YouTube has committed AUD $135,000 worth of scholarships for three creative individuals to study at Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
“YouTube creates the accessible conditions within which diversity can flourish and where everyone has a voice – and we love being able to carry this over into the wider artistic and creative community,” said Ed Miles, Head of YouTube Content Partnerships.
“With so much talent in Australia, we are committed to helping uncover and foster the careers of creatives by investing in and supporting initiatives like this scholarship.”
“We hope that by providing this assistance, aspiring students who may not have otherwise considered applying to NIDA will be encouraged to do so, and form part of the new generation of diverse NIDA graduates,” said Mr Miles.
One scholarship worth approximately AUD $44,000 will be awarded each year for the next three years, to a student from a background which has historically been underrepresented on screen and stage. First Nations and People of Colour, people with a disability, from remote and regional areas or experiencing barriers to access are especially encouraged to apply.
Launching in 2021, the YouTube Scholarship will be awarded to a successful applicant to any of NIDA’s six Bachelor of Fine Arts undergraduate courses, which span acting, design for performance, costume-making, props-making, set construction and technical theatre and stage management.
The successful applicant will receive approx. AUD $14,500 per year for three years, to help with living expenses or cover the full course tuition fees. In acknowledgement of this extraordinary opportunity, the application deadline to study at NIDA next year has been extended to 30 October. Individuals who have already completed their application will benefit from the same deadline extension to apply for the scholarship.
“We wholeheartedly thank YouTube for their support of NIDA and the artistic community,” said Liz Hughes, NIDA CEO. “We want to encourage creative and passionate individuals across Australia to apply to study at NIDA and to remove barriers for individuals to do so.”
“The YouTube Scholarship provides invaluable support for three future students to attend NIDA; one commencing in 2021, one in 2022, and one in 2023. Our goal is for NIDA graduates to be representative of the diversity of contemporary Australia.”
“We want NIDA to be a place where every person feels supported and safe to bring their whole self, to tell stories, and so be a courageous and creative voice for the nation,” said Ms Hughes.
Billed alongside Juilliard and Yale as one of the world’s top drama schools, NIDA has built its reputation on practice-based industry-relevant training. Renowned for its acting degree, NIDA also trains creative collaborators including costume, set, video or lighting designers, stage managers, costume makers, scenic artists and set builders, who enjoy highly successful careers nationally and internationally, with many receiving job offers before they even graduate.
Some of NIDA’s 2000s era graduates include Sarah Snook (Succession), Miranda Tapsell (Top End Wedding), Shannon Murphy (Babyteeth), Hugh Sheridan (Packed to the Rafters), Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Rob Collins (Cleverman), Remy Hii (Spider-Man: Far From Home), Ryan Corr (Holding the Man), Meyne Wyatt (City of Gold), Lee Lewis (Queensland Theatre Company), Kip Williams (Sydney Theatre Company), Jacob Nash (Bangarra Dance Theatre) and Suzie Miller (Prima Facie).
Applications for the Scholarship are now open and close 30 October 2020. For more information, visit: www.nida.edu.au for details.
Image: NIDA presents Mark Ravenhill’s pool (no water) in 2019 – photo by Patrick Boland