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  • Media release

Career defining support for 16 artists in record Creative Australia investment

Creative Australia has awarded 16 outstanding artists with 2025 Creative Australia Fellowships, representing a $1.28 million investment in Australian creativity.

Sep 23, 2025
Sukhdeep Bhogal (known as L-FRESH The LION)

Image: Sukhdeep Singh Bhogal (known as L-FRESH The LION) 2025 Fellowship recipient

The Fellowships provide $80,000 each to support established artists’ creative practice and professional development over two years, giving them the time and resources to take their work further.  

Executive Director of Arts Investment Alice Nash said: 

“These Fellowships support artists to grow their practice by allowing them time and resources to take their work to the next level.” 

This year marks the largest Fellowship investment round to date, supporting the greatest number of recipients, thanks to additional investment from First Nations Arts, Writing Australia and Music Australia. 

Celebrated artists Thelma Plum, Dan Sultan and Emily Wurramara are among the cohort, along with acclaimed hip-hop artist L-Fresh the Lion and singer-songwriter Lior. They’re joined by leading novelists Isobelle Carmody and Jennifer Mills, visual artist Robert Andrew and theatre-maker Samara Hersch. 

Director Writing Australia Wenona Byrne said: 

“As the first investment announced by the newly established Writing Australia, this Fellowship carries special significance. It reflects our commitment to investing in writing at the highest level, giving an established writer the rare and precious gift of time to write.” 

Director Music Australia Millie Milgate said: 

“From its very first meeting, the Music Australia Council determined that providing significant, career-shaping support to artists would be a priority. Our investment in six Fellowships in this round reflects that commitment, giving artists and creative practitioners the time and resources to grow their career and reach new audiences.” 

2025 Fellowship recipients: 

Lior Attar  

Robert Andrew 

Isobelle Carmody 

Samara Hersch 

Victoria Hunt 

L-FRESH The LION 

Ash McGregor 

Jennifer Mills 

Fiona Murphy 

April Phillips 

Thelma Plum 

Daen John Sansbury-Smith 

Maurial Spearim 

Dan Sultan 

Aseel Tayah 

Emily Wurramara 

Read more about the Fellowships on Creative Australia’s website


Media contact

Brianna Roberts, Senior Media Manager 

Creative Australia 

Mobile: 0498 123 541 

Email: brianna.roberts@creative.gov.au 

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We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations Peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions.

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We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.

We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways, and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions. We are privileged to gather on this Country and to share knowledge, culture and art, now and with future generations.

Art by Jordan Lovegrove