$82,500 in funding for 11 established composers from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Previous winners have included Anna Liebzeit, Cat Hope, Christine Pan, Dominik Karski, Erkki Veltheim, Liza Lim, Mindy Meng Wang, Monica Lim and Nadia Freeman
Music rights management organisation, APRA AMCOS, in partnership with the Australian Music Centre (AMC) and SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, has announced that the 2025 Art Music Fund is now open for submissions.
The Art Music Fund provides AU$7,500 funding each for 11 established composers, nine from Australia and two from Aotearoa New Zealand, to create commissioned work with the intention of ensuring a long artistic life for the work and its composer.
Previous winners have included Anna Liebzeit, Cat Hope, Christine Pan, Dominik Karski, Erkki Veltheim, Liza Lim, Mindy Meng Wang, Monica Lim and Nadia Freeman.
Partners in the work can include ensembles, orchestras, producers, recording companies, broadcasters, festivals and other parties with the aim of guaranteed multiple exposures by way of performances, recordings, broadcasts or digital dissemination.
The Fund was launched in 2016 in recognition of the limited opportunities for art music composers to have new works performed. It commissions new work, providing winning composers with professional support to grow their repertoire in a sustainable way.
A wide range of music styles are supported by the Fund including notated composition; electroacoustic music; improvised music; jazz; sound art; installation sound; multimedia, web and film sound and music; and theatrical, operatic and choreographed music.
Each entry will be assessed by an external panel of musicians from a diverse mix of cultures, gender, geography, generation and genre.
Chris O’Neill, Director of Creative Programs at APRA AMCOS, explains: “The Art Music Fund is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for established composers to get their works commissioned on a large scale and ensure that those works are seen by a wider audience for a long period of time.
“We know that artists and composers always have to juggle numerous projects and commissions to maintain a sustainable practice, so an opportunity like this enables them to pitch for support that will help them to take the next step in their practice.”
Catherine Haridy, CEO of AMC, adds: “The Art Music Fund plays a critical role in the growth of Australian creators. We have seen its meaningful impact in the development of new works and new opportunities locally and in the international art music circuit. We are proud to support the Fund and continue with APRA AMCOS to deliver this opportunity.”
“It's a pleasure to partner with APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre on this wonderful initiative, supporting composers of art music from our two countries,” adds Hannah Darroch, CEO of SOUNZ.
"Recent years have produced many innovative and excellent works, and fostered meaningful partnerships between composers and performers, ensembles, presenters and producers. It's been exciting to see a number of these works receive repeat performances, and to follow the career trajectories of the many composers the fund supports.
"We'll be watching with anticipation to see who will be a part of the 2025 cohort, and will look forward to enjoying the musical results!"
Applications are open now until Sunday 16 February 2025. Winners will be announced in May 2025.