Creative Australia has announced the recipients of nine scholarships – seven under the Marten Bequest, the Lady Mollie Isabelle Askin Ballet Scholarship and the Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarship.

The Marten Bequest awards $50,000 to support an exceptional emerging artist in pursuing interstate and international development opportunities. The Bequest is awarded to those who work in the fields of instrumental music, acting, painting and poetry.

Iolanthe (right) and Janet Anderson in Sistren. Photo © Brett Boardman

Iolanthe Gold has been awarded the Bequest for acting. Known mononymously as Iolanthe, the actress, writer and model made her playwriting debut with Griffin Theatre Company with SISTREN in 2025 and took home Best Newcomer at the Sydney Theatre Awards. She made her mainstage debut in 2021 in seven methods of killing kylie jenner.

Musicians Natalie Mavridis and Harley Coleman have also been awarded the Bequest for Instrumental Music.

Violinist Natalie Mavridis is a graduate of the Australian National Academy of Music. She has performed with groups including the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Melbourne, Tasmanian and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, and is a member of both Ensemble Apex and the Rosina Quartet.

Sydney-based composer and...