ClosedBusiness

Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development — NSW

Up to $150K available

Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport)

This grant supports First Nations-led music programs and resources that build the capacity of artists, industry professionals and music businesses in New South Wales. Funding supports skills development, best practice, marketing, innovation, research and advocacy for the contemporary music sector.

Check grant readinessApply Now

Funding

Up to $150K

Closed

27 Oct 2025

Duration

Project must start on or after 2026-02-01 and be completed by 2027-01-31

Location

New South Wales

Who Can Apply

• Applicant must be a First Nations New South Wales-led music business or organisation. • Applicant must demonstrate an established ongoing connection to community through its work. • Governing body must be majority First Nations people. • Applicant must be based in New South Wales or demonstrate a significant contribution to the New South Wales contemporary music sector. • Applicant must be an incorporated entity or trust, or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under relevant legislation. • Applicant must hold an active ABN, or relevant ABN/ACN as specified. • Applicant must have a bank account with the same name as its ABN. • Applicant must be a music business or organisation. • Applicant must not have outstanding acquittals from previous New South Wales Government funding. • Only one application may be submitted per round. • Project cannot start before 2026-02-01. • Project must be completed by 2027-01-31.
Open to First Nations New South Wales-led music businesses or organisations that demonstrate an established ongoing connection to community through their work. Funding recipients must have a governing body that is majority First Nations people; be currently based in New South Wales or deliver a significant contribution to the New South Wales contemporary music sector; be an incorporated entity or trust and hold an ABN or ACN, or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or the Co-operatives National Law (NSW); have an active ABN; and have a bank account with the same name as the ABN. Applicants may submit only one application per round. Applicants cannot have outstanding acquittals from previous New South Wales Government funding. The project cannot start before 1 February 2026 and must be completed by 31 January 2027. Ineligible applicants include businesses or organisations that are not First Nations led, are not music businesses or organisations, or are not based in New South Wales unless the proposal demonstrates a direct impact to the New South Wales contemporary music sector.

What's Funded

Eligible activities include skills, training and capacity-building programs for artists, industry professionals and music businesses; programs on best practice and emerging trends and technologies including AI, marketing and promotion, cultural literacy and safety; wellbeing, accessibility and workplace safety resources; industry-led marketing campaigns; collaborative initiatives; and industry-led research and advocacy.

Before you apply

Check Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development fit and evidence gaps before 27 Oct 2025

Use this business grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.

Get a 48-hour grant fit audit

Expected Outcomes

Projects are expected to strengthen First Nations contemporary music in New South Wales by developing skills and capacity, improving industry standards, increasing sector profile, fostering innovation and partnerships, supporting research and advocacy, and strengthening First Nations communities.

Grant not accepting applications

Applications for this round are closed. A new round may open in the future.

Browse open grants

Key Information

Applicant Types

companytrustcooperativenon_profitother

Stage

established

Funding Purposes

trainingmarketinginnovationresearchcommunityother

Keywords

First Nationscontemporary musicmusic industryindustry developmentcapacity buildingtrainingmarketingresearch

Official Grant Page

Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport)

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development?

The Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development is a business grant offered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport) in Australia, providing Up to $150K in funding. This grant supports First Nations-led music programs and resources that build the capacity of artists, industry professionals and music businesses in New South Wales. Funding supports skills development, best practice, marketing, innovation, research and advocacy for the contemporary music sector.
2

How much funding does the Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development provide?

The Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development provides Up to $150K in funding. The typical project duration is Project must start on or after 2026-02-01 and be completed by 2027-01-31.
3

Who is eligible for the Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development?

  • Applicant must be a First Nations New South Wales-led music business or organisation.
  • Applicant must demonstrate an established ongoing connection to community through its work.
  • Governing body must be majority First Nations people.
  • Applicant must be based in New South Wales or demonstrate a significant contribution to the New South Wales contemporary music sector.
  • Applicant must be an incorporated entity or trust, or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under relevant legislation.
  • Applicant must hold an active ABN, or relevant ABN/ACN as specified.
  • Applicant must have a bank account with the same name as its ABN.
  • Applicant must be a music business or organisation.
  • Applicant must not have outstanding acquittals from previous New South Wales Government funding.
  • Only one application may be submitted per round.
  • Project cannot start before 2026-02-01.
  • Project must be completed by 2027-01-31.
4

When does the Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development close?

Applications closed on 27 Oct 2025.
5

What activities are funded?

Eligible activities include skills, training and capacity-building programs for artists, industry professionals and music businesses; programs on best practice and emerging trends and technologies including AI, marketing and promotion, cultural literacy and safety; wellbeing, accessibility and workplace safety resources; industry-led marketing campaigns; collaborative initiatives; and industry-led research and advocacy.
6

How do I apply for the Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development?

Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.

Need help applying?

Beta Docs has helped founders secure $160M+ in competitive grants. Our AI platform drafts compliance-perfect applications — and our expert reviewers make sure you stand out.

Start with Beta DocsApply NowGet a 48-hour grant fit audit