| Applications open | Thursday 13 August 2026 |
| Applications close | Monday 31 August 2026 |
| Total value | $6,000 |
| Duration | 0 |
| Residency | Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, Permanent Humanitarian visa holder, New Zealand Citizen |
| What best describes me | Current student |
| Level of study | Undergraduate, Honours, Postgraduate |
| Degree | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) |
| College | All |
Established in 1856, the Royal South Australian Society of Arts (RSASA) is Australia’s oldest art society. RSASA represents South Australian artists and presents about a dozen exhibitions a year in their historic gallery in the Institute Building on North Terrace, Adelaide.
The Royal South Australian Society of Arts UniSA Grant provides an opportunity for emerging Adelaide University contemporary art students to engage with RSASA and the Institute Building to produce a work or body of work that responds to RSASA.
The grant will be offered to students in following programs to students with a Fine Art focus:
- Final year students in the Bachelor Fine Arts (BFIAR)
- Honours year of Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) (ZHCAR)
Two grants valued at $6,000 each will be offered every year. Note in 2026: four grants valued at $6000 each will be offered in Semester 2 2026.
Grant recipients will use as their inspiration the RSASA archives (the history available in two volumes with two new volumes in development, annual reports, books on RSASA artists, minutes of meetings, early exhibitions, catalogues, and art collections) and the Institute Building (entrance, stairs, foyer, gallery, work space and basement).
Grant recipients will define the work process, the goal and expected end point, costs and display method with occasional supervision from RSASA members.
The grant assists recipients with their living and/or education expenses including the cost of art materials while undertaking the RSASA project.
Value: $6,000 (two grants available per annum). Note in Semester 2 2026 four grants available.
Payment will be in two instalments:
- $3,000 (paid upon being awarded the grant)
- $3,000 (paid upon outcome (exhibition, paper))
For more information contact:
Student Assist
StudentAssist@study.adelaideuni.edu.au
Eligibility
To be eligible for the grant the applicant must:
- Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident of Australia, holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa or New Zealand Citizen
- Final year students in the Bachelor Fine Arts (BFIAR)
- Honours year of the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) (ZHCAR)
- Full-time (preferred) or part-time student
- Submission of written statement
- Submission of art portfolio
- Attendance at interview
Selection criteria
Applicants are required to provide a written statement (500-750 words) detailing:
- Knowledge of RSASA and the Institute Building and interest in the artworks displayed within.
- Reasons for studying their fine arts program and how the degree supports their future aspirations.
- A summary of their art practice and achievements.
- How the grant would enhance the applicant’s learning experience.
- Academic achievements including current Grade Point Average (GPA) and any prizes or awards received.
- How the grant funds are likely to be used and initial proposal on project direction (the work or body of work that responds to RSASA).
Recipients will be selected based on information provided in the written statement, the art portfolio and performance in interview.
Important information
- In addition to applying online, applicants should submit the written statement and portfolio, as outlined above.
- Applicants should note that there could be expenses related to the exhibition of final work, including gallery hire, advertising, and the cost of building security (if required) at an opening event, and that these should be discussed with RSASA as soon as practicable prior to the exhibition opening.
How to apply
Online via myScholarshipsContact us