Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships provide unrestricted, tax-free grants over two years to individual Australian artists, creatives and cultural leaders.

First awarded in 2011, the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships provide unrestricted, $200,000 tax-free grants over two years to individual Australian artists, creatives and cultural leaders. Specific outcomes for the Fellowships are not required. 

In 2024, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust joined the Sidney Myer Fund in appointing Creative Fellows. The Trust awards two Ian Potter Creative Fellowships annually, with the same value, criteria and structure as the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships.

The two criteria used to select Fellows are: outstanding talent and exceptional courage. Specifically, this talent and courage relates to the creative practice of the Fellows and not to cases of personal hardship.

Nominations are welcome for artists, creators and cultural leaders across the entire spectrum of the arts and humanities. Applicants to the program may not self-nominate and must include two referees who are not the nominator. In 2025, eight Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships and two Ian Potter Creative Fellowships will be awarded.

Nominees must be early mid-career artists, creatives or cultural leaders. We define early mid-career as having reached at least seven years of practice. Those with established careers (generally over two decades' experience) are not eligible for Creative Fellowships.

Nominees must be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Australia.

Nominees must be primarily resident in Australia for the period of the Creative Fellowship.

Nominees cannot self-nominate, nor can they be nominated by a member of their family.

The Creative Fellowships are intended to support originating artists, creatives and cultural leaders. Arts and cultural workers whose practice is primarily in education or therapy (for example, music therapy) are not deemed eligible for this program.

• Phone: 03 8671 5555
• Email: admin@myerfoundation.org.au