Fellowships worth $510,000 have been awarded to a bevy of artists in New South Wales, Minister for the Arts Don Harwin has announced today. As part of the Create NSW Arts Fellowships 2017, 12 fellows have received funding packages between $30,000 and $50,000.

Rhyan Clapham. 

“The standard of competition for Fellowship applications across the state this year was fiercer than ever and I never envy the judging panel in making their decisions,” said Harwin. “I am delighted to be able to reward such ambition to arts excellence in NSW and excited to see how their respective plans will inspire others, strengthen the reputation of arts in the state and give back to our wider cultural community.”

Among the recipients, emerging composer Rhyan Clapham has been awarded the Peter Sculthorpe Music Fellowship, worth $30,000. A 23-year-old hip hop artist and drummer, he performs with the Sydney band Jackie Brown Jr and runs hip hop and drum workshops in Indigenous community centres and in schools. Emerging choreographer Rhiannon Newton has also received a $30,000 fellowship that will enable her to continue exploring the unpredictability of the body in dance. Finally, Cat Jones is the recipient of...