photo by Jamois
Cultural Leaders Program Expressions of Interest NOW OPEN
Are you an early-career…
Artist wanting to refine your producing skills?
Community arts facilitator looking to elevate your professional practice?
Arts worker eager to learn from top industry experts?
If you identify with any of these and are a First Nation, POC, LGBTQIA+, or Disabled individual based in South Australia, you’re invited to apply for ActNow Theatre’s 2025 Cultural Leaders Program!
The Cultural Leaders Program is designed to empower and elevate diverse voices in South Australia’s arts landscape. Through this program, First Nations, POC, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled artists, community leaders, and arts professionals will gain access to resources, skills, and mentorship to become influential leaders.
Program Highlights
Consultation
We will meet with you before the program begins, to ensure that the curated masterclasses and the mentor we pair you with will be tailored to support your development.
Cultural Leaders Intensive
A four-day intensive featuring masterclasses led by OzAsia Festival, State Theatre Company South Australia, Nexus Arts, Windmill Theatre, Adelaide Festival, and Ilbijerri Theatre Company (Naarm), covering essential topics like arts advocacy, programming, marketing, and budget management.
Follow-Up Group Sessions
Meet every two months for a masterclass and a goal-sharing segment, creating a collaborative space for you to refine your skills, set goals, and connect with peers.
Mentorship
4 mentorship sessions with an industry expert, offering personalised guidance and support as you develop your unique leadership style.
Professional Headshot photography
During the intensive, we will hire a photographer to take a professional headshot photo of you; a key asset for any cultural leader.
Stipend
To support your involvement in the Cultural Leaders Program, you will receive a stipend of $1,260 to assist in covering any costs associated with participating in the program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for ActNow Theatre’s 2025 Cultural Leaders Program, you must:
Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, POC (Person of Colour), LGBTQIA+, and/or Disabled person
Be in the early stages of your career as a professional artist, arts worker, community and cultural development practitioner or as a community arts facilitator
Be a South Australian resident for the duration of the program
Be available for the 2025 Cultural Leaders Program dates (please see the information pack for the full schedule and timeline)
Information Pack
Before applying, please download and read the Cultural Leaders Program Information Pack
For a Plain Text version, click here
How to Apply
To apply, submit your application by Friday 29th November, before 2pm ACDT.
You can choose to submit a written application or video application.
To submit a written application form, click here.
To submit a video application, click here.
All applicants will be notified by Friday 13th of December on the the results of their application.
Information Session
On Thursday 14th of November at 6:30pm we’ll be running an information session for the program, where we’ll happily answer any questions about the program, schedule, eligibility requirements and application process. You can attend online or in person. To register for this session, please click here.
If you can’t make it to our information session and still have questions or require support with the application process, please contact the Cultural Leaders Program producer, Nescha Jelk, via email: nescha@actnowtheatre.org.au
Testimonials
“I think that going in with a cohort and going through it together, felt like kind of a family. It’s a safe environment with such diversity. You don’t have to explain yourself, what your place is and you’re just free to learn and be open. That’s really valuable.”
“My main takeaway from this program is sharpening a lot of the existing skills I have and being able to meet and see an example of so many minority artists that are working in Australia.”
“It’s a great opportunity to make more connections… I will take away friendship, and a lot of knowledge that I can use in the field.”
Previous participants
2023 Cultural leaders
2023 Facilitators: Emily Tulloch (Nexus Arts), Karen Bryant (Midsumma Festival), Emma Webb (Vitalstatistix), Edwin Kemp Attrill, Annette Shun Wah (OzAsia Festival), Mitchell Butel, (State Theatre Company of SA), Gaelle Mellis & Sam Wannan (Tutti Arts), Asha Bee Abraham (Footscray Arts Centre), Jennifer Greer Holmes, Ruth Weldon, Nara Wilson, Jennifer Trijo, Yasmin Gurreeboo (ActNow Theatre), Blake Taylor
(ActNow Theatre), Annabel Matheson (ActNow Theatre), Ayesha Aggarwal (ActNow Theatre)
2023 Mentors: Sasha Zahra, Eva Grace Mullaley, Joon-Yee Kwok (OzAsia Festival), Manal Younus, Emma Webb (Vitalstatistix), Emily Tulloch (Nexus Arts), Karen Bryant (Midsumma Festival), Annette Shun Wah (OzAsia Festival)
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