Stories From the Studio: Axel Wellings

This week STA were excited to visit Axel Wellings, a Wiradjuri singer-songwriter, musician and performer from Goulburn. We met with Axel at the Hume Conservatorium where he has been a student for many years. 

STA are delighted to share the news that Axel is one of eight recipients for the 2026 National Regional Arts Fellowship.

Already well known locally for his music and acting, the fellowship will support Alex to develop his career in music and refine his craft through advanced training in composition, songwriting and vocal performance with industry mentors.

Axel draws inspirations from life, relationships, community and experiences growing up in Golburn Mulwaree. Goulburn being a big regional centre for music. 

Axel’s songwriting explores identity, belonging, connection and resilience, shaped by his Aboriginal heritage and cultural identity. Axel has been performing since primary school, building experience across musical theatre, live music, community performances and original songwriting. Some of his performance credits include lead roles in The Pirates of Penzance and Legally Blonde, as well as performing on national television alongside Guy Sebastian.

Axel is focused on creating meaningful songs that tell authentic stories and connect with audiences.

National Regional Arts Fellowship

The National Regional Arts Fellowship provides regional, rural and remote artists and arts workers with something that is often difficult to find in a creative career — time, space and financial security to invest in their practice and future.

For Axel and his fellow recipients, this Fellowship is an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day demands and focus on creative work, explore new ideas, develop skills, build connections.

At STA, we know that supporting artists means supporting the communities they are part of. Artists bring new ideas, different perspectives and opportunities for connection to our region. Their work contributes to the cultural life, identity and vitality of the STA Region, while also strengthening the broader creative sector.

Programs such as the National Regional Arts Fellowship are important because they recognise that meaningful creative development doesn’t always begin with a project, an exhibition or a finished outcome. Sometimes artists need the freedom to experiment, research, learn, connect and simply give an idea time to grow.

Funded through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund and administrated through Regional Arts Australia, the Fellowship provides guaranteed income without requiring recipients to deliver a predetermined project. We know that investing in artists creates ripples — new ideas, new connections, new work and new opportunities that can reach well beyond the individual.

We are particularly proud to see Axel recognised through this national program.