The Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship aims to nurture the production of excellent and significant works of art and interpretation by professionals in the creative arts, humanities and social sciences.
Please note: there is a separate Media Program. All media should apply through this program, rather than the Arts Fellowship.
Fellowship details
The Fellowship takes the form of either a ship voyage or flight to Antarctica, Macquarie Island, or the Southern Ocean and associated logistical support, ie food, accommodation, transport and cold-weather clothing on loan.
Eligibility
You must be an Australian citizen.
You must be a practising artist or creative professional.
Travel to Antarctica must be essential to your project.
Projects must identify with and respond to Antarctica.
Your project must address at least 2 Fellowship objectives.
Timing
If successful, you will travel between October and April. We will negotiate a travel schedule with you that is logistically feasible and which provides the best chance of achieving your proposed project aims. This may involve travel to Antarctica and/or the sub-Antarctic for a few days to a few weeks.
Application process
Expressions of interest are assessed by a panel of independent experts in relevant fields. From these, a shortlist of applicants are invited to submit a full application which is assessed by a second panel of independent experts. Recommendations are then made to the Head of the Australian Antarctic Division.
Notification
You can expect to hear the outcome of your application within 4-6 weeks of submission for each stage of the application process.
Due to the large number of applications received we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants.
Support for applications is subject to availability of operational support including beds on voyages, seats on flights and logistical support available at stations.
This process takes considerable time because of the complexity of providing operational support in Antarctica.
Medical considerations
Arts Fellows are subject to a medical assessment. Some medical conditions may preclude travel to Antarctica.
Please ensure you have read and understood the medical checklist. Do not complete or submit the medical checklist until you are offered a Fellowship.
Conditions apply
Arts Fellows are subject to the Antarctic Service Code of Personal Behaviour, and other requirements of all Antarctic expeditioners. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a National Police History Check and have a current First Aid certificate.
The successful applicant must also abide by permit requirements and attend all specified pre-departure briefings and training sessions.
The Fellowship does not cover travel, accommodation or other costs associated with getting to and from the port of departure (Hobart).
Arts Fellows are eligible to apply for financial support of up to $5000 to cover these expenses. The funding is provided by ANAT and is managed directly between ANAT and the Arts Fellow.
Specialised Antarctic clothing will be provided by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).
In general, the AAD seeks to provide Arts Fellows freedom in their work, however, fellows are required to agree in writing to contractual obligations before embarking for Antarctica and regarding the completion of your project.
Every effort will be made to provide all necessary support to Arts Fellows, however, each voyage/flight is undertaken on the basis that its primary purpose is to support Antarctic research programs. Support for Arts Fellows may be limited by the operational requirements of these programs.
Further information
For further information, please use the feedback form.