The Cartwheel program will support up to 10 early career artists. Cartwheel artists will meet once a month for 12 months from November 2025 – November 2026. The time commitment is approximately 6 hours per month.  

Each month, Cartwheel artists will engage in professional development opportunities curated by Tantrum, including: 

• Masterclasses with established artists.
• Business workshops for creative practitioners. 
• Excursions to see contemporary work including theatre, dance, installation, digital, experimental and more. 
• Attend industry events and networking opportunities. 

Throughout the year-long program, Tantrum’s team will support and nurture the cohort to explore and extend their arts practice and forge their own pathways into sustainable creative careers. 

The first meeting and excursion for Cartwheel artists will be on Thursday 6 November 2025 in Newcastle.

If you are 18-30 years old, or in the first five years of your arts career, then we’re talking about you! You might be just getting started, or you might have been at it for a few years and are looking to take the next steps in expanding your practice.   

Maybe…  

• You’ve just finished university and are about to embark on a creative career;
• You’ve got an idea for a brilliant short film but aren’t sure how to get started;
• You have been collecting found objects for a while but aren’t sure how to curate them for exhibition; 
• You’ve been watching cabaret performers and are wondering how to develop your own act;
• You’ve been performing someone else’s words and you’re ready to write your own script or explore more expansive contemporary arts practice; or,
• You’ve been doing unpaid work on shows but you’re ready to start sending invoices.  

If any of these descriptions sound like you, get applying!   

Or if you’re interested but unsure if you fit the bill, we’d love to chat and answer any questions you might have. Get in touch! 

Cartwheel is open to Hunter-based artists from all artistic disciplines, including performance, film, sound, digital media and installation. 

Most of the monthly Cartwheel activities will take place in Newcastle. 

Some of the excursions to see contemporary work will involve travel to Sydney (day trips only). 

Nothing – thanks to funding from the City of Newcastle, and the support of our partner organisations, this program is free (but valued at $2000 per participant).

The program will support Cartwheel artists with a $200 stipend to assist with travel costs that may be incurred through taking part in the program.

As a Cartwheel artist for 12 months, you can expect to gain: 

• New artistic approaches and ideas to inspire your own art making. 
• Know-how and skills in starting, running and sustaining a creative freelance business. 
• Free access to performances, festivals and exhibitions in Newcastle and Sydney. 
• Ongoing support and mentorship around your individual career pathway. 
• A network of creative peers. 
• Connections with the professional sector. 

• Are you 18-30 years old or in the first five years of your arts career? 
• Are you committed to forging a creative career? 
• Are you based in the Hunter region?