Twelve Australian artists have been announced as recipients of the 2017 Marten Bequest scholarships, worth a total of $600,000.

For more than 40 years the legacy of John Chisholm Marten has supported Australian artists to travel across the country and around the globe. Leveraging the Australia Council’s artistic and grant making experience, Perpetual is delighted to see all categories of the scholarship awarded in the one year. The 2017 scholarships will support a larger cohort of artists, with 12 recipients across 9 categories – each receiving $50,000 to develop their artistic practice and establish valuable networks.

Perpetual’s National Manager of Philanthropy, Caitriona Fay, said: “Philanthropy plays a vital role in ensuring Australia – and Australians – continue to contribute on a global scale in fields such as the arts, science and innovation. The vision of John Marten more than 40 years ago is evidence of this, with his generosity providing countless Australian artists with a learning opportunity they might not have otherwise experienced.”

“We are delighted to support these impressive artists and look forward to seeing how this opportunity helps them develop professionally, and raises the profile of Australian arts internationally. Perpetual is pleased to be working with the Australia Council to deliver this investment in the arts, and we join them in congratulating the successful recipients.”

Mish Grigor (NSW): acting

Mish will embark on a series of one-on-one intensives with internationally renowned directors overseas; attend Kunstenfestivaldesarts in Belgium; and spend a month in residence at PACT in Sydney.

Nikhila Madabhushi (VIC): architecture

Nikhila will explore architecture as a rehabilitation tool in local and global community development responses; this includes post graduate study at RMIT University and field trips to Asia and South America.

Harrison Lee (NSW): ballet

Harrison’s scholarship will support ongoing study at the Royal Ballet School in London, UK, including tuition and boarding house fees.

Ross McHenry (SA) and Kathryn McKay (WA): instrumental

Ross will undertake a two-year program of professional development activities in Jazz performance and composition, including collaborations and residencies in North America, Canada and Berlin.

Kathryn will undertake the Professional Studies Certificate Program at the Manhattan School of Music in the studio of American String Quartet violist, Daniel Avshalomov.

Sam Holt (NSW): painting

Sam will establish a studio practice in Berlin; reconnect with his Berlin-based tutor Valerie Favre; and undertake research trips to Japan and India.

Caitlin Maling (WA): poetry

Caitlin will explore and further her eco-critical practice through residencies and research in various Australian regions as well as Taleggio Valley in Italy.

Rebecca Slater (NSW) and Scott McCulloch (VIC): prose

Rebecca will travel to and research locations in the creation of two major works of fiction: a collection of short fiction exploring Australia’s complex relationship with the sea and a work of long-form fiction.

Scott’s project is a novel set within the post-Soviet space, particularly in Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia. The scholarship would allow him to travel to Kyiv and Tbilisi to continue his research.

Marian Tubbs (NSW): sculpture

Marian will complete a residency at Mudhouse, Crete and will travel to documenta 14 in Athens and to New York to commence a mentorship. Marian will develop digital sculpture skills in ecologically considered 3D printing to create hybrid objects between the hand-sculpted and the technological.

Elizabeth Lewis (QLD) and Alasdair Kent (WA): singing

Elizabeth will complete lessons and coaching with operatic experts in New York and Chicago. Coaches include Julia Faulkner, Eric Weimer, Carradina Caporello and Maestro Steven Crawford.

Alasdair will undertake study and professional development in the USA and Europe. This includes advanced study tailored specifically to coaching and role preparation with mentors such as Maestro Richard Bonynge and Audrey Saint-Gil.

About the Australia Council

The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government’s principal arts funding and advisory body. The Council has a commitment to co-investment which builds on successful collaborations and external partnerships to support diversity and excellence in the arts.

The Marten Bequest scholarships have been managed by the Australia Council for the first time in 2017 as part of a recently announced partnership with Perpetual. This partnership draws upon the Australia Council’s 50 years of experience delivering arts funding, and will complement Perpetual’s Philanthropic Services business, one of Australia’s largest managers and distributors of philanthropic funds.

About Perpetual Philanthropic Services

Perpetual is one of Australia’s largest managers and distributors of philanthropic funds with $2.4 billion in funds under advice (as at 30 June 2016). Perpetual is trustee for more than 1,000 charitable trusts and endowments and provides individuals and families with advice on establishing charitable foundations and structured giving programs. Perpetual also assists charities and not-for-profit organisations with investment advice and management.