are able to commit to getting the most out of these activities. This might include:
- reading the program for Artlands
- reading information on the ARLF info hub
- preparing for your mentoring sessions
- reflecting on your experiences in the program activities and thinking about how you will put your learning into practice.
You may not have phone or internet access for part of the TRAIL program. We strongly encourage you to discuss with your employer and family how you will manage any work or other commitments while you are attending the program.
Frequently asked questions about applying
What is your definition of a practising artist or arts worker?
We support practising artists or arts workers. While you may not regularly earn income from your practice, you must be identified and recognised by your peers as someone who makes or practises art or contributes as an arts worker in the arts and cultural sector in Australia. You might work independently or within an organisation. Arts workers may include cultural practitioners, editors, producers, curators, lighting and sound designers, arts executives, and arts managers.
I work in commercial parts of the sector – can I apply?
Yes. We welcome applications from artists and arts workers working in commercial parts of the sector, including but not limited to music, musicals, publishing, commercial visual arts, and commercial dance.
I work in screen, can I apply to this program?
While we can support artists and arts workers involved in making screen-based art, we do not support those whose primary and main practice is associated with short film, feature film, television, documentary, or electronic games.
Do I need to be available for all the activities and dates?
Yes. You must be available for all program activities to be eligible to apply. Please check the dates for your selected program carefully and consider how you will commit to being available for all the program activities.
Do I need to take leave from work or tell my employer I’m applying?
You may need to take leave from work so that you can participate in the scholarship. You should read the information on this page about the expected time commitment and any travel to attend in-person activities carefully. We strongly recommend you speak to your employer about the leave or time off you will need to prepare for and participate in scholarship program activities.
You may also want to speak to your employer about any support they can offer you for your travel costs to participate in the scholarship.
Do you accept applications in languages other than English?
Yes. More information is available on our website: Languages other than English.
How can I get assistance with my application?
The Capability Development team can assist over email leadershipprogram@creative.gov.au or you can find a time to chat via our online booking portal.
If you need help to speak or listen, please use the National Relay Service.
Our staff are available to assist you in understanding the purpose of the grant, application requirements and submitting your application. We cannot review application drafts.
Additional support can be discussed where needed. Where the additional support is beyond the scope of what staff can provide, we may recommend speaking to an appropriate organisation for further assistance.
Do I need to submit a budget?
No budget is required to apply for this opportunity.
Is there a program fee?
No, there is no program fee. Creative Australia will pay for your place in the program. However, you will need to cover the costs of travel for in-person activities as part of the program. See 'Travel Support’ for more information on the support available.
Do I need to cover my travel expenses (incl. domestic and international flights, transit, accommodation and daily expenses)?
Yes, you will need to arrange and pay for your own travel to and from the in-person activities. This includes flights, transit accommodation and ground transport to the in-person activity locations. This cost will vary depending on where you are travelling from and to. Most meals will be provided during in-person activities and you can check with the provider for more details if required.
See ‘Travel Support’ to find out about the support available for travel.
If I apply for support for the costs of travel, how much should I ask for?
Read the information about the scholarship you want to apply for carefully, and make sure you understand where and when the in-person program activities are held. You can then research the approximate costs of travel from your home location to the program activity location. Make sure you consider:
- when you need to arrive – for example, do you need to arrive a day early so you are ready for the program starting the next morning?
- how long you need to stay for
- whether accommodation is included for the in-person activities
- whether you need any transit accommodation.
You can then tell us your reasonable estimate of the costs associated with travel and accommodation.
Do I need an ABN to apply for a scholarship?
If you apply for funds to support travel or access costs as part of your participation in the scholarship we will pay this to you as a grant. You must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) to receive a grant from us. Individual applicants without an ABN may have their grant administered by an individual or organisation with an ABN.
The name of the applicant must match the name of the ABN and the name of the bank account we pay the grant into. If you cannot provide an ABN and bank account that are in the same name as the applicant, you will need to nominate an administrator for your grant.
For more information about this, please see our website or contact leadershipprogram@creative.gov.au.
Will receiving a grant affect my Centrelink payment?
Grants (or other funds received from Creative Australia) can be considered income by Centrelink. The amount is generally assessed as a lump sum and could affect your Centrelink payment for the financial year. Artists who are running a business (even on a small scale) may have their grant treated differently. It is possible to have your grant paid to an administering body if you wish.
Applicants should contact Centrelink on 13 28 50 for advice. Additionally, Centrelink’s Financial Information Service (FIS) is an education and information service available to everyone in the community and may be of benefit to applicants who also receive assistance through the social security system. To contact FIS call 13 23 00.
If I receive a grant, will my tax be affected?
Grants may be considered part of your income in a financial year and may be subject to tax. You must determine your own taxation liabilities. We suggest you consult your financial adviser or contact the Australian Taxation Office.
What is your definition of the arts and culture sector?
We accept applications from those who work primarily within the following art forms and arts practice areas: First Nations Arts and Culture, Community Arts and Cultural Development, Emerging and Experimental Arts, Multi-Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts and Literature. Read more about our definition of these art forms and arts practice areas here.
Can I submit my application in an accessible format?
Yes. You can submit your application in any way that is accessible to you via our online application management system. Formats may include Auslan, audio, video, printed, dictated, electronic and handwritten format. Contact the Capability Development team to discuss your needs well in advance of the closing date. You can send an email to leadershipprogram@creative.gov.au or you can find a time to chat via our online booking portal.
If you need help to speak or listen, please use the National Relay Service.
Will I need to submit an acquittal?
Yes. When you have completed your scholarship program, you must provide a grant report. The grant report is where you tell us about your scholarship activities, what the outcomes were and how any funding was spent. Please read your contract to check details of the acquittal material you should provide.
If you do not provide a satisfactory grant report, we will not make any further payments that may be due to you, and you will not be eligible to apply for further grants or opportunities. We may also ask you to pay back all or part of any funding provided to you.
We use grant reports to fulfil obligations of accountability to the Australian Government. They are also essential to the development work of Creative Australia. The reports help us evaluate the achievements of participants in our programs, monitor the effectiveness of our programs, and ensure our policy development is consistent with the experience of artists and arts workers in the field.
What are the other Leadership Scholarships?
The Leadership Scholarships that are open for application in this round are:
