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GRANTS
The IAF provides funding for supporting South Australian arts and artists through its own small grants and a number of other awards listed below. The IAF welcomes organisations who wish to support young and emerging artists by providing a grant under their own business name and logo to be administered by the IAF.
The IAF Small Grants for Young or Emerging Artists, (individual and/or group) administered by the IAF:
The June S. Tanner Memorial Scholarship, jointly funded between the Independent Arts Foundation and the Italia-Australia Association;
The Neil Curnow Award, administered by the Helpmann Academy; and the
IAF Award for Innovation, selected by The Adelaide Critics Circle
Young South Australian Filmmaker Award (Under 24 years of age), run by Fleurieu Film Festival https://www.fleurieufilmfestival.com.au/submit
Russell Starke Small Grant, Broadening access to the arts in country SA
IAF Small Grants for Young and/or Emerging Artists (individual and group)
The Independent Arts Foundation makes available funding for small grants up to a maximum of $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups.
All art forms are eligible including (but not limited to): Creative Writing (fiction, non-fiction, screen plays, poetry), Music (composition, performance, recording & production), Performing Arts (acting, directing, circus, dance), Visual Arts (all media), Film & New Media, Multi Arts.
Two types of grants are available: Professional development grants for young or emerging artists to assist with the development of their artistic career through activities such as research and/or creative development (e.g. skills development activities such as an accredited course of study, master class, artist residency, mentorship program, internship. Project grants for young or emerging artists to assist them to develop new work, or present and promote their arts practice through public exhibitions, performances, etc. Note: An emerging artist may be any age, but is considered to be within the first five years of embarking upon a career as an artist. Eligibility:Applicants must be current residents of South Australia and have been living in South Australia for a minimum of one year.Previous recipients of an IAF Small Grant are not eligible to re-apply for a period of three years. There are two grant rounds per year.
Round 1: Open for submission of applications: 1st March.Round 1: Deadline for submission of applications: 1st May.Round 1: Notification of outcome: 15th June.Round 2: Open for submission of applications: 1st August.Round 2: Deadline for submission of applications: 1st October.Round 2: Notification of outcome: 15th November.
Please note that only completed application forms submitted within the above dates will be considered.
All art forms are eligible including (but not limited to): Creative Writing (fiction, non-fiction, screen plays, poetry), Music (composition, performance, recording & production), Performing Arts (acting, directing, circus, dance), Visual Arts (all media), Film & New Media, Multi Arts.
Two types of grants are available: Professional development grants for young or emerging artists to assist with the development of their artistic career through activities such as research and/or creative development (e.g. skills development activities such as an accredited course of study, master class, artist residency, mentorship program, internship. Project grants for young or emerging artists to assist them to develop new work, or present and promote their arts practice through public exhibitions, performances, etc. Note: An emerging artist may be any age, but is considered to be within the first five years of embarking upon a career as an artist. Eligibility:Applicants must be current residents of South Australia and have been living in South Australia for a minimum of one year.Previous recipients of an IAF Small Grant are not eligible to re-apply for a period of three years. There are two grant rounds per year.
Round 1: Open for submission of applications: 1st March.Round 1: Deadline for submission of applications: 1st May.Round 1: Notification of outcome: 15th June.Round 2: Open for submission of applications: 1st August.Round 2: Deadline for submission of applications: 1st October.Round 2: Notification of outcome: 15th November.
Please note that only completed application forms submitted within the above dates will be considered.
IAF grant recipient
To access reports produced by past IAF grant recipient, click here
To download a pdf list of previous grant recipients, click here
To download a pdf booklet with photos containing the collected list of previous IAF small grant and award recipients up to 2022.
(This booklet is A4 in size with 40 pages)
click here
Additional Grants
June S. Tanner Memorial Scholarship
The June S. Tanner Memorial Scholarship is jointly funded between the Independent Arts Foundation and the Italia-Australia Association.
The June S. Tanner Memorial Scholarship will support a South Australian artist (aged 26 or under) working in any art form to further develop their practice through a professional development program (of choice) in Italy. The scholarship is offered at the value of $4,000.
The June S. Tanner Memorial Scholarship was established to honour the memory of a late Vice-President of the SA Branch of the Italia-Australia Association June Tanner, who accompanied groups of Australians on cultural tours of Italy and also taught mosaic-making.
For more information and how to apply, click here
To download a pdf of previous grant recipients, click here.
Neil Curnow Award
The Neil Curnow Award is administered by the Helpmann Academy and is available to final-year students and graduates under the age of 30 who have studied acting, theatre direction, technical production, or costume at either the Flinders University Drama Centre or TAFE SA’s Adelaide College of the Arts. The award supports an emerging artist to undertake further study or professional development in acting, theatre performance, or direction.
