Amelia Skelton has been named as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) at the official exhibition launch at Artspace, Sydney.
Selected from a strong shortlist of talented artists including Virginia Keft, Charles Levi, Tia Madden, Sue Jo Wright and collaborative duo Natasha Dubler and Caitlin Dubler, Amelia Skelton has been awarded the $30,000 Fellowship to pursue a 12-month self-directed program of professional development to further her artistic practice.
“It is a pleasure to celebrate Amelia Skelton as the recipient of the 2026 Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging). For more than 120 years, VAF(E) has championed artists at formative moments in their careers, many of whom have gone on to shape the cultural landscape of Australia and achieve international recognition. We are delighted to see Amelia join this extraordinary community,” said Victor Wang, Artspace Executive Director.
“At Artspace, we see VAF(E) as more than an award. It is part of a broader ecosystem of support, dialogue and opportunity that helps artists build sustainable and ambitious careers. It has been wonderful to see this year’s shortlisted artists – Virginia Keft, Charles Levi, Tia Madden, Amelia Skelton, Sue Jo Wright, Natasha Dubler and Caitlin Dubler – engage with the opportunities provided through the VAF(E) program.”
“Through the exhibition, professional development initiatives and peer exchange, the cohort has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to their practices while contributing to a generous dialogue around contemporary art in New South Wales,” said Wang.
The finalists were assessed by a panel of industry peers which included; Victor Wang, Artspace Executive Director, Ali Tahayori, 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) Recipient; Kyra Kum-Sing, Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative curator and Adam Porter, Head of Curatorial, Campbelltown Arts Centre.
The 2026 Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) Exhibition curated by Josephine Skinner and Eleni Vergotis, featuring all Fellowship finalists’ works, is on now at Artspace in the Gunnery, Woolloomooloo, until 6 September.
The NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) program is developed and curated by Artspace, Sydney, in partnership with the NSW Government through Create NSW. This long-running program offers the NSW visual arts community a supportive platform that connects the next generation of artists with mentors and opens doors to new opportunities at this pivotal career stage.
“Congratulations to Amelia Skelton and all our talented finalists – Charles, Sue, Tia, Virginia, Natasha and Caitlin,” said Kerri Glasscock, Create NSW Executive Director.
“This extraordinary group of contemporary visual artists are continuing the Fellowship’s enduring legacy since it originated in 1900, exploring diverse perspectives and thought-provoking ideas through powerful, engaging art – giving us an inspiring, unmissable exhibition.”
“Every year, with Artspace’s support and curatorial expertise, this vital Fellowship program introduces audiences to some of the country’s most exciting new voices in contemporary art and offers artists a major launch pad for their careers.”
Over many decades, the Fellowship has earned the reputation as being a springboard for emerging artists and a highlight in the NSW visual arts calendar. Recent recipients of the Fellowship include Ali Tahayori (2025), Gillian Kayrooz (2024) Morgan Hogg (2023), Eddie Abd (2022), and Dennis Golding (2020).
The search will soon begin for next year’s shortlist of talented finalists with applications opening for the 2027 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) program from 27 July until 14 September 2026.
The 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) exhibition is now on display at Artspace, Woolloomooloo, until Sunday 6 September 2026. For more information, visit: www.artspace.org.au for details.
Image: 2026 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) Recipient, Amelia Skelton (centre) with Victor Wang, Executive Director, Artspace and Ms. Julia Finn MP – photo by Anna Kučera