The Fellowships are each worth $80,000 over up to two years, and support artists to deepen their practice and develop ambitious new work.
The 2026 Fellows span music, literature, theatre, visual arts, dance, experimental practice, community arts and cultural development, First Nations arts, and arts and disability.
Among the cohort are:
- Acclaimed playwright Jane Harrison, whose Fellowship with support the development of a full-length play, building on the recent international success of Bennelong;
- Wiradjuri musician Zeppelin Hamilton, whose Fellowship supports a two-year creative residency, strengthening his international profile and contemporary First Nations music on the global stage;
- Five-time ARIA Award-winning vocalist, composer and artistic leader Katie Noonan, who will focus on the future of Australian vocal music;
- Dancer and choreographer Amrita Hepi, who will explore choreography and creative leadership;
- Visual artist Angela Valamanesh, whose project Once I was a beetle continues her distinctive visual arts practice;
- Performance artist and experimental practitioner Brian Fuata, whose Fellowship will support an ambitious program of improvisation, performance and international collaboration;
- Arts practitioner and disability advocate Heidi Everett, supporting a residency exploring mental health, disability and lived experience through the arts;
- Support for literary translation and writing, with Judith Bishop and Alison Entrekin receiving Fellowships to advance innovative new work in poetry, creative nonfiction and literary translation, helping Australian stories and voices reach audiences across languages and borders.
Creative Australia Executive Director Arts Investment Alice Nash said:
“These Fellowships are an investment in artists with distinctive voices, deep practice and the capacity to influence Australia’s cultural life in lasting ways.
“They give artists the time and space to take creative risks, develop ambitious new work, build connections and contribute to the strength and diversity of the arts across Australia.”
Creative Australia Fellowships are offered across nine areas of practice and support outstanding established artists’ creative activity and professional development.
A full list of recipients is available via the awarded grants list on the Creative Australia website.
Media contact:
Brianna Roberts,
Senior Media Manager, Creative Australia
Mobile: 0498 123 541
