Students from regional and remote Australia will be supported to study the creative arts through a new scholarship program worth $1 million.
The Morrison Government will provide $18,000 to 50 undergraduate creative arts students from regional and remote areas to assist with course fees, purchasing study materials, accommodation and living expenses. The new scholarships will be available in 2021.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the scholarships would provide support for students to undertake internships, to increase their work experience and to engage with the creative arts industry while they study.
“These scholarships support our Government’s plan to lift the education attainment for students in regional Australia and strengthen the relationship between students and industry to drive workforce participation and productivity,” Mr Tehan said.
“The work experience element in the scholarships will help students build networks, connect with employers and transition to employment in the sector after their degree. Financial support with the costs of travel, accommodation and textbooks will help Australians from regional and rural areas to achieve their ambition of obtaining a higher education degree.”
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the cultural and creative arts sector supported more than 600,000 Australians and contributed $115 billion to the economy.
“Our scholarships will provide more opportunities, particularly for Indigenous students, to study towards a career in Australia’s vibrant creative arts industry,” Mr Fletcher said.
“The scholarship program builds on the Morrison Government’s $250 million package announced on 25 June 2020, and the $27 million support package dedicated to Indigenous visual arts centres, regional arts and the live music and performance industry announced on 9 April 2020.”
