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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.

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Funding

Up to $150K

Closed

10 Mar 2025

Duration

up to 14 months

Location

New South Wales

Who Can Apply

• Applicant must be a First Nations New South Wales-led music business or organisation with 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 and hold an ABN or ACN, or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under relevant incorporation or co-operatives law • Applicant must have an active ABN • Applicant must have a bank account with the same name as the ABN • Applicant must be a music business or organisation • Only one application may be submitted per round • Applicants with outstanding acquittals from previous New South Wales Government funding cannot apply • Projects cannot start before 2025-05-12 • Projects must be completed by 2026-06-30 • Organisations primarily focused on experimental music and sound art, contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles, or music theatre are not supported
Open to First Nations New South Wales-led music businesses or organisations that demonstrate an established ongoing connection to community through their work. 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 can submit only one application per round. Ineligible applicants include businesses or organisations that are not First Nations led, are not based in New South Wales unless they demonstrate direct impact to the New South Wales contemporary music sector, have outstanding acquittals from previous New South Wales Government funding, or are not music businesses or organisations. Projects cannot start before 2025-05-12 and must be completed by 2026-06-30. Organisations with a primary focus in experimental music and sound art, contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles, or music theatre are not supported through this program.

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, workplace and audience safety, accessibility and cultural safety initiatives; industry-led marketing campaigns; collaboration and partnership initiatives; and industry-led research and advocacy.

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Check Contemporary Music Development Grants - First Nations Industry Development fit and evidence gaps before 10 Mar 2025

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Expected Outcomes

Projects are expected to strengthen First Nations contemporary music in New South Wales by developing skills and capacity, improving industry standards, building the profile of the New South Wales music industry, 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.

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Key Information

Applicant Types

companytrustnon_profitcooperativeindigenous_organisation

Stage

established

Funding Purposes

trainingmarketinginnovationresearchcommunityother

Keywords

First Nationsmusiccontemporary musicindustry 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 up to 14 months.
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 with 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 and hold an ABN or ACN, or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under relevant incorporation or co-operatives law
  • Applicant must have an active ABN
  • Applicant must have a bank account with the same name as the ABN
  • Applicant must be a music business or organisation
  • Only one application may be submitted per round
  • Applicants with outstanding acquittals from previous New South Wales Government funding cannot apply
  • Projects cannot start before 2025-05-12
  • Projects must be completed by 2026-06-30
  • Organisations primarily focused on experimental music and sound art, contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles, or music theatre are not supported
4

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

Applications closed on 10 Mar 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, workplace and audience safety, accessibility and cultural safety initiatives; industry-led marketing campaigns; collaboration and partnership 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.

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