'The ACT Government offered Creative Arts Fellowships until 2013. The ACT Creative Arts Fellowships were developed from the Literary Award, which was first established in 1991. The purpose of the Literary Award, valued at $15,000, was to recognise and support the strongly growing literary community in the ACT. The Award was designed to give writers the means to focus on new work without the distractions and demands of a regular paid job. Following on from the success of the Literary Award it was noted that dedicating the time to arts practice was an issue of concern across all art forms.
'In 1995 the Literary Award was changed to a Fellowship and opened to literature and visual arts applicants. In 1997 the Fellowships category was widened to include performing arts applicants. In 2000, to reflect the diversity of arts practice, eligibility for Fellowships was extended to include individuals practicing across any form.
'The amount awarded for ACT Creative Arts Fellowships increased from $20,000 in 1995, to $35,000 in 2001, and $45,000 from 2009.' (Source : http://www.arts.act.gov.au/funding/previous-funding-recipients/previous-act-creative-arts-fellowship-recipients )