Art fellowships, internships and residencies

In recent years, Create NSW has provided dozens of fellowships, internships and residencies to support art and cultural workers across the state.

Create NSW is the NSW Government’s arts and cultural driver. We provide funding and support to the sector.

To search and apply for funding available under these programs visit Grants and funding finder

Fellowships

A fellowship is a program that

• supports NSW artists, practitioners and arts/cultural workers to undertake self-directed professional development programs or
• provides significant opportunities to support their personal, creative and career advancement.

“I feel that as a conductor you can only truly learn how to lead whilst in front of a live ensemble, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to work with the talented musicians of the Sydney Youth Orchestras."

Aija Draguns, 2022 recipient Conductor (Early Career) Fellowship

Examples of fellowships

• NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) with Artspace: This fellowship supports an emerging visual artist to undertake a self-directed program of professional development. This may include research, travel, mentorships, residencies, or skills development. The fellowship also includes an exhibition opportunity at Artspace.
• Create NSW Generations Fellowship: This fellowship supports an early-career music artist or group from Western Sydney to undertake a self-directed program of professional development. The Fellowship connects artists with established industry leaders and mentors, providing $25,000 financial support, in-kind support of $15,000 in the form of studio space and industry mentoring during a 6-month residency.
• NSW First Nations Creative Fellowship with the State Library of NSW: This provides an opportunity for a NSW First Nations artist, knowledge holder or creative practitioner to undertake creative research. This research will work towards a presentation outcome at the State Library of NSW.
• NSW Design (Early Career) Fellowship – Powerhouse Residency is a program that helps three early career designers or makers to carry out six months of professional development. 

Applying for fellowships

For details of new and recent fellowship opportunities visit the Grants and funding finder

Also see More information below.

Internships

An internship provides customised training followed by paid internships in major NSW organisations across the arts, screen and cultural sectors.

Createability internship for people with disability

The Createability Internship Program is a partnership between Create NSW and Accessible Arts and a range of NSW-based arts, screen and cultural organisations. It's aimed at developing strong career pathways for people with disability or who are d/Deaf.

The program provides customised training for up to 10 participants with disability or who are d/Deaf. This training is followed by paid internships in major NSW organisations across the arts, screen and cultural sectors.

The internships cover a variety of creative and technical areas in the screen and cultural sectors. This may include marketing, curating, production, front of house, arts administration, public programs, art department, camera and sound, writing, producing, animation and visual effects, and editing.

The purpose of the Createability Internship Program is to:

• create opportunities for people with disability or who are d/Deaf to access meaningful employment in the arts, screen and cultural sectors
• increase the representation and inclusion of people with disability or who are d/Deaf in the arts, screen and cultural sectors
• enhance the skills and confidence of people with disability or who are d/Deaf to pursue their creative careers
• foster a culture of accessibility and diversity in the arts, screen and cultural sectors
• showcase the talents and contributions of people with disability or who are d/Deaf to the wider community.

"...I have regained a sense of worth and self-esteem that I didn’t think I could ever get back. The whole experience has broadened my horizons immensely. Deciding to apply for the Createability program was the best decision I’ve made in years."

Kristi Archer, Createability intern.

See Createability Internships EOI 

Watch Createability Information Session - Recorded March 2024

More information

• Visit the Grants and funding finder
• Browse news and stories about fellowship and internship recipients
• About Create NSW funding
• Funding opportunities calendar
• Get funding and support
• Resource Hub