MORE than $18,000 in bursaries have been awarded to 25 talented, young individuals courtesy of the Empire Theatres Foundation.

The money, awarded through the 2017 Empire Theatres Foundation Youth Bursaries, will help with developing skills and giving new experiences to young artists who demonstrate talent, involvement and achievement in a performing arts discipline.

This year's recipients will attend short courses at Queensland Theatre, Jazz Music Institute, Expressions Dance Company, Sydney Dance Company, Brent Street Performing Arts, Victorian College of the Arts, Empire Theatre Youth Arts, Sound Thinking and ED5.

Empire Theatres Foundation Chairperson, Sheena Liley said the bursaries were a valuable resource for young people from the Darling Downs and Lockyer District, with many using the knowledge acquired to later launch careers as professional actors, full-time musicians, dancers and theatre technicians.

"This is one amazing way the Empire gives back to our region," Mrs Liley said.

"Local business sponsors and donations from our Theatre supporters fully fund the bursaries.

"This is an investment in the creative health of our communities."

The Empire Theatres Foundation is proudly sponsored by Heritage Bank, Greenridge Group, Downlands College, Dornbusch Partners, Taylor's Removals, The Chronicle, Horizon Accounting Group and Think Office Technology.