Awards, Prizes and Opportunities – listed by closing date.

1 Sep 2025 – NAISDA Dance College is Australia’s leading arts training organisation providing nationally accredited qualifications specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Applications for 2026 are now open. We have a proud tradition of producing the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers since 1976.

1 Sep 2025 – SF3 aka the SmartFone Flick Fest is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious smartphone film festivals. We are an international festival open to filmmakers of all ages and abilities – from absolute beginners through to Oscar winners – from every corner of the world. All you need is a great idea and a phone or tablet.

3 Sep 2025 – Tim Cope’s Water Colour Prize at the Bowral District Art Gallery 

10 Sept 2025 – 1pm Australian Tapestry Workshop 2026 Artist in Residence Call for Applications throughout your networks.This unique opportunity supports mid-career artists to develop and innovate within a vibrant textile environment. It includes dedicated residencies for First Peoples and Regional artists which attract a $2,500 stipend to assist with accommodation and travel expenses.

14 Sep 2025 – Vaucluse House Creative and Cultural Residency Program EOI The Vaucluse House Creative and Cultural Residency Program offers time, space, connection and inspiration. It is a multidisciplinary non-residential program providing fully subsidised access to four sunny studio spaces within a shared cottage for 12 months.

16 Sep 2025 – Asia Pacific Arts Awards 2026 This program aims to celebrate Australia’s rich cultural exchange and creative connections in the Asia Pacific through arts and culture.

16 Sep 2025 – First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award Recognising innovation and excellence in entrepreneurship among small to medium Australian First Nations arts and culture businesses and arts organisations.

16 Sep 2025 – First Nations Established Artist of the Year Award Recognising excellence in artistic practice and outstanding achievement in the arts for an established artist with ten or more years of continued artistic practice.

16 Sep 2025 – Red Ochre Award (Lifetime Achievement) Creative Australia is pleased to invite nominations for senior First Nations artists and cultural workers for the 2026 Red Ochre Awards.

16 Sep 2025 – First Nations Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts Creative Australia are pleased to invite nominations for the 2026 Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts. This Award recognises the achievement of one Australian First Nations artist or arts worker in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts between the age of 18 and 35. 

16 Sep 2025 – Debra Porch Award: Visual Arts Residency Investment to support both an Australian artist and a Thai artist to undertake reciprocal residencies.

19 Sep 2025 – Platform Exhibition & First Peoples Program Applications are currently open for exhibition proposals from artists, artist collectives, and curators to be part of our 2026 artistic program at Platform. Preference is given to artists with a strong connection to the Canberra region, early-career artists, and established artists exploring new directions in their practice. 

19 Sep 2025 – Lambing Flat Young Regional Branch 2025National Writing Competition – There is no set theme for short stories up to 1500 words (please show your word count) and poems
up to 50 lines. Poetry form can be as you choose – traditional rhyming or free verse. email [email protected]  to get the guidelines and the entry form. 

23 Sep 2025 – A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize is awarded to Australian artists who have demonstrated talent and achievement in traditional styles. This includes realist, figurative and representational styles.

23 Sep 2025 – A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize is awarded to Australian artists who have demonstrated talent and achievement in traditional styles. This includes realist, figurative and representational styles.

26 Sep 2025 – EOI Vivid Sydney This program aims to support artists, designers, producers, creatives, and educational institutions to be a part of the festival in 2026. Applications for Music, Ideas and Food.

29 Oct 2025 – ANAT Synapse residency program the program brings artists and researchers together in partnerships that generate new knowledge, ideas and processes beneficial beyond both fields.

open – Incentives for live music and performance venues – This program aims to encourage more live music, performance and other arts and cultural events and employment opportunities for musicians and performers.

open – Rusten House Galleries  Exhibition space is avalible for Artists to propose exhibitions in Queanbeyan