As a commitment to nurturing artists we provide a number of fellowships and residencies.

The Balnaves Foundation and Belvoir St Theatre are committed to supporting new work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre artists.

In 2025 the Fellowship continues to evolve to meet the needs of the artistic community. The Fellowship is open to playwrights to write a new play and also to directors or writer/directors that can lead the creation of an Indigenous-led new stage work, whether that be a new play, an adaptation or through a devised process. It also includes an invitation to have a voice in Belvoir’s artistic decision-making.

This year, the Fellowship model will see the selected Fellow (playwright or director or writer/director) receive $45,000 over an 18-month period to create a new work as a resident artist at Belvoir in 2025/26, subject to negotiation with the Fellow’s availability and location.

In addition to the financial support for the Fellow, resources will also be provided to the project being developed. Creative milestones, placement within Belvoir, resourcing and collaboration will be discussed with the selected Fellow.

The Fellowship model seeks to be deeply collaborative and to support the selected Fellow to create a work for the stage, engage the Fellow in the experience of being in a company structure, and offers the opportunity to support other Indigenous artists through Belvoir’s creative development and programming processes.

The Balnaves Fellowship (previously the Balnaves Award) has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia, attracting entrants of the highest calibre. Previous recipients (including Leah Purcell, Nakkiah Lui, Ursula Yovich and Nathan Maynard) have submitted exceptional works that consistently affirms the depth of talent amongst our nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre-makers, whilst bringing extraordinary works to the Belvoir stage.

The platform that the Balnaves Fellowship has created for me has really helped expand my vision as a theatre maker, and has given me access to some of strongest creatives in the country. I’ve been able to participate in creative discussions and observe rehearsal room processes that, as an actor, I would normally not have access to. An opportunity like this is rare and I would strongly recommend to any mob out there looking to level up on their artistic journey.
– Guy Simon, 2023 Balnaves Fellow

Since 2011 The Balnaves Foundation has supported the presentation of two Indigenous-led works per year as part of Belvoir’s annual season. The Balnaves Foundation is committed to working towards reconciliation and has supported numerous Indigenous arts projects including the creative development of I Am Eora and Black Diggers for Sydney Festival.

Recipients

2023 – Guy Simon
2022 – Dalara Williams
2021 – Thomas Weatherall
2020 – Jorjia Gillis
2019 – Nathan Maynard
2018 – Kodie Bedford
2017 – Megan Wilding
2016 – Ursula Yovich
2015 – Katie Beckett
2014 – Leah Purcell
2013 – Jada Alberts
2012 – Nakkiah Lui

Belvoir invites applications for the 2026 Andrew Cameron Fellow.

This Fellowship is a unique Artistic Associate role at Belvoir, created through the generosity of Andrew Cameron AM and Cathy Cameron. Since 2017, it has nurtured emerging artistic leaders, offering hands-on experience at the heart of one of Australia’s leading theatre companies.

The Fellow works closely with Belvoir’s Artistic and Programming team, gaining practical experience across directing, creative development, programming, and company leadership. It is an opportunity to develop your artistic practice, engage with the sector, and contribute to the future of theatre in Australia.

• Term: One–two years (with an unpaid two-month slot out each year for external projects)
• Salary: $52,000 + superannuation, annual and sick leave
• Location: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills (NSW)
• Start date: 5 January 2026 (full-time availability required 16 Feb – 1 Apr 2026)
• Deadline: 5pm (AEST), Friday 17 October 2025

Belvoir is committed to supporting the development of artists who face structural barriers in accessing these opportunities. As part of the experience of working within Belvoir’s Artistic and Programming Team, the Fellow will also be offered mentorship by Artistic Associates and the Producing team to ensure they have appropriate structures of support. 

Applications from First Nations, Culturally and/or Linguistically Diverse, d/Deaf or hard of hearing, Disabled, Neurodiverse, and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTIQA+) artists are encouraged.

How to Apply
– Submit a cover letter (max 2 pages) and CV addressing your creative leadership experience and suitability for the role.
– Applications should be sent to [email protected].
– Full details and selection criteria are available in the Andrew Cameron Fellowship Information Pack.

2024 Andrew Cameron Fellow

Margaret Thanos was awarded the 2024 Andrew Cameron Fellowship.

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The Associates Program is a capacity-building initiative for the Associate, Assistant and Observing Artists working across the annual Belvoir season, works in development, as well creative artists making their mainstage debut.

It includes a stream focused on POC participants delivered in collaboration with Co-Curious (lead by Belvoir Artistic Associate S. Shakthidharan and Belvoir Producer Zainab Syed).

The program sees these artists attached to mainstage productions or creative developments, mentored by senior artists and the company’s Artistic Associates. They are also invited to become a part of a community of affiliated artists comprised of directors, designers, playwrights, dramaturgs, stage managers and more. These associate artists are empowered to create their own pathway through the program via a series of curated opportunities that they can pick and choose from. This includes tickets to shows, invites to talks and masterclasses and show observation when available.

Our new Associates Program will be run by our Resident Directors Carissa Licciardello and Hannah Goodwin, and Producer Zainab Syed.

Announcing the Belvoir 2022 Artistic Associates

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