Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award now open for entries

Belvoir Balnaves Award Katie BeckettBelvoir is now accepting entries for the 2016 Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award. The award is open to all writers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

Now in its fifth year The Balnaves Award has become one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia, be it for Indigenous or non-Indigenous Australians. The calibre of entries and winners has consistently proven the depth of talent in the Indigenous theatre industry.

The Balnaves Award is an act of generosity from The Balnaves Foundation. As noted by Wesley Enoch, previous judge and Artistic Director of Sydney Festival:  “Indigenous storytelling does not always fit the structures of funding models by government organisations, which makes this specifically designed award even more important.”

In the past four years the award has recognised playwrights, Katie Beckett, Leah Purcell, Jada Alberts and Nakkiah Lui, but also inspired many Indigenous artists to dream up new plays. The award to open to everyone from the most experienced playwrights, to people just starting out on their first plays and any writer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decent is encouraged to apply, regardless of whether or not they have written for theatre before.

“We have uncovered some extraordinary talent through this award,” said Hamish Balnaves, General Manager The Balnaves Foundation. “In Belvoir’s 2016 Season the first Balnaves Award commission to be completed will have its world premiere. We cannot wait to see what the formidable Leah Purcell has done with her adaption of Henry Lawson’s The Drovers Wife, and even better, she’s playing the title role.”

“Our aim with The Balnaves Award is not just to encourage and support Indigenous playwrights in their writing, but to see their story and vision through to production. This is why we fund both the award and the production of Indigenous-led work at Belvoir.”

Since 2011 The Balnaves Foundation has supported the presentation of two Indigenous-led works per year as part of Belvoir’s annual season. To further their commitment to the telling of Indigenous stories through theatre, the Foundation has committed $20,000 per year to this annual award for an Indigenous playwright.

The Balnaves Foundation is committed to working towards reconciliation and has supported numerous Indigenous arts projects including the creative development of I Am Eora and Black Diggers for Sydney Festival.

The award is comprised of a $7,500 cash prize and a $12,500 commission to write a new play with the support of Belvoir. Entries close on Friday 15 April and the award will be presented in June 2016. For more information, and entry details, visit: www.belvoir.com.au for details.

Image: Katie Beckett – winner of the 2015 Balnaves Award – photo by Patrick Boland