Contemporary Music Development Grants: First Nations Creative and Professional Development (Australia)

Aims

• This funding aims to:
  • Prioritise and protect First Nations music
  • Strengthen the recorded music ecosystem for First Nations artists
  • Future proof the NSW music industry for First Nations artists through upskilling and collaboration
  • Build the profile of First Nations NSW music

Funding Information

• Grant amount: Up to $30,000.

Eligible Costs

• Producer and artist collaborator fees
• Studio, recording, mixing and mastering costs
• Pressing and manufacturing
• Digital marketing, publicity services and content creation
• Administration costs
• Fees to attend or participate in workshops, camps, mentorships, residencies and other career development opportunities
• The purchase of equipment essential to your music career, including instruments, hardware and software (up to $5,000).

Ineligible Costs

• The recording or promotion of your first release
• Costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
• Activity that has received other NSW Government funding
• Activities that directly support the delivery or course requirements of an educational program or course
• Fundraising, donations, awards, prize money or competitions
• Tours or performances at music industry events – this activity can be supported through the Touring and Travel Fund

Eligible Projects

• Grants for First Nations NSW artists and acts creating new and original contemporary music will support project costs associated with:
  • Developing new music
  • Collaboration
  • Recording (including mixing, mastering)
  • Pressing, manufacturing and releasing
  • Marketing and promotional activity
  • Career development opportunities, including participation in workshops, camps, mentorships and residencies
  • Purchase equipment essential to their music career

Eligibility Criteria

• This program is open to First Nations artists and acts, as well as music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act.
• An artist who:
  • Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • Is 18 years or older
  • Currently lives in NSW (minimum 12 months)
  • Performs new and original contemporary music
  • Has at least one publicly available release.
• An act:
  • With majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander members
  • With members who are all 18 years or older
  • With at least 50% of members currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
  • That performs new and original contemporary music
  • That has at least one publicly available release.
• Applicants will need:
  • An active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number)
  • A bank account with the same name as your ABN
  • Or a funds administrator to help you out
• For the purpose of this program contemporary music refers to artists and acts performing new and original music
• Artforms not supported through this program are:
  • Experimental music and sound art
  • Contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles
  • Music theatre

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants who do not identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Applicants who do not live in NSW, or who have lived in NSW less than 12 months
• Applicants not recording or performing new and original contemporary music (eg cover bands)
• Applicants without at least one publicly available release
• Applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding.

For more information, visit NSW Government.