Four winners will each receive a custom-printed merch grant, with one going on to play Spilt Milk Gold Coast 2026.
American Apparel has reopened its StAArt Up Fund for 2026, with the second run offering bigger prize than the debut – four emerging Australian artists will each pick up $10,000 in custom-printed merch, with one going on to play Spilt Milk Gold Coast 2026.
Catch up on all the latest news here.
To apply, artists complete the StAArt Up form and submit a design. Four winners will be revealed across the year, each receiving a run of premium t-shirts and hoodies printed with their own artwork.
Once the four winners are named, American Apparel and Spilt Milk will open a winner-takes-all public poll on social media, and the artist who pulls the most votes will land a set at Spilt Milk Gold Coast 2026 – T&Cs apply.
Merch is a real income stream for independent acts and a big part of how fans connect with them, giving artists a way to shape their brand and put something tangible in the hands of the people who follow them.
Last year’s edition backed BIRDEE, THIRST TRAP, Paulina x Tom Thum and Maina Doe, each taking the merch prize. THIRST TRAP and Paulina went on to perform at American Apparel House @ SXSW Sydney 2025, on a bill that also featured Zion Garcia, Sollyy, Sonic Reducer, JUPiTA, Swapmeet and Ninajirachi. THIRST TRAP said the fund “helped us to gather enough funds to record our EP (coming out in July), travel to shows and really just push THIRST TRAP harder than ever. Honestly lost for words.”
Applications for the 2026 StAArt Up Fund close on 28 August, giving artists about a month to get an entry in.
Learn more here.
