Up to 20 early-career artists will be given the opportunity to kickstart their professional creative careers, with expressions of interest now open for the 2026–27 round of Tantrum’s Cartwheel program.
This year, Cartwheel is specifically open to Hunter artists from performance-based disciplines, such as theatre, dance, music, and performance art. The selected artists will be welcomed into a year-long program of free professional development opportunities carefully curated by Tantrum Youth Arts, the Hunter region’s hub for new artists.
This includes tailored masterclasses with leading practitioners, arts business skills workshops, excursions to see nationally significant contemporary work, and invitations to industry events that will place the artists at the centre of the professional arts sector.
Cartwheel is open to Hunter-based artists from all performance-based disciplines who are aged over 18 and in the first five years of their arts career. Expressions of interest for the program close at 11:59pm on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Creative Director at Tantrum Youth Arts, Nel Kentish said Cartwheel is designed to empower early-career artists with the skills and confidence to build a sustainable creative career.
“It’s really important to know how to back yourself as an artist,” Nel said.
“Because being an artist isn’t just about making art. There are so many other skills that artists need – like grant writing, marketing and business skills. Cartwheel allows artists to develop the confidence in these areas to make their art happen.”
Nel said Cartwheel also provides the chance to connect with other artists, developing a network of support that is crucial for sustainable arts careers.
“It’s also about building community. It’s so important to know other artists, even if they practice different artforms for you, and to have a network of support. Cartwheel is a whole year of free training in all of these things along with a ready-made community of other fantastic local artists.”
IMAGE | Tantrum’s early-career artist event SURGE for New Annual 2025. Photo taken by Brydie Piaf.
