Young Artists Grants | Carclew

Local Actress Turned Global Star Shabana Azeez Encourages Young Artists to Apply for Carclew Grants for Emerging South Australian Artists

South Australia’s next generation of creatives is being encouraged to take a bold step forward, with applications now open for Carclew’s expanded grants program – offering a total of $400,000 in funding to support emerging artists across the state.

Leading the call-out is Adelaide-born actress Shabana Azeez, now gaining international attention for her role in the HBO series The Pitt. Azeez is urging young artists to apply, drawing on her own experience as a Carclew-supported creative early in her career.

“Carclew backed me as an early career artist in Adelaide when I was starting out locally and trying to create opportunities for myself,” she said. “Their support gave me community and the means to upskill – I will always be grateful.”

Azeez is not alone in her success story. Filmmaker Emma Hough Hobbs also benefited from early Carclew funding and has since gained international recognition for her award-winning film Lesbian Space Princess. She credits the grant with giving her the time and space to refine her creative voice and bring projects to life.

Visual artist Lucinda Penn, whose vibrant murals can be seen across South Australia – from the Adelaide Central Market to Adelaide Airport and regional communities – also points to Carclew’s support as a turning point. 

“It gave me the confidence to keep going and the motivation to build momentum,” she said.

The newly expanded program represents the largest funding boost in Carclew’s history. According to Acting Chief Executive Robyn Jones, the investment is designed to break down barriers and open up more opportunities for young creatives.

“This investment meaningfully increases young people’s access to the arts across South Australia,” she said. “It supports them to build sustainable creative futures.”

Key changes to the program include increased funding of up to $20,000 for small to medium youth arts organisations, the introduction of quick-response grants of up to $750, and, for the first time, two funding rounds per year – allowing more projects to be supported more frequently.

The initiative is delivered through the South Australian Government’s cultural policy, A Place to Create, with Arts Minister Kyam Maher reinforcing the state’s commitment to nurturing creative talent.

“This investment is about ensuring young South Australians have access to the opportunities and support they need to build careers in the arts right here in our state,” he said.

With rising barriers facing emerging artists, the expanded grants program is designed to provide critical early-stage support, helping creatives turn ideas into professional practice.

Applications are open now and close on 14 May 2026. The program is open to individual artists, youth organisations, and emerging creatives across metropolitan, regional and remote South Australia.

For more information or to apply, visit Carclew’s website.

For more information and all enquiries please visit the Carclew website

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

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