Prize

Elaine Vallance Mentorship Award

Application is required. Check eligibility

Key scholarship details

Application status

Open for applications

Applications open

29 Jun 2026

Applications close

2 Aug 2026

Benefit amount

Up to $5,000

Eligible study level

Undergraduate

Eligible student type

Domestic and international students

Eligible study stage

Current study

Benefit duration

One-off

Summary

The Elaine Vallance Mentorship Award is offered to talented students who are enrolled in the third year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), to undertake a mentorship opportunity in the year following graduation, for the benefit of their future studies and career.

About the donor

The Elaine Vallance Mentorship Award in Dance recognises the significant contribution that the Austrian/Australian pioneer of Modern Dance Gertrud Bodenwieser (b. Vienna 1890, d. Sydney 1959) had on her student and dancer, Elaine Vallance (1932-2021).

Vallance began her dance education with Bodenwieser as an 8 year old girl and went on to tour nationally and internationally with the Bodenwieser Ballet before establishing her own dance school in Melbourne where she had a profound influence on future generations of Australian dancers.

The Award was offered by Elaine's daughters, Julia and Sue in acknowledgement of the powerful impact that dance mentors can have on future dance careers and pathways. Final year dance students interested in furthering their craft through engagement with an established dancer or choreographer are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

This award provides a one-off payment of $5000.

Amount:

Up to $5,000

Duration:

One-off

Quantity:

1

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

To be considered for this award, you must:

  • Be enrolled in 3rd year Dance in a full time capacity at the Faculty of Fine Art and Music
  • Be intending to undertake a mentorship opportunity in the year following graduation

Selection criteria

The awards will be offered to the student(s) ranked highest by the selection panle based on academic result and their perseverance, resilience and a commitment to working towards a career in Dance.

Conditions

Successful recipients are required to write a letter of thanks and provide an artistic biography for the donors or trustees. On occasion, recipients will be contacted to provide a progress report.

Study level:

Undergraduate

Student type:

Domestic and international students

Study stage type:

Current study

Study area:

Music, visual and performing arts

Need help understanding the process?

Visit our scholarship guide

Application

How to apply

Application link will be visible when open

When will I know the outcome?

Outcomes will be delivered live at the final dance performance of the graduating season. Only the recipient will be emailed notification following this announcement.

Submit an application

Status:

Open for applications

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

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