The Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellowship is a two-year Fellowship valued at AU$50,000 each year for two years (total value AU$100,000) awarded by the Directors of ANAM, to an alum who displays a demonstrated commitment to establishing an independent performance practice.
The program is made possible with the support of The Ian Potter Cultural Trust. Two Fellowships will be awarded annually between 2024 and 2028 (a total of 10 Fellowships). The inaugural Fellows appointed in 2024 were Mee Na Lojewski (alum 2014, cello) and Katie Yap (alum 2014, viola).
This program seeks to identify and nurture those artists who display a demonstrated commitment to building independent creative practice that predominantly lie outside the traditional orchestral pathway.
It will do so by identifying suitably skilled and experienced candidates, identify and address skills and support needs (through the pairing with mentors), and support them in the development of a sustained practice.
Details
- Fellowships commence on 1 January in the first year of the Fellowship. Two tax-exempt payments of AU$50,000 will be made in February of each year.
- Detailed plans or budgets are not required as part of the application process: the intention of the program is to create some financial space to enable ‘artists to be artists’.
- In discussion with ANAM, Fellows will be allocated a professional mentor in each year of the program. The mentor does not have to be Australian or based in Australia. Fellows may select a new mentor in the second year of their Fellowship.
- Fellows will be required to submit a short acquittal at the end of each year, outlining activities that have been undertaken during the course of the year, and mid-year interviews for self-reflection and to evaluate progress.
Selection Criteria and Eligibility
Selection Criteria
Candidates will need to:
- Articulate a three- to five-year plan displaying a commitment to developing an independent performance practice;
- Demonstrate a track record of some of the activity that demonstrates this commitment; and
- Have attained the highest-level technical and musical ability.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have completed at least two years' training at ANAM;
- Applicants must have completed their formal music or music-related training – either at ANAM or other Australian or international institution – at least two years prior to the commencement of their Fellowship;
- Fellows must be an Australian citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, and be based in Australia for at least eight months in each year of their Fellowship, and any work created during the Fellowship should be created predominantly in Australia but may have an international iteration; and
- There is no age limit for applicants.
Exclusions
- The Fellowship cannot be used to fund further domestic or international study;
- Recipients must not be employed full-time by, or under an extended contract with, an orchestra or professional presenter or in any other full-time role whilst participating in the program (although may take on casual orchestral and/or other freelance or part-time work); and
- Former recipients of this Fellowship are ineliglible to apply.
Application Process
Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship are now closed. Applications for the 2026-2027 Fellowship will open in September 2025.
Candidates will be required to submit:
- A written application of not more than 1,400 words
Applicants should give careful thought to outlining immediate and medium-term creative practice goals, and how a Fellowship would assist in realising these. A detailed list of activities, timeline, budget or how Fellowship funds will be spent is not required.
- A curriculum vitae
Including non-orchestral performance, teaching and/or other creative activities, in particular those that have been initiated by the applicant. - Links to two recordings of recent performances
- Names and contact details of three referees
Further questions
Please contact alumni@anam.com.au
About The Ian Potter Cultural Trust
The Ian Potter Cultural Trust was established in 1993 by The Ian Potter Foundation to encourage and support diversity and excellence among emerging Australian artists. A commitment to excellence governs the Trust’s funding: it seeks to support individuals who are passionate about their work and have the potential to be outstanding in their field. The Trust’s main funding stream offers grants to assist early career artists of exceptional talent to undertake professional development opportunities, usually overseas. Since 1993, the Trust has assisted the professional development of over 1750 individuals through grants totalling more than $10.9 million.
