Cultivating Creativity

Are you a Territorian with a creative idea bubbling away? Keen to explore some creative career development? Need some dosh to make it happen? The NT Arts Grants Program can help!

^{By Tierney White}

THERE's A BUNCH of grants up for grabs across a range of categories, giving creatives financial support to explore their arts practice, development and ideas, including Quick Response Grants, Professional Development Grants, and Creative Communities Grants.

A fantastic initiative is the NXT Gen ARTS Grant, which sees young people aged 18-25 employed in established arts organisations. Some previous participants have gone on to gain ongoing employment within the Territory arts sector, which is ultimately the dream scenario.

The Arts Projects Grants provides up to $30,000 to support the creation and showcasing of arts, including a new touring category that supports performing and visual arts touring activity within the Territory.

Betty Sweetlove and Jasmine Story are creatives from Mparntwe/Alice Springs, who received funding to support their Theatre Makers Program in 2024, created to support the connection of theatre makers at any level to enrich theatre skills, and provide a hub for researching, developing and making new work. Sweetlove says this financial support has been instrumental for the program.

“It has been amazing … we have extended the program since 2023, taken on 10 local artist facilitators who can run workshops, and also brand-new this year is they each provide mentorship for our 15 participants,” she says.

“This support from Arts NT means that Jazzy and I can be paid properly as producers … we can’t grow the sector without proper pay and working conditions, and it’s massive professional development for us.”

So throw your creative ideas out there or explore creative development opportunities. The arts sector in the NT is strong, and oh so worthy of investment.

INFO nt.gov.au/artsgrants

^{Header, Thumbnail & Inset: Theatre Makers}