Creative Australia has named the 16 artists awarded a 2025 Creative Australia Fellowship.

The Fellowship grants $80,000 for established artists working in music, theatre, literature and visual arts over two years in order to support the development, expansion and sustainability of their creative practice. With additional investment from First Nations Arts, Writing Australia and Music Australia, this year marks the program’s largest round to date.

Lior sings Compassion at Canberra International Music Festival 2024. Photo © Peter Hislop

Singer-songwriter Lior is amongst this year’s Fellows and will use the Fellowship to develop a brand-new symphony for children with Nigel Westlake – with whom he collaborated on the song cycles Compassion and Ngapa William Cooper. He will also create a brand new album with Melbourne-based percussionist Neda Rahmani.

Relocating to Los Angeles, Gamilaraay songwriter Thelma Plum will write and record new works with internationally renowned creatives. Warnindhilyagwa woman Emily Wurramurra will collaborate with artists across Australia, Canada and the Philippines on her next body of work.

Hip hop artist L-FRESH The LION will draw on international models to develop a purpose-driven music space in South West Sydney. Music...