Next Level Fellowships
Are you interested in taking your arts practice to the next level?
Next Level Fellowships are available to support young regional artists and arts workers to build skills so they can develop and sustain an arts career.
Applicants can apply for $8,000 to support creative activity and professional development for a period of one year. This program is open to applicants from regional and remote Western Australia aged between 18-26. Applicants can be an individual, or a small group of creative collaborators (e.g. a music band, dance group).
Is this you? Then, read ahead!
Image: Mana and Sita Bennett, both recipients of the Next Level Regional Grant in 2020. Photo by Mana Bennett
Who can apply?
Use the below checklist to see whether you are eligible to apply:
- I/we am an independent artist, arts worker, cultural worker, producer
- I/we am aged between 18-26
- I/we have been based in regional WA* for at least 12 months prior to application
- I/we have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in regional WA**
Clarification on “regional” can be found here and if you would like to check your ABN status click here. If you have said yes to all of the above criteria, you can apply for the Next Level Fellowships.
Regional Arts WA is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from those who are First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTQIA+ and people with disability.
What can you apply for?
You can apply for a range of different activities! All art forms are eligible, including (but not limited to) visual arts, theatre, dance, writing, music, film, new media and cultural projects. Some examples of activities are:
- Collaborations
- Creation of new works
- Skills development
- Research
- Experimentation
- Professional development, mentoring and training
- Presentation, promotion and marketing
- Residencies.
- Travel
You can travel within WA, nationally and overseas during the project but are asked to spend most of your time in regional WA so the benefits of the grant are evident in the regions.
- Mentorships
To get the most out of your experience, you are encouraged to consider including a mentoring component in your project. Regional Arts WA can help you identify suitable mentors; contact us for more information.
- Equipment purchases (up to $1,000 per item)
The intention of this fund is not to support the purchase of equipment but you may apply for this if it is more financially viable to purchase rather than rent equipment.
- Group Applicants
We recognise that some artists prefer to create collectively, so for the first time, the Next Level Fellowship is available not only to individuals, but also to small groups (1-3 people) that regularly create together and intend to keep working together. For example, you might be a music band, or a writer/illustrator team. ‘
How do you apply?
Applications must be made in SmartyGrants. You will need to sign up for a free account, if you don’t already have one. Click the link below to get started on your application!
Apply Here
We recommend having a read through the guidelines and having a chat with Regional Arts WA Project Officer, Megan Lemon, to confirm your eligibility and discuss your project before you proceed with your application. Megan is a previous recipient of a Next Level Fellowship, so she knows the program well. Email mlemon@regionalartswa.org.au to schedule a chat.
Past recipients
Visit our recipients webpage to view a list of past recipients.
Useful links and downloads
- Next Level Regional Fellowship Guidelines [PDF]
- Glossary of Common Terms used in Arts Funding
- Look up your Region [Map]
- Sample Tax Invoice
- Artist Biography Template
- SmartyGrants portal
- Logos and acknowledgements (for successful applicants)
Hear from our Next Level alumni
In 2021, members of the Regional Arts WA team chatted to two young artists about their experiences as Next Level Fellowship recipients, what it’s like working in regional WA, and how they have taken their arts practice to the Next Level.
- Rita Bush, a 2017 alumni, discusses her experience working on her dance theatre project and the opportunities that have come since.
- Sita Bennett, a 2020 participant, talks about the application process and her current projects in writing and film.
You can see other chats we have facilitated in on our Regional Online Chats Archive.
Acknowledgements
Next Level Fellowships are part of the Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program, delivered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, with funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.