Funding, opportunities & grants

The Music Cities Awards is a global competition designed to acknowledge and reward the most outstanding applications of music for economic, social, environmental and cultural development in cities and places all around the world. The Award Ceremony for the 2024 edition will take place on November 14th, on the opening day of the Riyadh Music Cities Convention, to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Applications close 20 April 2024

Nominations For The 2024 AIR Awards Are Now Open.
Closes 22 April 5pm.

Learn about building community of collaborators and audiences, and explore innovative ways for presenting music in the 'Building your music community' webinar. Guest speaker Josten Myburgh, co-director of exploratory music label Tone List, and director of their acclaimed Audible Edge Festival of Sound, presenting insights from cultivating the exploratory music scene in Perth (Boorloo).

Surrounding Sound is a professional development series from Australian Music Centre, designed to equip you with the skills to be independent and sustainable as a music creator. This series will invite music industry experts to share essential skills and resources for practicing musicians to maintain a sustainable and creative career in the art music space.

30 April, 5-6pm AEST.

Entries are open to Australian citizens and residents who have released an original song and music video between 1 January 2023 – February 2024. $20,000 prize for the publicly-voted winner. Entries close 22 April.

Enter Listen Up's Songwriting Prize!

The Songwriting Prize is the largest live performance songwriting competition in Australia and is open for entries until Friday 10th May 2024. Entries are assessed for selection for performance at local semi-finals around Australia with a grand Final in Sydney. Each year songs are considered in the context of a theme, in its 9th year, this years theme is Acceptance. The organisers are Listen Up Music, an award winning mental health charity.
Prizes include: Studio time, recording equipment, audio lifestyle gear, instruments, photography, merchandise creation, mentorship, radio and podcast promotion, gig support slots, cash, and mental health training and support.
Closes 10 May.

Enter The Unsigned Only Music Competition! The competition gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes, and the Grand Prize winner is awarded $20,000 USD plus additional merchandise and services geared toward helping an artist's career. There is also a First and Second Place winner in each of the 18 categories. Previous winners and entrants include: Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress; Coco Jones; GAYLE; Faouzia; Gabby Barrett; BélO; Tenille Arts; Goodbye June; Anna Wolf; Wes Mack; Brett Young; and more.

Competition closes 19 June.

Want the opportunity to perform at Wide Open Space Festival in Mparntwe/ Alice Springs? Takes place 3-5 May 2024. Applications for the 2024 festival are currently open! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this unique Central Desert experience.

No deadline specified

Carriage Studio is offering 3-day artist residencies to artists & producers based in (or visiting) Naarm/Melbourne. The studio is designed for production, mixing, mastering and overdub recording and is equipped with audio interfaces, microphones, preamps, compressors, MIDI instruments, weighted piano, guitars, extremely high quality monitoring, stream decks; all you need to bring is your laptop.

Rolling deadline - monthly residencies

Submit an application to become a Sofar artist and be eligible to play Sofar shows in unique venues in more than 400 cities worldwide. Turn listeners into fans, reach new markets and connect with other artists!

Ongoing

The PPCA Performers' Trust Foundation provides grants to promote and encourage music and the music-related performing arts.
Ongoing.

Artists submissions for Reeperbahn 2024 are now open!
4 days full of outstanding music, new talents, special moments and discursive space - with a commitment to diversity and sustainability.
Reeperbahn takes place on 18 - 21 September 2024.
No deadline given.

A monthly multidisciplinary queer artist development workshop program for LGBTQIA+ teenagers and their friends! Entry is open to LGBTQIA+ teenagers (and their allies) between the ages of 15 to 19, all skill levels and experience are welcome. Event is free with registration - first come, first served.
Takes place 23 March - 18 May, various sessions

This funding program supports the recording and promotion of new and original contemporary music by NSW artists.. Up to $25,000 for short-form releases, up to $50,000 for long-form releases and up to $25,000 matched funding for releases by artists signed to a major label.
Applications close 17 April, 5:00 pm

Professional development workshops:

• Making History with Deborah Kelly | Sat 20 & Sun 21, April ⁠⁠

Free for Brand X Artist Pass Holders⁠

$25 for general public ⁠

Takes place 20-21 April 2024. Grab tickets now.

Are you a young musician or band in New South Wales looking to play on one of the biggest stages in Sydney? The Push is looking for a young musician or band in New South Wales to play the opening spot for Mallrat and Tiffi at Vivid Sydney. Set the tone and perform to a huge crowd on the opening night of Vivid Sydney, ahead of these massive acts. This is a paid, live performance opportunity NOT to miss.

