SEED: FIRST NATIONS WRITING PROGRAM
Are you a First Nations or Torres Strait Islander young person (aged 18-30) with a creative writing idea?
Western Edge is excited to introduce Seed: First Nations Writing Program
EOIs close Wednesday 23 July 2025
The Seed Writing Program will support a First Nations artist, with a connection to Naarm’s West, to develop their writing over a three-month period.
You’ll receive a $5,000 artist fee, mentorship from Jane Harrison and Tahlee Fereday, and time to nurture an idea you’ve been waiting to shape.
With a focus on performance writing in any genre, this program is about process, autonomy, and creative support. Whether you want to write theatre, film, poetry, songwriting, sci-fi — anything! There’s no pressure to create a finished product or present a public outcome. Instead, you’ll set your own goals in collaboration with your mentors.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear your idea!
If you want to have a yarn about the program, please reach out to us at programs@westernedge.org.au or on (03) 8658 4052, and we can connect you with one of the mentors.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Our EOI form has three questions. You’ll be asked to share:
- A bit about your connection to the western suburbs
- A bit about your idea or intention
- A sample of your writing (see below for ideas)
You can respond to the EOI questions in writing, or by attaching an audio or video recording.
We are open to submissions in languages other than English.
KEY DATES
EOI opens Thursday 26 June 2025
EOI closes at 10am, Wednesday 23 July 2025
Program begins from Monday 4 August 2025
Program concludes Friday 7 November 2025
KEY INFORMATION & FAQs
Time Commitment & Schedule
The program runs from early August to early November 2025, with flexibility to choose your own writing hours.
The artist fee of $5,000 supports up to 20 days of writing across the program.
Mentorship sessions will be scheduled in a way that works for you and your mentors.
Location
There’s no set location — you can write from wherever suits you! Mentorship can happen in person, online, or both. Our office space at The Substation in Newport is also available to use if you’d like.
Open Genre
This program is for early-stage ideas in any kind of performance writing, like poetry, science fiction, theatre, song, screenwriting, and more. You can apply with something experimental and entirely your own!
By performance writing we mean anything written to be shared aloud — whether on stage, on screen, or in community. You are not required to perform your writing (or to have a plan for that) to participate in the program.
Writing Sample
We ask for a sample to help get a feel for what you like to create. The kind of writing you can submit is limitless! For example:
- an unfinished draft,
- a synopsis or brainstorm of an unwritten piece,
- a blog or social media post,
- a video or audio recording,
- a reflection on what writing means to you,
- something else entirely!
Your sample does not have to be related to the idea you want to work on during the Seed Writing Program.
Intellectual Property
Everything you share with us —ideas, samples, drafts— remains yours. Western Edge won’t use or share your work without your permission.
Selection Process
Your EOI will be read by mentors Jane Harrison and Tahlee Fereday, plus Western Edge’s Artistic Director John Marc Desengano, and Executive Director Georgina Naidu. Since this opportunity is for someone early in their writing journey, we’ll be looking at how this program could support your growth and goals.
If you have any questions about the program, we’d love to have a yarn. Reach out to us at programs@westernedge.org.au or on 03 8658 4052.
Seed First Nations Writing Program has been made possible with the generous support of Creative Australia and Creative Victoria.