Graduate Pathway Program

Illuminate Adelaide Graduate Pathway Program 2025/2026

The Illuminate Adelaide Graduate Pathway Program is returning for 2025/26, continuing our commitment to supporting the next generation of artists as they transition from study to a professional career. Thanks to the generous support of the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation, South Australia–based graduates (within five years of graduation) are invited to submit a creative proposal which may be featured in the Illuminate Adelaide 2026 Program.

From these submissions, the Co-Founders and Creative Directors of Illuminate Adelaide will select up to three proposals for further pitch development, culminating in a creative presentation. Each selected artist will be paired with a mentor, offering guidance to expand their practice, refine their ideas, and extend their ambition.

Through this process, participants not only gain valuable skills and insights but also grow their professional networks, ensuring a stronger pathway from graduate to practicing artist.

The Opportunity

The Illuminate Adelaide Graduate Pathway Program offers recent graduates a fully funded career and project development opportunity including possible presentation of their work within the highly visible Illuminate Adelaide 2026 event.

The program takes place in three phases:

• Phase 1: Project Proposal 
  Submit your new project proposal at the application link below for this year’s Graduate Pathway Program.
  
  
• Phase 2: Project Development
  Up to three project proposals will be selected for development and mentorship, culminating in a formal pitch presentation to the Creative Directors. The selected artist(s) will receive:
  • A $5,000 development commission fee.
  • $2,000 per selected artist/s to support material costs associated with development of the pitch and presentation of their work.
  • A 3-month concept development opportunity including an introduction to a committed mentor working in an associated field/practice.
    
    
• Phase 3: Project Commission
  The Creative Directors may select 1-2 works from the final pitch presentations to be commissioned fully by Illuminate Adelaide. The selected project(s) may be presented as part of Illuminate Adelaide 2026 or featured in future programs.
  
  

2024/25 Recipients and City Lights Development Commissions

Jake Yang, an Adelaide Central School of Art graduate, creates multidisciplinary works spanning painting, textiles, sculpture, and installation. His practice explores queer youth culture within a traditional Chinese upbringing, blending contemporary and traditional influences to celebrate intimacy, care, and freedom while fostering safe, reflective spaces rooted in cultural identity and nature.

Jake Yang's work, The Legend of the Golden Koi, was presented in 2025's City Lights program.

Selection Criteria

• We welcome emerging artists from all mediums and art forms.
• Selected candidates need to be a current and future resident of South Australia, for the next 12 months (from September 2025).
• Proposed project must be new and original, never been commissioned or presented.
• Applicants will be within the first five years of professional practice since graduation, or have graduated by January 2026.
• Proposed projects selected for commission and development will be assessed against suitability for the Illuminate Adelaide City Lights program. This includes:
  • A large-scale, outdoor installation.
  • The design must consider durability and be capable of withstanding Adelaide's winter weather conditions, including rain, wind, and cold temperatures.
  • The installation should be designed to withstand large audiences - in 2025, we had over 1.3 million attendances over 17 nights.
    
    

Key Dates

• 01 Sep 2025: Application opens
• 05 Oct 2025: Application closes
• 21 – 22 Oct 2025: Interview shortlist candidates
• 07 Nov 2025: Graduate Pathway Program recipients announced
• 08 Nov 2025 – 03 Feb 2026: Mentorship & project pitch development
• 04 – 12 Feb 2026: Pitch presentation of developed concept with prototype
• 13 Feb 2026: Final commission announcement
• 16 Feb – 14 June 2026: Production & fabrication
• 29 Jun – 2 July 2026: Bump in
• 03 - 19 July 2026: Illuminate Adelaide 2026 City Lights

Apply

Portal will be closed 05 October 2025 at 11:59pm.

Presenting Partners