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Indigenous arts and languages
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The Indigenous Contemporary Music program was established to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands. It provided opportunities and skills to develop ongoing income and employment pathways in the music industry. This program is now closed.
Who can apply
The program funded Indigenous-led organisations that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands, through the provision of professional industry-based opportunities.
When to apply
Funding was provided in four rounds, once a year, from 2020 to 2023.
Funding available
Total funding of $1.5 million was provided over the life of the program.
About the program
Program background
The Indigenous Contemporary Music program has now closed. Information about projects supported by the program is available under the ‘Who we’ve funded’ tab.
The Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy Revive is putting First Nations arts and culture first. Revive recognises and respects the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia’s arts and culture.
To learn more download Revive: A Place for Every Story, a Story for Every Place.
Other support and funding opportunities
Creative Australia administers a number of grant programs which support contemporary music projects, artists and organisations as well as specific Opportunities for First Nations artists and organisations.
Music Australia has been established within Creative Australia to support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry to increase discoverability and develop markets and audiences. It will invest to stimulate a vibrant and sustainable music industry ecosystem in which artists can thrive.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office within APRA AMCOS offers opportunities and programs to support a self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music industry.
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
Funding programs
Latest news
Getting the band together, but who pays their super?
Updated advice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on who pays super to workers in the music industry.
Applications now open for funding of regional and remote arts projects through the Festivals Australia program
Round 23 of the Festivals Australia program is open for applications for arts projects at festivals and community events in regional and remote Australia.
Visions of Australia brings new exhibitions to the regions
Ten new exhibitions will hit the road thanks to $1.4 million provided through the latest Visions of Australia program funding round.
Have your say
A new National Cultural Policy
Between 23 March 2026 and 24 May 2026, Australians were invited to share their views and help guide the next National Cultural Policy. Public submissions are being uploaded to this page as they're being reviewed by us. Read the public submissions.
Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program
We invited feedback on the development of the new Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program to support d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers. This consultation is closed.
Review of the Indigenous Art Code
A review of the Indigenous Art Code to strengthen the protections for Indigenous artists and consumers across the country. This consultation is closed.
Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place
After extensive national consultation, in 2023 we delivered a 5 year national cultural policy, Revive—A place for everyone story, a story for every place.
Latest consultations
Review of the Indigenous Art Code
A review of the Indigenous Art Code to strengthen the protections for Indigenous artists and consumers across the country. This consultation is closed.
National Opera Review
The Australian Government has released a full response to the recommendations of the National Opera Review final report, which examined the artistic vibrancy, financial viability and accessibility of Australia’s major opera companies.
Funding programs
What's new
New edition of Significance released
The third edition of Significance provides new and updated practical guidance for assessing and explaining the significance of cultural items and collections.
Getting the band together, but who pays their super?
Updated advice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on who pays super to workers in the music industry.
A new page for Lending Rights
New legislation for the Lending Rights schemes commenced on 1 October 2026.
Sharing the National Collection hits 2 million visitor milestone
The Sharing the National Collection program enables galleries around the country to borrow works from the national collection for long-term display.
Support programs
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Funding secured for Fire of Australia opal
The Government has announced funding to assist the South Australian Museum to purchase the Fire of Australia opal.
Convict’s timekeeper seeing out its days at Port Macquarie Historical Museum
The purchase of the sundial for permanent exhibition will assist in better interpretation of Port Macquarie's history as a British penal settlement and the part Port Macquarie has played within the overall theme of white settlement of Australia.
—Ms Debbie Sommers, Vice President, Port Macquarie…
Unique Dame Nellie memorabilia goes under the hammer
Unique Dame Nellie memorabilia goes under the hammer
National Library bringing archived Fairfax images to life
The National Library of Australia is embarking on a ground-breaking project to conserve, catalogue and digitise 12,000 glass-plate negatives from the Fairfax photographic archive.
Powerhouse Museum secures rare Wedgewood vase inspired by colonial Australia
The National Cultural Heritage Account helped Sydney's Powerhouse Museum buy a historically significant Wedgwood Swan Vase.
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National Opera Review - Final Report Appendix
Published: 25 Oct 2016 Sections of the Discussion Paper. These documents have not been produced by us and may not meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA requirements. Please contact us at publishing@communications.gov.au to obtain alternative copies. …
PublicationWriters to be fairly compensated
Australian authors, illustrators and publishers to be recompensed for their e-books and audiobooks being held in Australian libraries. 21 Mar 2023 A woman reads an e-book on a couch As announced under the Australia Government’s new National Cultural …
NewsRekindling program reconnects First Nations youth
A flagship dance and language program is reconnecting First Nations youth with their culture. 22 Mar 2023 ‘In learning about your culture you learn more about yourself’ – a participant sums up how the Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Rekindling program it is …
NewsART/works
ART/works provides subscribers with the latest news on funding opportunities, industry research and sector updates. Sent to your inbox as major news breaks, ART/works keeps you up-to-date with what's happening in Australia's cultural and creative sector, …
PageResearch confirms importance of live music workers
Our research highlights the diverse occupations of live music workers and their contribution to Australia’s social and cultural fabric. 27 Mar 2023 The contribution of live music to our creative economy has been confirmed following the release of the …
NewsLive gigs back in the spotlight
Program provides support for venue-based music 29 Mar 2023 $2.5 million in targeted funding is available under Round Six of the Live Music Australia Program. The funding will assist live music venues as they rebuild following the impacts of the pandemic, …
NewsNational Opera Review - Final Report
Published: 25 Oct 2016 The National Opera Review was asked, under its Terms of Reference, to make recommendations aimed at promoting the financial viability, artistic vibrancy and accessibility of Australia’s four Major Opera Companies, namely Opera …
PublicationELR Policies and Procedures 2023
Published: 31 Mar 2023 ELR Policies and Procedures 2023 (Word) (DOCX, 153.92 KB) ELR Policies and Procedures 2023 (PDF) (PDF, 344.27 …
PublicationTrove funding secured in 2023-24 Federal Budget
The Australian Government will commit $33 million in funding over four years in the coming Budget, preserving Australia’s most significant cultural and historical resource. 4 Apr 2023 Photo: Damian McDonald Australia’s most important collection of digital …
NewsRare Canadian cultural objects dating back to 19th Century to return home
Museums Victoria will repatriate 6 highly significant cultural items back to their Indigenous community in Canada with the assistance of the Australian Government. 3 Apr 2023 (clockwise from top left: smoking pipe, ornate cloak, pouch, leggings, broach, …
NewsFunding and support program archive
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