ANAM is delighted to announce the latest recipients of the Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellowships for 2025. Alumni Matt Laing (viola 2013) and Simone Slattery (violin 2011) will each receive $50,000 per year for two years ($100,000 total), plus mentorship from industry professionals, to establish their own independent artistic practice.
The Fellowships, which are made possible through the generous support of the Ian Potter Cultural Trust, are awarded to ANAM alumni who have achieved an outstanding level of musical and technical proficiency in their chosen instrument, and who demonstrate artistic vision and resilience along with a desire to grow and contribute to Australia's cultural life. This is the third year this Fellowship has been offered to ANAM alumni, of the five year partnership with the Ian Potter Cultural Trust.
ANAM's Managing Director Nick Bailey, said "The strength of the applications from our ANAM alumni for this opportunity have demonstrated their leadership of the sector, and the vibrancy of classical and contemporary art music in Australia. Our alumni are to be commended for their contribution to music making and education to their communities across the country, and internationally as Australia’s cultural ambassadors.
"The panel were impressed with the body of work that both Simone and Matt have created in the years since their time at ANAM."
The Fellowship allows Simone, as co-Artistic Director and founder of the award-winning Bowerbird Collective, to continue to produce new works and performances, particularly throughout regional Australia, and continue to advocate for the conservation of our environment and endangered species. "I am honoured to be a recipient of an Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellowship,” said Simone Slattery. “Forging a non-traditional path in the music industry is a thrilling but at times precarious task, and while I wouldn't have it any other way, it is an immeasurable gift to be given such support along the way."
As both a violist and composer, the Fellowship will enable Matt to publish his compositional folio, release premiere recordings of his works and boost his career profile both within Australia and internationally. "The ANAM Ian Potter Emerging Performer Fellowship will be transformative to my practice," said Matt. "Whilst this is personally an extraordinary honour, it also comes with a responsibility to lead and advocate for the practices of other independent Australian artists, and I’m really excited by the opportunity to explore what that looks like over the coming years."
Both Simone and Matt expressed their gratitude towards ANAM and the Ian Potter Cultural Trust for the oppourtnity to represent ANAM by way of this extraordinary Fellowship. CEO of The Ian Potter Cultural Trust, Paul Conroy, said "On behalf of The Ian Potter Cultural Trust, I’d like to congratulate Matt Laing and Simone Slattery on their Fellowships. The Trust is proud to continue its collaboration with ANAM in supporting the next generation of Australian music leaders through this unique program.
"We look forward to seeing how Matt and Simone shape their fellowships to unlock new opportunities, access new networks, and take their careers to new heights."
Previous recipients of the Fellowship include inaugural Fellows for 2024-2025 Mee Na Lojewski (cello 2014) and Katie Yap (viola 2014), who complete their Fellowship at the end of 2025, and Fellows for 2025-2026 Kaylie Melville (percussion 2015) and Eliza Shephard (flute 2018), who are mid-way through the two-year Fellowship. The Fellowship has enabled these ANAM alumni to expand upon their independent performance careers, with Mee Na’s ensemble Affinity Quartet and Kaylie’s Rubiks Collective pursuing increased performance opportunities both within Australia and abroad. Tailored mentorship and financial support of the Fellowship has also allowed solo and chamber artists Katie and Eliza to create, develop and share new work, through commissions, recordings, and performance outreach.
ANAM offers its congratulations to Simone and Matt as the 2026 recipients of the Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellowships, and we look forward to following the career successes of all the Fellows in the years to come.
Words by Laura Panther, ANAM Alumni Manager
Image credits: Matt Laing by Sharon Gertner, Simone Slattery by Keith Saunders