Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships 2026–27: Up to A$10,000 for Local Arts Career Development
A professional development fellowship for Brisbane artists
Brisbane City Council is inviting applications to the 2026–27 Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowships. The local programme is designed for emerging and early-career professional artists and creative workers to develop their practice and industry skills through structured learning. A visual artist or digital creative practitioner may seek funding for an eligible professional development programme, provided their project and personal eligibility satisfy the council's guidelines.
Financial support and eligible activity
Fellowship funding is available up to A$10,000 per applicant, excluding GST. Professional development must be structured and delivered by a recognised organisation or an industry professional. The proposed activity must take place between 23 March 2027 and 21 March 2028, with a contribution from funding or support sources beyond this fellowship. No more than half of the requested fellowship may be spent on travel, touring, accommodation and living expenses.
Applicant eligibility
Applicants must be emerging or early-career artists or creative workers living in the Brisbane local government area, Australian citizens or permanent residents, and at least 17 years old. They need a Brisbane-registered Australian Business Number or support from an eligible Brisbane-based auspice organisation, and must not have outstanding council grant acquittals. The programme is for individuals rather than a general artist-group project fund.
Application dates and grant restrictions
Applications opened at 9 a.m. on 28 September 2026 and close at 3 p.m. Brisbane local time on Monday, 16 November 2026. Brisbane City Council expects to notify applicants in late March 2027. Applicants may not receive the Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowship and Creative Sparks Grant in the same financial year, and council rules exclude applicants who received A$10,000 or more in council creative funding during the 2026–27 financial year.
Who organises the fellowship
Brisbane City Council maintains the programme as part of its creative and history grants, with lists of prior recipients published on the official website. The fellowship is distinguished from the council's project-based Creative Sparks grants by its focus on an individual artist's structured career development.
Official rules and application
The council's website lists eligibility, financial limits, dates, current guidelines and its SmartyGrants application link. Brisbane Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowships: official call
Important note
This article provides a summary. To avoid misunderstandings, please be sure to check the official page for full details. Information verified: 22 October 2026.
Our competitions
Aion Digital Art Prize is a separate opportunity for eligible digital artworks, including work that has previously been exhibited or won awards. Aion Digital Art Prize information
Publish an opportunity
Paid listings for music and visual or digital arts opportunities can be requested using Ise-Shima Art Company's English-language submission form. Ise-Shima Art Company is the company behind Aion Laboratory. Submit a paid arts opportunity listing