The $15,000 Russell Beedles Performing Arts Fellowship is a specialist fellowship that supports a project exploring theatre and the performing arts in Victoria, drawing on the Library’s collections relating to scriptwriting and production, drama, opera, ballet, musical theatre, vaudeville, puppetry and magic, theatres, concert halls and venues, or festivals and events.

This biennial Fellowship carries a grant of $15,000, access to a desk space in a shared office for 12 months (January – December 2022), access to collections and staff expertise.

About Russell Beedles

Russell Beedles (1939–2011) was an award-winning playwright, performer and teacher across a range of creative and performing arts. He performed, directed and taught theatre, opera and drama, wrote plays and short stories, and taught students at school and tertiary level.

The Russell Beedles Performing Arts Fellowship has been endowed by the Russell Beedles bequest.

Previous recipients

• 2022: Rhys Ryan with the project Na Trí Céilithe, The Three Céilithe whcih examined original manuscripts documenting the annual céilithe (Gaelic concerts) held in Melbourne in the early twentieth century.