Arts and Culture- NXT Gen ARTS (NGA) 2026-27

The NXT Gen ARTS category supports structured career development for early career artists aged 18-25 through a work experience placement with a host NT arts organisation or approved creative industries business. The program aims to provide hands on experience in the creative industries and strengthen employment pathways for young people in the NT arts and culture sector. Funding available Up to $13,000 per application, per financial year ($10,000 for the early career artist and $3,000 for the host organisation) is available to individuals aged 18 to 25. Key information Applications open at 8am on 1 October 2026 Applications close at 2pm on 2 November 2026 Assessed by Panel Notification from 14 December 2026 Activity must start after execution of the funding agreement Case study report due 3 months after completion of the approved activity The work experience placement must be a structured work experience and career development opportunity that is additional to the host organisation’s existing staffing structure and not an allocation against an existing position, vacancy or ordinary staffing requirement. Applicants must provide a placement plan produced in collaboration with their host organisation, outlining the program structure and expected outcomes. If you do not have a host organisation, please submit an so Arts NT can help connect you with one. Arts organisations or creative industries businesses seeking a young artist to host can also submit an EOI to Arts NT. Successful recipients will be invited, as a condition of the program, to participate in Arts NT’s longitudinal study of emerging artist retention in the NT. Further information about participation and consent requirements will be provided in the funding agreement. The study will provide important information to analyse the career trajectories of emerging artists supported through NXT Gen Arts program by identifying factors that influence retention or departure from the arts sector in the NT.