About the Grants.

Since its establishment in 1983, CAPO, a volunteer non-profit organization, has disbursed nearly $4 million in arts fellowships and awards. Funded by auction sales and sponsorship from the arts and business communities in Canberra.

Explore the list of grants available for 2025 below. Grants open Monday 4 August and close Wednesday 24 September 2025.

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Helpful documents:

  • CAPO Fellowship (max $15,000)

    The CAPO Fellowship is CAPO’s most prestigious award. This award is open to applications from established artists working in any discipline or art form and are residents of Canberra and the region only. No specific sum of money is set aside for the CAPO Fellowship. As with all types of CAPO assistance, it is subject to the availability of funds.

    The selected CAPO Fellow is expected to act as an ambassador for CAPO, and to ensure that the CAPO name is given positive exposure during the term of the Fellowship. Applicants for the CAPO Fellowship should be of high standing in their chosen field. This should be demonstrated by evidence of commitment to their practice over a significant period of time.

    The purpose of the CAPO Fellowship is to enable an artist to concentrate on their project for a set period of time (up to one year). Normally this assistance will be aimed at enabling an artist to complete a body of work, develop a new technique, or simply improve the standard of their work by concentrating on it more fully for that period.

  • Rosalie Gascoigne Memorial Award (max $5,000)

    Rosalie Gascoigne Memorial Award is in the spirit of the great Australian artist, Canberra resident and CAPO supporter Rosalie Gascoigne (1917-1999).

    This award supports the creation of new work by any visual artists. This award is open to applications from practising artists resident in Canberra and the region only.

    The Rosalie Gascoigne Memorial Award is generously supported by The Tall Foundation.

  • Megalo Print Studio Edition Award ($5,000)

    Megalo Print Studio is a leading printmaking facility in Canberra, dedicated to fostering creativity and excellence in print media. With a fully equipped studio and a commitment to supporting artists at all levels, Megalo provides an inspiring space for printmakers to experiment, learn, and produce high-quality work.

    Megalo’s renowned Residency Program offers artists the opportunity to engage deeply with printmaking, develop new work, and access expert guidance. Residents benefit from studio access, technical support, and a creative community that encourages artistic exploration.

    As part of the 2025 CAPO Canberra Awards, Megalo is offering an in-kind Residency Award valued at $5000, which includes:

    - 4 weeks of studio access to work in a professional printmaking environment

    - $300 materials allowance to support project development

    - Dedicated staff support to assist with the production of an edition or series of works

    - Tuition or guidance in a print medium if the artist wishes to learn new techniques

  • Robert Foster Memorial Award ($3,000)

    CAPO has established the Robert Foster Memorial Award to commemorate the outstanding contribution Robert Foster has made to the local, national and international arts community for the past 30 years.

    For many years F! NK has been a regular and generous donor to CAPO’s events.

    This award – originally funded by both CAPO and donations received – will go to a mid-career practitioner from the Canberra region working in metal and or design.

    The Robert Foster Memorial Award is generously supported by Penny and Wal Jurkiewicz and Independent Steel Company.

  • Tall Foundation Award ($3,000)

    This award is an open grant for an emerging artist to help research techniques/themes for a body of work.

  • Shaw & Partners Award ($3,000)

    This award is offered as a general grant to a visual artist.

  • Waldren Constructions General Award ($2,500)

    This award will be awarded to a visual artist.

  • Michele Black Memorial Award - Creations of Manuka ($2,000)

    This award is offered for a mid-career artist in any of the specified art disciplines.

  • Craft + Design Canberra Outstanding Practice Award ($2,000)

    This grant will be awarded to an Accredited Professional Member of Craft + Design Canberra.

  • Capital Chemist Award ($1,500)

    A general grant for a mid-career visual artist.

  • All Insure Emerging Artist Awards (3 x $1000)

    These three grants will be awarded to emerging artists in any of the specified art disciplines.

  • MPS Awards (2 x $1,000)

    These two awards are offered for artists working in performance disciplines.

  • Urban Pantry Manuka Award ($1,000)

    This award is offered as a general grant to artists in any of the specified art disciplines.

  • Canberra Weekly Award ($1,000)

    This award is offered as a general grant to artists in any of the specified art disciplines.

  • Home By Holly Award ($1,000)

    This award is offered as a general grant to artists in any of the specified art disciplines.

  • Peter Radford & Co Award ($1000)

    This award is offered as a general grant to a sculpture artist.

  • PhotoAccess Award ($750)

    As part of the 2025 CAPO Canberra Awards, PhotoAccess is offering an in-kind Award valued at $750, which includes:

    - Annual membership

    - Workshop voucher to be used in the calendar year of the prize

    - A material stipend of Ilford film and/or paper

    - Ongoing mentoring and creative support

  • Cook Creative Writing Prize ($500)

    This prize is offered to creative writers.

  • Craft + Design Canberra Emerging Artist Award ($500)

    This grant will be awarded to an emerging artist who is a member of Craft + Design Canberra.

  • Boris Property Emerging Artist Award ($500)

    This grant will be awarded to an emerging artist in any of the specified art discipline.

  • Canberra Museum and Gallery Award ($500)

    This award will be awarded to photographic artist.