The Indigenous Contemporary Music program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands. It provides opportunities and skills to develop ongoing income and employment pathways in the music industry.

How it works

Who can apply
Indigenous-led organisations that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands, through the provision of professional industry-based opportunities.
When to apply
There is one funding round each year in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Application dates will be advertised on this page.
Funding available
Funding of $1.5 million is available over three years. A maximum of $500,000 is available each year.

Program Information

funding tabs

About The Program

The 2022 round closed on 31 January 2022.

The 2023 round is expected to open in early 2023.

Guidelines will be available on the GrantConnect website where you can register for automatic notification of Grant Opportunities.

Program background

The Indigenous Contemporary Music program is part of the Australian Music Industry Package, announced on 30 March 2019. It is an open competitive grants opportunity.

The program will fund Indigenous-led organisations who provide professional industry-based opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands. To receive funding under this program, your organisation must:

  • be fully or partially owned, governed, staffed or advised by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
  • have a history of good governance and sound financial management over an extended period, and
  • have capacity and expertise to design and deliver a development program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands.

Applications to the program may include activities such as:

  • training and/or mentoring in areas such as song writing, recording, performance, staging, engineering, recording, promotion, marketing, business skills and management, as well the development of resources to deliver such training
  • paid internships, live performance opportunities and touring, production of demos, sound recordings and/or music videos, securing music or record label management, creation of culturally safe performance and production environments, and increased representation on boards and committees
  • consultation, participation in workshops and mentorships, attendance at professional conferences and events, and establishing relationships with media and streaming services.

Program guidelines

Guidelines for the Indigenous Contemporary Music program are available on the GrantConnect website.

Contact

Contemporary Music Team
Office for the Arts
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6271 1711
Email: music@arts.gov.au