The award is made possible through the generous bequest of the late Neil Curnow, an extraordinary Adelaide-based actor, director, teacher and voice coach. Following his distinguished career, Neil left a bequest through the Independent Arts Foundation to support emerging South Australian theatre artists. The award, valued at up to $7,000 for interstate study and $10,000 for overseas study, enables recipients to pursue further training or internships at recognised institutions. It is facilitated by the Helpmann Academy on behalf of the Independent Arts Foundation.
The Helpmann Academy, in partnership with the Independent Arts Foundation, is delighted to announce the 2025 Neil Curnow Award recipient is Julia Vosnakis.
After graduating from the Flinders University Drama Centre with First Class Honours and receiving the Flinders University Medal, Julia made her professional debut as Chloe in Windmill Theatre’s Amphibian (2021/22). She went on to co-found The Corseted Rabbits theatre group, co-producing and starring in Di and Viv and Rose, which premiered at RUMPUS Theatre in 2022 with support from the Helpmann Academy.
2025 Neil Curnow Award Winner: Julia Vosnakis.
For more information, and how to apply, click here.
To download a pdf of previous recipients, click here.
Russell Starke Small Grant “Broadening access to the arts in country SA”
Russell Starke was an icon in the South Australian arts scene who passed away in 2022. He was an Independent Arts Foundation (IAF) member and a regular attendee at IAF functions. Russell’s daughters, Miranda and Petra, have again generously donated funds for an individual IAF Small Grant in Russell’s memory.
To reflect on Russell’s background in regional and rural South Australia, two small grants, valued at $1,000 each, will be targeted at emerging artists who come from, or who intend to present their work in country South Australia.
Russell was born in Solomontown (Pt Pirie) and grew up in Whyalla and was always very mindful that South Australians in the regions did not have the same access to the arts, to theatre, and to the community of creative ideas, as those in the cities. This is something he kept in mind during his career as an art dealer, running Greenhill Galleries in North Adelaide and as an arts critic and media figure. He would do whatever he could to support and promote talented young artists who like himself, had come from the country. In his final years, he performed in a number of productions that he was extremely excited to take on regional tour for that same reason.
Applicants should use the existing IAF Small Grants application form. Please note on your application (in the Personal Details section) that you are applying for the Russell Starke Small Grant Round 1, 2024 - broadening access to the arts in country SA.
The inaugural winner of the Russell Starke Small Grant 2022 was Clementine Benson who used the funds towards a professional development opportunity, spending a month with distinguished UK-based choreographers and their companies. Clementine’s report can be read at past grant recipients. See also on Adelaide Critics Circle
Russell was born in Solomontown (Pt Pirie) and grew up in Whyalla and was always very mindful that South Australians in the regions did not have the same access to the arts, to theatre, and to the community of creative ideas, as those in the cities. This is something he kept in mind during his career as an art dealer, running Greenhill Galleries in North Adelaide and as an arts critic and media figure. He would do whatever he could to support and promote talented young artists who like himself, had come from the country. In his final years, he performed in a number of productions that he was extremely excited to take on regional tour for that same reason.
Applicants should use the existing IAF Small Grants application form. Please note on your application (in the Personal Details section) that you are applying for the Russell Starke Small Grant Round 1, 2024 - broadening access to the arts in country SA.
The inaugural winner of the Russell Starke Small Grant 2022 was Clementine Benson who used the funds towards a professional development opportunity, spending a month with distinguished UK-based choreographers and their companies. Clementine’s report can be read at past grant recipients. See also on Adelaide Critics Circle
Other Grants available to artists
Artists and arts organisations seeking funding through the IAF Small Grants program are eligible to apply for grants from more than one source and we encourage you to explore other sources of grant funding information which include:
Arts SA – Individuals – Click here
Arts SA – Arts organisations – Click here
Country Arts SA – Click here
Helpmann Academy fellowships and grants (limited to staff, students and recent graduates of HA) – Click here
and Click here
Female post-graduate students – Click here
Guildhouse – grants listing available to members – Click here
NAVA – National Association for Visual Arts – extensive grants listing available to members. Click here
The Freedman Foundation Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Artists – For more information visit the NAVA website
In addition to regular rounds of funding, Quick Response Grants are also offered by Country Arts SA and Helpmann Academy.
Here are some useful links to organisations supporting the arts in South Australia.
In addition to regular rounds of funding, Quick Response Grants are also offered by Country Arts SA and Helpmann Academy. Here are some useful links to organisations supporting the arts in South Australia.
In addition to regular rounds of funding, Quick Response Grants are also offered by Country Arts SA and Helpmann Academy. Here are some useful links to organisations supporting the arts in South Australia.