The award is intended to recognise the work of young artists and activists with disability who are using their artistic practice as a tool for challenging preconceptions about disability.
You must:

• identify as a Deaf and/or Disabled person;
• have created work (paid or voluntary) in either comedy, performing arts or screen culture;
• be between the ages of 16 and 30; and
• be a permanent resident of Australia
• have made a powerful impact in their practice

The applications are now open and will close 5.00 pm on Monday 14th September

You can apply by downloading the application form as a word document on our website.

We can email or post an application to you.

Email: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au
Phone: 03 9699 8299 (voice only)/ 0401 224 864 (text or voice)

Absolutely! Talk to us if you would prefer to submit a video or audio application. Applications in Auslan are also invited.

If you are the successful recipient of the Stella Young Award you will get a one-off payment of $3,000.

We are looking for young people who have used their art (comedy, performing arts or screen culture) to have an impact on how the community thinks about disability. It could be an artistic outcome that you have presented in the community or online, such as a short film, or a performance. You could have been behind the scenes getting a project up and running, or it could have been your own work of art. But you will be a proud artist, activist who is determined to create opportunities for greater inclusion and equality.

Tell us about your achievements, art and activism but keep in mind the word limits. Include links to images, short films or publications that will help us to assess your achievements. Please try and keep this links accessible to our panel by using Dropbox, Vimeo, Google Drive or Youtube. Our panel often don’t have instagram and tiktok and struggle to open these links.

That’s entirely up to you! This is an award for your achievements, not a scholarship towards future projects.

Unfortunately, in the interests of fairness to all applicants, the selection panel cannot give feedback on your application.

Yes, we will endeavour to give you feedback in writing about your application.

The selection panel consists of four community representatives with ties to Stella Young, the arts and disability sector, Deaf and Disabled people.

We will notify you of the outcome of your application by mid October. The winner will be announced at The Other Film Festival (TOFF) 2026 Premiere event on Wednesday 28 October.

Established in 1974, AAV has since become the state’s peak body for arts and disability.

AAV’s agenda is the social and artistic transformation for Deaf and Disabled people, the community and access to the arts sector. It achieves this through Disability-led advocacy:

• Community arts and cultural development programs for more than 1300 Deaf and Disabled people.
• Professional development programs for Deaf and Disabled artists with creative and employment outcomes.
• Working with industry to increase Deaf and Disabled participation and access.

AAV has established itself as the driving force for an inclusive, accessible art and cultural sector in Victoria.

AAV shares unique and untold stories that challenge the issues that frame the lives of Deaf and Disabled people. It places Deaf and Disabled artists, not at the margins, but centre stage. Recognising them instead as significant and invaluable contributors to the Australian cultural landscape.

You can contact Alanah Guiry: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au

You can phone us: 03 9699 8299 (voice only)/ 0401 224 864 (text or voice).