Named Grants

All Named Grants are awarded yearly at the discretion of the Grants Panel and are awarded to exceptional applicants in the relevant arts category.

• Amy Young Award for Vocalists

• BLOC and Ballarat Lyric Theatre Award for Performing Arts/Musical Theatre

• Craig Revel Horwood Award for Contemporary Dance and Choreography

• Di Bresciani Drawing & Painting Award

• Emma Barrance Inclusive Arts Award

• Federation University Award for Creative Community Impact

• Fiona Sweet & Paul Newcombe Award for Photography

• Haymes Family Foundation Award

• Isobella Foundation Award

• Jack Anderson Award for Film Making

• Jess Crowe Memorial Award in support of Tertiary Education

• Jean Read Award for Piano

• Louis Stevens Award for Musicianship for classical or jazz musicians, composers and conductors

• Nicholson Award for Contemporary Performance

• Norman Hofmaier Award for Contemporary Art

• Rotary Club of Ballarat South Award for Visual and Performing Arts

• Stubbs Roberts Award

• VJ Award for Overseas Study

• Will Coltman Award for Writing

Eureka Art Award

The Eureka Art Award is a unique opportunity for BAF Alumni to exhibit works in a group exhibition. Works in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and mixed media are encouraged. A maximum of three works can be submitted.

Denis Bateman Award

Denis Bateman was President of the Rotary Club of Ballarat South in the year 2000 and one of the instigators of the Foundation. Members of the Club provided seed funding to create the Ballarat Arts Foundation and continue to support the organisation annually. The Denis Bateman award exists to honour an individual who has made a long term commitment to the local Arts Community, indeed a reflection of the dedication of the Rotary Club of Ballarat South to the Arts in this regional centre.

The list of awardees since the inception of the award in 2010 is a distinguished one. Congratulations to:
2010 Peter Dale OAM
2011 Barb Dunlop
2012 Graeme Vendy OAM
2013 Val Sarah AM
2014 Michael Whitehead
2015 Janet Low OAM
2016 Julian Oldfield
2017 Dr. Tony Cole
2018 Peter Morey
2019 Beverley Horwood OAM
2021 Carmel Flynn
2022 Gordon Williamson 2023 Cathy Heenan

The 2023 Dennis Bateman Award was granted to Cathy Heenan. The following is a precis of Tim Gay’s speech, delivered at the 2023 Dennis Bateman Award night. Tim Gay nominated Cathy Heenan for the award.

Cathy has been a supporter within our theatre community since her teen years, starting with the Ballarat Youth Theatre. As well as being a huge support to husband Matthew (who looks after the technical side of most shows produced locally), Cathy has overseen the make-up department for ALL productions for more than 30 years, never any demarcation between companies or teams involved. She has provided a training ground for many youngsters within her team, always willing to give someone a go. Many under her guidance have gone onto much bigger and better things in theatre, television, and beauty therapy. Cathy has had health issues over recent years, yet this did not stop her dedication to the job at hand. Her contribution and support is immeasurable and goes way beyond expectations. She strives to create a quiet and calm space for actors to prepare for their performances, always helping with costume, hair, and mic. changes. Cathy has run the box office at the Wendouree Performing Arts Centre for many years, assisting with the successful season of countless productions. A remarkable woman and friend to so many.

Criteria

Much of the work recognised will be in a voluntary capacity. The individual would have played significant roles within many community organisations, not necessarily all within the Arts, but would have made a substantial contribution to this area. There would be an obvious dedication to the fostering of the Ballarat Arts Community and particularly emerging artists, specifically with the aim to improve and enhance the local arts culture through the development and provision of new opportunities.

Nominations for this award need to be forwarded to the Ballarat Arts Foundation (ea@ballaratartsfoundation.org.au) by the end of April each year.

Ellinor Morcom Scholarships

Ellinor Morcom Scholarships are awarded to students from the Ballarat area, in any Faculty of the University of Melbourne, who are residing at Ormond College. This Scholarship honours the significant contribution Ellinor made to the arts community of Ballarat, especially in music, and her continued support through her estate and other local donors. The Ballarat Arts Foundation does not provide funds for these Scholarships, but promotes them to the wider community. Applications for the Ellinor Morcom Scholarship close in mid-February each year, and are announced at the Commencement Dinner at Ormond College Melbourne University shortly afterwards.

BAF Encouragement Awards

The BAF Encouragement Awards are offered to participants in the vocal and classical dance sections of the Royal South Street Society Competitions in July/August each year. This is a well-established cultural event that runs for 14 weeks annually, hosting 40,000 on-stage appearances. The winner in each category is chosen from competitors who entered a prescribed number of sections, and who live within a 75 km radius of Ballarat CBD, and who are, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, worthy of encouragement.

• $100 to the competitor with the highest points across all divisions in section 360, 14 to under 16 year old classical solo (vocal and classical dance sections).

• $100 to the competitor with the highest points across all divisions in section 370, 16 year old and over classical solo.

The competition showcases 14 theatrical disciplines including voice, music, and movement, and attracts young artists from across the state. For more information, visit www.royalsouthstreet.com.au/

Small Equipment Grants

This grant of up to $350 is designed to support emerging artists in the purchase of essential equipment for their creative practice. Find out more.

2022
Sian Dowler, Rachel Power, Sami Regague, Wade Carmen, Lauren Matthews, Spencer Harrison, Jeremy Beggs Jaqueline Matisse, Amanda Western, Joy Warren Leah Heinrich,

2023
Callan Barclay, Joshua Lucassen, Chih Min Chiang, Mairin Briody