Broome-based dancer and Yawuru woman Tara Gower transformed her artistic career through the Artist Fund, using the opportunity to begin establishing an Indigenous dance studio that now serves her local community. This life-changing support gave her the resources and visibility to take her work to new heights.

Now, the Artist Fund is back and offering up to eight mid-career West Australian artists the same chance to secure funding, push boundaries and create impactful art that resonates far beyond the studio.

Nurturing mid-career artists for greater impact

The Artist Fund is designed to elevate the professional practice of mid-career artists who are at a critical point in their creative journey. Over the past five years, the Fund has supported a diverse range of artists who continue to shape the cultural landscape in innovative and impactful ways. From visual artists to dancers, musicians to writers, the Fund provides the support needed to tackle new challenges, evolve artistic practice and make lasting contributions to the community.

Grants and residencies to fuel artistic growth

For 2025, the Artist Fund will award six grants of $35,000 each, alongside two month-long residencies at Forrest Hall in Perth. This invaluable support allows artists to focus on their creative projects without financial constraints, encouraging them to take bold risks and explore new directions. All art forms are welcome and there are no restrictions on the type of project proposed.

But that’s not all—those selected for the 2025 cohort will also be in the running for the prestigious Minderoo Artist Award, a $50,000 prize presented to an outstanding artist by the judging panel.

The power of opportunity: Tara Gower’s story

One of the many success stories to come from the Artist Fund is Broome-based dancer and Yawuru woman Tara Gower. Since receiving the award, Tara has begun work to launch an Indigenous dance studio in Broome, expanding on the work she explored during her time in the Fund cohort. “The recognition has opened doors for me as a choreographer and allowed me to take on new projects, including creating a work for WA Ballet,” she says.

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