Shabana Azeez, star of HBO hit series The Pitt, has urged young artists to apply for a share of $400k in grants being offered through Carclew, SA's cultural institution dedicated to children and young people.
Backed by Carclew as a young artist starting, Shabana says her experience highlights the role early funding and creative community can play in building a career.
"Carclew backed me as an early career artist in Adelaide when I was starting out locally and trying to create opportunities for myself," she said.
"Their support gave me community and the means to upskill — I will always be grateful."
Also benefiting from early Carclew support was filmmaker Emma Hough Hobbs, the creative force behind award-winning film Lesbian Space Princess, which has gained international recognition.
"As an emerging artist still discovering my own voice, having that early grant backing made a huge difference to exploring and presenting my work," Emma says.
"It gives you the space and intention to develop your art, as well as the motivation to finish projects to your best ability and continue to build that momentum.”
Likewise, Lucinda Penn - a celebrated and award-winning visual artist with large-scale murals featured at South Australian sites like the Adelaide Markets and the Adelaide Airport - says she was also grateful to receive this funding at the start of her career.
"I love what I do, working with communities and bringing colour into people’s lives through my art," she says.
"Looking back, it was grants like this that not only gave me the confidence to keep going, but also being part of the Carclew community was invaluable. 
I really encourage all the young artists out there with a dream to apply and have a go."
The $400,000 grant program is the most significant boost to youth arts funding in the organisation’s history.
Carclew Acting Chief Executive Robyn Jones says the investment marks a significant step forward for the state’s creative sector.
"This investment meaningfully increases young people’s access to the arts across South Australia," she says.
"It removes barriers, opens doors to opportunity and supports young people to build sustainable creative futures."
The expanded program introduces funding increases of up to $20,000 for small to medium youth arts organisations, new quick-response grants, and, for the first time, two annual funding rounds for organisations, enabling more projects more often and strengthening support for and capacity in the youth arts sector in South Australia.
Delivered through the South Australian Government’s A Place to Create cultural policy, the investment will see Carclew significantly expand access to funding, with a strong focus on youth-focused organisations, capacity building, and increased support for regional and underrepresented young creatives.
Applications are now open and close on 14 May 2026.
For more information, visit www.carclew.com.au (external site).
