Applications will open on the 1 July for the Macquarie Group First Nations Emerging Curator Award. The Award, part of a new partnership between the Macquarie Group Foundation and the Australia Council for the Arts, will provide work and development opportunities for a First Nations emerging visual arts curator.

The successful curator will receive $15,000 and the opportunity to:

• curate a new exhibition in 2018, mentored by the Macquarie Group Collection Director and Curatorial Consultant
• participate in professional development opportunities nationally and internationally with the Australia Council

Australia Council Chief Executive Tony Grybowski said the Council was delighted to partner with the Macquarie Group Foundation on an initiative which reflects a shared commitment to promoting First Nations arts and investing in emerging artists and arts professionals.

“This award provides an extraordinary range of opportunities for an early career curator to develop their practice and professional networks. The recipient will engage in deep artistic and cultural exchange while contributing to the international profile of Australia’s First Nations arts,” Mr Grybowski said.

“This year the Macquarie Group Collection celebrates 30 years of a continued focus on works by emerging Australian visual artists.  Supporting the First Nations Emerging Curator Award will help us to continue this focus and foster emerging Australian talent,” said Lisa George, Global Head, Macquarie Group Foundation.

The Australia Council’s partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation is part of a broader strategy to encourage arts investment from diverse sources and to leverage its unique position and expertise to benefit Australian artists and audiences.

Applications will open on 1 July until Sunday 30 July 2017, with the successful artists notified in August and announced in September. Eligibility and criteria for The Award can be found on the Australia Council’s website.