Those pursuing creative careers eligible for $5000 in bursaries

Studying the arts also usually involves studying away from home.

To help encourage our region’s future creatives to overcome these hurdles and follow their dreams, council is offering three exciting bursaries for visual and performing arts students.

In total, $5000 is up for grabs.

Two bursaries are available for visual and creative arts students – the $1000 Rick Wood Bursary and the $3000 Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursary.

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 big step that took determination.

“You have to give credit to a young person who has the bravery and drive to back themselves and their creative talents by undertaking a tertiary degree, especially away from home,” 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,” he said.

“Our region also takes great pride in seeing Mackay people succeed and accomplish great things on the national and international stage.”

Artspace Mackay’s $1000 Rick Wood Bursary honours the memory of the late Rick Wood, a celebrated Mackay potter, and is for school graduates applying to study visual or creative arts.

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, is also for school graduates applying to study performing arts.

Manager MECC and Events Andrew Bobeldyk said the Jack Sturgeon Bursary for performing arts had been going for 22 years.

“One of the great things about this bursary is it covers the full gamut of entertainment – it’s not just for those wanting to be on stage performing, but also for those backstage directing and coordinating,” Mr Bobeldyk said.

“Performing artists in music, theatre, dance, comedy, cabaret or those with a passion for the technical aspects of theatre should apply,” he said.

Lastly, the Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursary is a $3000 bursary for tertiary students currently studying visual or creative arts.

Artspace director Tracey Heathwood said this bursary was geared towards visual arts students looking to take their tertiary study to the next level.

“Applicants in the past have used this bursary for a range of things – for example, to study abroad with expert tutors or undertake special projects, like major exhibitions, as part of their final years of study,” she said.

Both bursaries are now open and close Friday, October 6, 2023.

Bursaries will be presented in December this year.

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

Artspace Mackay Director Tracey Heathwood, 2023 Rick Wood Bursary recipient Anna Gavan, Artspace Foundation Bursary recipient Alana McAnulty and Mayor Greg Williamson at the presentation morning tea in February this year.