WANDIMA FELLOWSHIP
WANDIMA FELLOWSHIP 2026
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
Applications for this years fellowship have now closed. The 2026 fellow will be announced soon.
WANDIMA (Wan as in wand; -di as in did; -ma) means rising; going upward.
This Jagera name was selected to represent moving up, elevation, going to a higher, deeper place in a chosen field eg the opportunity to develop new knowledge and skills and share existing. The rising and going upward refers to taking the participants to a higher level of experience and skills, learning, development, growth; rising up of Australian First Nations peoples into new and expanded horizons. This term has also been used for perform/song/dance. – Gaja Kerry Charlton
OBJECTIVES
The Wandima Fellowship is supported by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Brisbane Powerhouse. It provides an outstanding Indigenous Australian creative practitioner with a supported program of professional development, work experience and/or professional mentoring for up to one year.
The creative practitioner can come from any area of arts practice – for example an artist, designer, lighting designer, director, choreographer, musician, actor, curator or other area of diverse arts practice. Arts administrators, producers, theatre technicians or production crew are also encouraged to apply.
Participation in the Fellowship should build upon the recipient’s skills and passions to establish industry connections and pathways for their career.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Under the leadership of CEO/Artistic Director and Brisbane Powerhouse team, in consultation with Brisbane Powerhouse’s First Nations Advisor, the successful candidate will be supported in the design of a program which would include:
- Internship or Residency at Brisbane Powerhouse
- Internship with other suitable arts company
- Support in identifying creative development opportunities in Australia or internationally
- Courses or Programs that build capacity and extend experience
Internships at Brisbane Powerhouse might include working alongside the CEO/Artistic Director, or other producing staff in the delivery of the program or program of activities, attachment to the Production Department for any technical production graduates; working alongside a curator to scope and deliver a visual arts exhibition or other activities that align with the Fellow and their area of interest and goals.
The Wandima Fellowship is supported by Queensland University of Technology.
QUT and Brisbane Powerhouse acknowledge the First Nations owners of the lands on which we gather and pay our respects to the Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits of this country.
For thousands of years, the First Nations owners have gathered to share their knowledge and stories. We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples as the original storytellers of these lands and acknowledge the important role they play within our communities.
We acknowledge the young leaders who are working beside our Elders in our cultural institutions and industries and recognise their long and continuing connection to country.
Photo credit: Photography by Simon Woods. “Leading Ladies” (for Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre) featuring 2022 Wandima Fellow, Nicole Reilly.
