Led by Accessible Arts in partnership with Access2Arts, the 2026 Next Level Creative Mentorship Program has expanded to support writers, musicians, dancers, choreographers, actors, directors and/or producers with disability or who are d/Deaf from NSW, SA, NT and the ACT.

Ten artists with disability working in the performing arts will be provided with $3000 in project funding and access to a mentorship within a leading performing arts organisation to develop an innovative new project.

Mentorships will take place within one of our Partnering Organisations (listed below) and will result in the opportunity to develop a project concept brief and prepare it for effective pitches to relevant companies, venues, artistic directors, and producers. This is a hybrid program with both professional and project development outcomes.

Over a period of five months, a dedicated mentor will work individually with the selected participants to:

• Assess your creative concept
• Develop your concept into a project brief
• Provide advice on drafting a detailed project outline, including budgets, timelines, deliverables, and key contacts
• Provide guidance regarding potential pitch meeting opportunities with relevant companies, venues, artistic directors and/or producers

The program will involve facilitated sessions with a mentor and self-directed tasks. The mentor will be available for a total of 20 hours. The Next Level Creative Mentorship Program will be undertaken and completed between May – October 2026.

Partnering Organisations

• Australian Dance Theatre (SA)
• Bangarra Dance Theatre (NSW)
• Bell Shakespeare (NSW)
• Canberra Theatre Centre (ACT)
• Gravity and Other Myths (SA)
• Merrigong Theatre Company (NSW)
• Patch Theatre (SA)
• PYT Fairfield (NSW)
• State Theatre Company South Australia (SA)
• Monkey Baa (NSW)
• Tracks Dance Company (NT)

Access

Applicants will need to provide information on their access requirements via the application form.

Successful applicants and partnering organisations will be provided with Access Rider and Creative Access Training facilitated by Accessible Arts.

Accessible Arts will provide access support to both the host organisations and the mentees throughout the mentorship program.

Who can apply?

• Applicants must identify as being d/Deaf or a person with disability
• Applicants must reside in New South Wales, South Australia, Northern Territory or the ACT
• Applicants must be an emerging or mid-career writer, actor, musician, dancer, choreographer, director and/or producer
• Applicants must be over the age of 18 when applying
• Applicants must have previous experience at any level in the performing arts industry

Apply Now

Before applying, please read the Next Level Program Application Guidelines: Word | PDF

Click here to apply online via Survey Monkey

Alternatively, you can download the application form: Word | PDF

If you are unable to access the online application form, applications can be submitted in alternative accessible formats, including Auslan or video. Please contact the Accessible Arts team if you would like to submit your application in another format before the application deadline.

If you have any questions, please email info@aarts.net.au. Our team is also available from 10am – 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for phone enquires on (02) 9251 6499.

Applications close at 11pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026

Applications will be assessed by a panel of Accessible Arts and Access2Arts staff, including people with disability. Compatibility of the applicant and the project idea with the host organisation will be considered. Applications will be reviewed and selected in consultation with the host organisations.

All applicants will be notified of the results by April 2026.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Accessible Arts Principal Funder: Create NSW. Access2Arts Principal Funder: Government of South Australia.

ENDS

Image Description: Multi-coloured block text reads: Next Level. Underneath white text reads: Next Level Creative Mentorship.