SYDNEY.- Ellen Ferrier, Ellie Hannon, Ali Noble, Vedika Rampal, Joel Sherwood Spring and Ali Tahayori have been named as the finalists for the Create NSW and Artspace 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging). These six shortlisted emerging visual artists will receive invaluable support, curatorial advocacy and exposure to the industry and wider NSW arts audiences.

The long-standing fellowship has been a successful platform for nurturing the immense talent within NSW’s visual arts community for more than 120 years. In partnership with Create NSW and Artspace, the annual NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) opportunity supports emerging visual arts practitioners to challenge and expand their practice under the mentorship of Artspace’s curatorial team.

This important curatorial support will see the six shortlisted applicants realise works for the 2025 NSW Visual Art Fellowship (Emerging) Exhibition at Artspace in August 2025.

At the exhibition official launch, one shortlisted artist will be named as recipient of the prestigious $30,000 fellowship, enabling the emerging artist to undertake a self-directed program of professional development and significant career advancement.

Previous recipients of the Fellowship include Gillian Kayrooz (2024), Morgan Hogg (2023), Eddie Abd (2022), Dennis Golding (2020), Shivanjani Lal (2019), Claudia Nicholson (2017), Consuelo Cavaniglia (2016), Heath Franco (2015), Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran (2014), Jamie North (2013), Soda Jerk (2011), Khaled Sabsabi (2010), Diego Bonetto (2008) and Tony Schwenson (1988).

Create NSW Director of Arts, Karen Rodgers said: “The calibre of shortlisted artists for the 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) is second to none, representing the diversity and dynamism of artistic practice across NSW. Being selected for this important program is a significant achievement and milestone in the professional development of all our finalists.

“Artspace’s annual commitment to collaboration and mentorship of each shortlisted recipient delivers an unforgettable visual art exhibition which is a must-see highlight in the NSW contemporary arts calendar.”

Michelle Newton, Interim Executive Director, Artspace said: “The NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) program, presented at Artspace, brings together early career artists in conversation with an early career curator, mentored by the Artspace senior curatorial. This is really an opportunity for them to build new networks, develop skills and present their work in a generative, inspiring and professional environment.

“Congratulations to all six shortlisted finalists Ellen Ferrier, Ellie Hannon, Ali Noble, Vedika Rampal, Joel Sherwood Spring and Ali Tahayori, and I look forward to seeing what they develop for the Fellowship exhibition.”