Bursaries to help arts students with rising costs

Published: 07 Oct 2020

Three exciting bursaries are open now for visual and performing arts students.

In total, $5000 is up for grabs.

And they couldn’t come at a better time, with the cost of studying arts degrees at university set to double after an overhaul of tertiary education announced by the Federal Government was passed this week by the Senate.

Two bursaries are available for visual and creative arts students – the $1000 Rick Wood Bursary (available to school leavers) and the $3000 Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursary (available for currently-studying tertiary students).

The MECC’s $1000 Jack Sturgeon Bursary is for performing arts students who have been accepted into tertiary studies in any aspect of the performing arts.

Mayor Greg Williamson said studying arts degrees far from home was a huge step that took courage.

“For a young person to follow their dreams and embark on a tertiary degree to further their skills and hopefully turn their passion into a career is brave – and expensive,” Mayor Williamson said.

“These students deserve a hand-up, and with these three bursaries offered by the MECC and Artspace Mackay, council is proud to be able to offer some support to offset rising costs.

“These bursary recipients could well be the next Karen Jacobsen, Graeme Connors, Jason Chetcuti or Anthony Bennett.”

The Mayor said Artspace Mackay’s Rick Wood Bursary honours the memory of the late Rick Wood, a celebrated Mackay potter.

“Artspace made the decision to split the Hands On Bursary into a $1000 bursary and a $3000 bursary because school-leavers were struggling to compete against tertiary students with university works in their portfolios,” he said.

“This way students entering university can help pay for tuition fees, textbooks, equipment or expenses required as part of their studies.

“The same goes for the MECC’s $1000 bursary, which is named in honour of the co-founder of the Mackay Musical Comedy Players and life-long supporter of the arts, Jack Sturgeon.

“The Artspace Foundation Bursary, which is for $3000, is more geared towards visual arts students looking to take their tertiary study to the next level.

“For example, last year’s (Hands On Bursary) recipient, fashion designer Tristan Kane, spent a month touring India, learning about woven textiles and working with local artisans.”

Both bursaries are now open and close Tuesday, December 8, 2020.

For terms and conditions and to apply for the Rick Wood or Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursaries, head to artspacemackay.com.au/learning/bursary

For terms and conditions and to apply for the Jack Sturgeon Bursary, head to themecc.com.au/education/bursaries