Tait Awards 2026

Music, Musical Theatre & Dance Grant Applications for 2026

OPEN TO YOUNG PERFORMING ARTISTS

FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

TO SUPPORT THEIR ADVANCED STUDIES

IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Music & Musical Theatre applications open Monday 19 January 2026

CLICK HERE FOR ALL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.

Application link will be live 9am GMT Monday 19 January

Dance / Ballet applications open Monday 16 February 2026

Application link will be live 9am GMT Monday 16 February

MUSIC – APPLICANTS MUST BE CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND, OR DOMICILED IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND AND UNDER THE AGE OF 35 (AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2026). PROOF OF THIS WILL BE REQUIRED.

MUSICAL THEATRE – APPLICANTS MUST BE CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND, OR DOMICILED IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND AND UNDER THE AGE OF 35 (AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2026). PROOF OF THIS WILL BE REQUIRED. PLEASE REFER TO ASSOCIATED STUDIOS FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

DANCE – APPLICANTS MUST BE CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND, OR DOMICILED IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND, OVER THE AGE OF 15 AND UNDER THE AGE OF 21 (AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2026). PROOF OF THIS WILL BE REQUIRED. STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION, OR GCSE EQUIVALENT.

In 2025 the Tait Memorial Trust awarded grants of more than £92,500 to more than 28 young performing artists, and the group award to the Royal Ballet School, from Australia & New Zealand. Awards included an £8,000 award to fund the Tait Sir Charles Mackerras Chair with Southbank Sinfonia, London’s training orchestra, the award is funded jointly by the Estate of Lady Mackerras, and the Tait Trust; and the Richard Bonynge Award.

In 2023 we were delighted to announce a new annual award, The Tait John Frost Musical Theatre Bursary to honour the Tait’s important contribution to the development of the Musical Theatre artform in Australia and New Zealand. This award is a bursary of £5,000 towards the fees of a young Musical Theatre performer from Australia or New Zealand (please refer to Tait eligibility requirements below) studying at Associated Studios, London.

The award is wholly funded by a generous grant from Australian Musical Theatre impresario, John Frost AM. Applications for this award must be made directly to Associated Studios.

Click here to apply and to see Associated Studios application guidelines. Deadline for first round auditions is January 31st 2026.