Carclew Announces First Recipients of Expanded Grants Program

Nine individual artists and six youth arts organisations have been chosen as the first recipients of Carclew's expanded Grants Program.

Bringing ambitious new creative projects to life across South Australia, the $400,000 investment over two years in the SA young creatives and youth arts sector has been made possible thanks to the South Australian Government's A Place to Create cultural policy that was instituted last year.

Those chosen for the grants represent a diverse cross-section of the state's creative arts sector, with music, film, visual arts, theatre and more. The current grants are the biggest in Carclew's history, with youth arts organisations now having the opportunity to access grants of up to $20,000 across two annual funding rounds,

“We’re delighted to see this investment begin to flow directly to artists and organisations with ambitious ideas for young people," says Carclew Acting Chief Executive, Robyn Jones. "For many emerging artists and youth arts organisations, timely investment can be the difference between an idea and a realised project. These grants will help bring new work to life while building stronger creative pathways for young people across South Australia."

South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts, the Hon. Kyam Maher MLC, adds, "It's exciting to see these talented artists and organisations bringing new creative projects to life, supported through Carclew's expanded Grants Program. 

"By investing in young people at the early stages of their creative careers, we're helping build a stronger, more vibrant arts sector for South Australia, while creating opportunities for the next generation of creative talent to thrive." 

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One of this year's successful recipients is contemporary dancer Alix Kuijpers, whose work explores collective relationships to love, rage and fantasy.

"Carclew has been a huge part of shaping my identity as an artist over the years and this support now allows me to step into the next chapter of my career," says Kuijpers. "This support means I can take the first steps in creating my first large-scale ensemble dance theatre work, whilst also providing me with the tools to connect with artists I revere as I further my choreographic identity into career artistry." 

As for the arts organisations, Wara Yindi Support Services are among the successful recipients, who will use their grant to establish an Aboriginal Youth Creative Reference Group in Whyalla to guide arts projects, cultural storytelling and community-led creative development.

Jacinta Dempsey-Taylor, Director of Wara Yindi Support Services, said the funding would help strengthen community connection through creativity. 

"Receiving this Carclew grant is an incredible opportunity to strengthen community connection through creativity, culture and inclusion. It will enable us to deliver meaningful artistic experiences that celebrate Aboriginal culture while creating safe, welcoming spaces where young people, families and community members can connect, learn and thrive together." 

These recipients are just the first chapter of Carclew's expanded Grants Program. Applications for Carclew Fellowships will open later this year while the Quick Response Grants remain open.

More information about the available grants and how to apply can be found at carclew.com.au. Check out the list of successful applicants below.