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.
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.
About the program
The Indigenous Contemporary Music program is open for applications from 16 March 2023 to 20 April 2023 for projects starting after 1 July 2023.
Guidelines and information on how to apply are available on the GrantConnect website.
We expect to notify applicants about the outcome of the grant round approximately 12 weeks after the closing date.
Program background
The Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy Revive is putting First Nations arts and culture first.
The Indigenous Contemporary Music program supports self-determination by funding First Nations-led organisations to 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.
To learn more about what the Australian Government is doing to put First Nations arts and culture first, download Revive: A Place for Every Story, a Story for Every Place.
Program guidelines
The 2023 Round is now open for applications.
Guidelines are available on the GrantConnect Website where you can register for automatic notification of Grant Opportunities.
Contact
Contemporary Music Team
Office for the Arts
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6271 1711
Email: music@arts.gov.au