Nine young artists from across regional NSW have been selected to share in $90,000 as the recipients of the Create NSW Young Regional Artist Scholarship initiative for round one. Each artist will receive $10,000 and undertake a professional development program for the opportunity to learn new skills and explore their ideas and concepts. The Create NSW Scholarship fund invites artists aged 18-25 from across the state to apply, and encourages applications from artists working in all art forms including, dance, design, digital arts, history, Aboriginal arts, literature, music, theatre, screen, and curatorial and visual arts. Twenty-five scholarships are awarded to artists from two rounds each year. Round two submissions are open until midnight, Monday 30 October.

Tyronne Hoerler, The Creator, 2017, acrylic, 120 x 180cm
The nine recipients bring a diverse range of artistic practices to round one of the 2017 program – from circus, music, film and theatre to the visual arts. Tyronne Hoerler, Sophie Aked, Jesse Alston, Deni Davidson, Timothy Eddy, Rhiannon Ersser , Tayla Martin, Ben Rodwell and Johanna Williams will begin the Scholarship on 1 November at Carriageworks, Sydney with a two-day professional development workshop, curated by Create NSW, which includes expert advice, guidance in business management, and networking opportunities with a range of leading industry figures, visits to arts organisations and the chance to meet Minster for the Arts, Don Harwin. The artists will then continue to develop their artistic practice with their own self-directed programs.
Tyronne Hoerler (Mount Austin) will embark on a professional development program including studio visits with professional artists, a research trip on country, arts business development sessions and sustained curatorial support. His first professional solo exhibition will open at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery in late 2018.
Sophie Aked (Cooks Hill) aims to expand her songwriting skills with a trip to London to undertake poetry tuition and attend world-class music industry festivals and conference events in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Jesse Alston (Mitchell) will develop a unique artistic theatre practice and new body of work through the study of practical animation and professional mentorship from modern theatre practitioner, Nel Kentish.
Deni Davidson (Albury) is attending the Hoop Convention in Germany to learn from experienced hula-hoop trainers and undertake circus performance mentorships with artists in NSW to create new work for Australian Circus Festivals.
Timothy Eddy (Lennox Head) will undertake a three-month internship at Taxi Film Production in Brisbane to receive regular mentoring from their directors, leading to the creation of new work in Australia and internationally.
Rhiannon Ersser (Albury) will create a new independent circus piece consisting of two performers aged 18 and 19 that will tour circus and fringe festivals.
Tayla Martin (Nyngan) will carry out a professional development and mentoring program to develop a new body of work about her far-west hometown of Nyngan. The program will include a structured 12-month mentorship with photographer Lee Grant, portfolio reviews, workshop attendance and studio visits.
Ben Rodwell (Bathurst) will develop a directing practice through a week-long directing course and combine with knowledge from working with international and nationally based children’s theatre companies to create a short development with the support and mentorship of regionally based artists.
Johanna Williams (Bathurst) will develop her skills as a playwright/dramaturge through internships and attendance of arts festivals and conferences to develop new work that will involve creative development and mentorships in Bathurst.
Reflecting on the importance of backing young emerging artists Create NSW CEO Michael Brealey says, ‘Supporting emerging artists is a vital step in building a stronger, richer and more diverse arts and cultural offering here in NSW, and we are always delighted to find such an incredible group of artists that we can help at the start of their artistic journeys.’ He continues, ‘This Scholarship offers truly once-in-a-lifetime professional development opportunities that cross both international and national boundaries. We’ve seen from previous recipients just what is possible, and we’re really excited to welcome our new artists with this unique learning experience.’