Sarah Snook, Netflix and Prime Video Back NIDA’s $1.5 Million Scholarship Program for 2027
The National Institute of Dramatic Art will award 124 scholarships next year, with new funding from Sarah Snook and Constellation Creatives joining support from Netflix, Prime Video and leading Australian philanthropists.
The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) will provide $1.5 million in scholarships to 124 students in 2027, with Emmy-winning actress and NIDA graduate Sarah Snook among the high-profile supporters helping the next generation of Australian screen and performing arts talent pursue their careers.
The funding, supported by a network of philanthropic foundations, industry partners and individual donors, is designed to reduce financial barriers for students undertaking training across NIDA’s creative disciplines.
Among the major contributors are Netflix, Prime Video, the Balnaves Foundation, ARA Group and Animal Logic Entertainment, while new scholarships have been established by Snook and Constellation Creatives.
Snook, who graduated from NIDA’s acting program in 2008 before finding international success with Succession, has funded a scholarship for an acting student experiencing financial need.
The actress announced her contribution at NIDA’s Raise the Curtain gala, describing the donation as an opportunity to provide the same support that helped launch her own career.
“I was only able to attend NIDA due to the generosity of a donated scholarship, it seems only right to be able to pass on that good fortune to someone else,” Snook said.
“The Arts are the life blood of our shared humanity and it needs our support in fostering the younger generation to be able to participate and create for the better of our community.”
The contribution highlights the role financial assistance can play in opening pathways into Australia’s entertainment industry, particularly for students who might otherwise be unable to afford specialist training.
Netflix has also expanded its involvement with NIDA, funding two major scholarships for students who identify as First Nations and/or people of colour.
The scholarships will support students enrolled in NIDA’s Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services), covering both course fees and living expenses.
The initiative reflects the growing involvement of major streaming companies in supporting Australia’s screen industry workforce, extending beyond actors, writers and directors to the specialist crafts required in film and television production.
Prime Video has renewed its support for major scholarships, alongside Technical Direction Company (TDC).
The Balnaves Foundation and ARA Group will continue funding scholarships for First Nations students, while Animal Logic Entertainment, through Zareh Nalbandian, will maintain its support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Philanthropist Tim Fairfax AC has significantly increased his funding of the Tim Fairfax AC Scholarships, which assist students experiencing financial need from regional and remote Australia.
New Scholarship to Support East Asian Australian Storytellers
Another significant addition to the 2027 program comes from Constellation Creatives Foundation, which has established a scholarship for an East Asian Australian undertaking a Master of Fine Arts in Directing or Dramatic Writing.
The scholarship will also provide additional funding towards a project, placement or international experience following graduation.
Constellation Creatives founder Orion Lee said the initiative was intended to encourage greater diversity in Australian storytelling.
“Constellation Creatives are excited to support a scholarship for an East Asian Australian studying a Master of Fine Arts in Directing or Dramatic Writing at the preeminent institution which is NIDA,” Lee said.
“NIDA has long recognised that diverse voices and fresh perspectives mean a thriving creative sector for everyone to enjoy. We are proud to be working with NIDA who are a vital part of training the future of creative storytelling and contributing to a vibrant and innovative Australian industry.”
NIDA has also welcomed Sophie Curtis as a new Foundation Trust member, with her contribution funding a scholarship for a student commencing a Master of Fine Arts in Directing or Dramatic Writing in 2027.
Other major philanthropic supporters include the Bowness Family Foundation, which has increased its commitment, the Campbell Edwards Trust, Federman Family Foundation, Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation, Andrew Cameron AM and Cathy Cameron, William Rubensohn Foundation, Penn Foundation, Cowled Foundation, Helpmann Family Foundation and Petersen Family Foundation.
NIDA CEO Liz Hughes said the scholarship program was an important investment in the future of Australia’s creative industries.
“Every scholarship represents an investment in talent, potential and the future of the creative industries,” Hughes said.
“We are profoundly grateful to our scholarship partners, whose generosity helps exceptional students to study at NIDA and realise their creative ambitions.”
The $1.5 million commitment comes as Australia’s screen and performing arts sectors continue to grapple with questions of access, representation and the cost of developing creative careers.
For aspiring actors, directors, writers and specialist production practitioners, scholarships can help reduce the financial pressures associated with intensive training and provide opportunities for students from backgrounds that have historically faced barriers to entering the industry.
NIDA’s scholarship program is supported through donations, trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships and bequests administered through the NIDA Foundation Trust.
Applications for the 2027 scholarships open in late October, with eligibility limited to applicants who progress to the second round of NIDA’s application process.
Further information is available through the NIDA Scholarships website.