Closes 22 April.

Free support to develop new ideas, audiences and revenue streams for our creative and cultural sector. Be 1 of 6 lucky Sydney creative organisations or individuals to get one-to-one free business support in an incubator program. Over 10 weeks, REMIX will help you harness new digital and consumer trends, identify new income opportunities and craft a compelling business plan and pitch. The incubator is designed for creative practitioners, cultural institutions and other organisations looking to pivot their business, reach new audiences, further their leadership or develop innovative or new ideas for long term growth.
Closes 25 April.

Grants of $500 - $5,000 available support professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists, groups and arts and cultural workers. Small Project Grants (Quick Response) supports professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists, groups and arts and cultural workers that are time sensitive and respond to short notice invitations with career-building significance.

Applications close 20 May 2024, 5pm AEST

This funding program supports national and international touring activity and attendance at key music industry events for NSW artists and industry professionals. Up to $2,500 per person for domestic activity and up to $7,500 per person for international activity.
Applications close 20 May, 5:00 pm

Quick Response Grants are delivered monthly from February to November and all applications will be competitively assessed at the end of each month. Applicants will not be advised about their grant application until five days after the end of each month. Individuals can apply for up to $3000, organisations can apply for up to $5000. There is no minimum grant amount.

Opens on the first of each month and closes on last day of each month.

This program accepts applications all year and supports small-scale initiatives for local residents and organisations. This program is open all year for applications until the budget is exhausted. You should submit your application at least 6 weeks before you plan to start your grant activity or event.

Ongoing

Want to get your music out there but don’t know where to start? Join FBi Radio at their monthly Music Open Day to learn all the ins and outs of how music is programmed on the station. Music Open Day will happen from 3pm to 6pm on the first Monday of every month. You can also submit your music to FBi Radio any time.

Ongoing

Expressions of interest are now open to NSW music businesses for the Green Action Program. Participants will undertake a range of hands-on learning modules and workshops including: ⁠- First Nations First - why platforming First Nations voices matters to sustainability ; Policy and procedure development - how to embed climate action into organisational structures ; Regulatory environment - review of recent legislative changes including plastic bans and emission reduction targets⁠; Measuring impact - capturing and using data to set goals and identify and meet sustainability objectives⁠; Energy 101 - A walk-through onsite energy audit at a live music venue⁠; Climate leadership - gaining skills to lead operational change and achieve stakeholder approval⁠.
No deadline given.

Want to learn to DJ? Register for Your Shot! Register online and take the first step towards the experience of a lifetime. 10,500 people just like you have made the journey. You don't need any DJ experience to enter - full training provided!

No deadline given.

Music Victoria calls on you the industry, to share your insights into what you want for the future of music in the state.

Various sessions taking place 15 - 24 April

VMDO are inviting applications for financial assistance from Victorians attending The Great Escape festival in Brighton in May. One-off contributions of $3k towards international travel costs are available to a limited amount of applicants.

Applications close 11.59pm on Tuesday 16 April

Uncovering Talent ($5,000) is for first-time grant recipients and encourages applications from early career artists. It is for music industry professionals to undertake creative projects and professional development opportunities. For activity commencing 1 September.
Closes 18 April.

Evolve and Export ($10,000-$20,000) encourages innovation in music creation and reaching new markets. It is for music industry professionals with a proven track record to undertake creative projects and professional development opportunities. For activity commencing 1 September.
Closes 18 April.

Over three weeks, Professional Development in the Hills will explore marketing, artist management, radio, APRA royalties, booking live shows and securing funding. The series of workshops will put participants in the best position to improve their skills, gain new knowledge, and create opportunities for future collaborations with industry professionals.

This session will focus on the fundamentals of marketing and artist management and will feature speakers Genna Alexopoulos (Super Duper), Catherine Burton (Bolster), Xani Kolac (Self-Managed Musician), Cara Williams (Slow Clap).

Takes place 23 April - 30 April, 6-8pm at Hills Hub, Emerald Victoria.

Blackwood Collaborative are pleased to announce their inaugural weekend song writing workshop with Charles Jenkins on May 18th and 19th.

Immerse yourself in a weekend of creativity and inspiration at the scenic songwriting retreat in Blackwood Victoria, one hour west of Melbourne. $600 + BF.
Takes place 18 - 19 May, 9am - 7:30pm in Blackwood, Vic.
Learn more here.

Up to $750 available to support initiatives that help residents participate in community life and improve personal outcomes. