DDCA

Deans and Directors of Creative Arts

DDCA AWARDS

The goal of the Australian Council of Deans and Directors of Creative Arts (DDCA) is to strengthen creative arts leadership in the tertiary sector, and raise the profile and impact of creative arts teaching and research.

The DDCA Awards acknowledge and celebrate contributions to creative arts, elevate and share best practice, and encourage and promote the next generation of creative arts leaders in research and education. The Awards promote diversity and recognise contributions and achievements by First Nations creatives, as well as early-, mid- and senior-career practitioners in the tertiary sector.

 

AWARD CATEGORIES

1. Distinguished Australian First Nations Creative Leadership Award 

2. Distinguished Innovation in Creative Arts Award  

3. Distinguished Creative Teaching Award 

4. Breakthrough Creative Researcher Award

5. Distinguished Creative Researcher Award 

6. Distinctive Creative Arts Doctoral Student Award 

 
Eligibility

All applicants must be full-time or fixed term staff at a current DDCA Member institution.

Applicants can make a submission to more than one category.

For eligibility specific to each award, please refer to the particular award category (below) and its criteria.

 
Prize

Successful applicants receive the following recognition:

  • $1,000 AUD cash prize. Team applications receive the same sum which they can divide equally among their members.
  • DDCA Award category certificate
  • Feedback from judges which will be published online
  • Publicity on the DDCA website and online platforms
  • Invitation and recognition at the annual DDCA Symposium
 
Judges

Members of the DDCA Board, as well as industry experts, will be asked to evaluate  submissions. See our current Board members.

 

KEY DATES
  • Awards launch date: 4th May 2026
  • Submissions EXTENDED: Monday 10th August 2026 COB
  • Final list of winners and Judges’ comments published on DDCA website: Friday 16th October 2026
  • Ceremony Event: those that can attend will receive their certificates at the November end of year Symposium
 
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATION GUIDELINES

*Please read the APPLICATION GUIDELINES before submitting the Application Form

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS
*Please read the tips that will help you with your application

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

*Once you have read the full guidelines please make your submission to the DDCA Awards via this google form

 

Individual and group entries are to submit one form. Entries for more than one category require a separate form for each category. 

Please direct any queries to DDCA’s Executive Officer at: admin@ddca.edu.au

  

2025 DDCA AWARD WINNERS

 

Image credit: Vanessa Tomlinson, Beacons, Bleach Festival 2022, site-specific sound work. Image courtesy of Greg Harm, Tangible Media. 
FULL GUIDELINES
TIPS FOR APPLICANTS