Creative Australia has awarded 16 outstanding artists with 2025 Creative Australia Fellowships, representing a $1.28 million investment in Australian creativity.
The Fellowships provide $80,000 each to support established artists' creative practice and professional development over two years, giving them the time and resources to take their work further.
Executive Director of Arts Investment Alice Nash said:
"These Fellowships support artists to grow their practice by allowing them time and resources to take their work to the next level."
This year marks the largest Fellowship investment round to date, supporting the greatest number of recipients, thanks to additional investment from First Nations Arts, Writing Australia and Music Australia.
Celebrated artists Thelma Plum, Dan Sultan and Emily Wurramara are among the cohort, along with acclaimed hip-hop artist L-Fresh the Lion and singer-songwriter Lior. They're joined by leading novelists Isobelle Carmody and Jennifer Mills, visual artist Robert Andrew and theatre-maker Samara Hersch.
Director Writing Australia Wenona Byrne said:
"As the first investment announced by the newly established Writing Australia, this Fellowship carries special significance. It reflects our commitment to investing in writing at the highest level, giving an established writer the rare and precious gift of time to write."
Director Music Australia Millie Milgate said:
"From its very first meeting, the Music Australia Council determined that providing significant, career-shaping support to artists would be a priority. Our investment in six Fellowships in this round reflects that commitment, giving artists and creative practitioners the time and resources to grow their career and reach new audiences."
2025 Fellowship recipients:
Lior Attar
Robert Andrew
Isobelle Carmody
Samara Hersch
Victoria Hunt
L-FRESH The LION
Ash McGregor
Jennifer Mills
Fiona Murphy
April Phillips
Thelma Plum
Daen John Sansbury-Smith
Maurial Spearim
Dan Sultan
Aseel Tayah
Emily Wurramara
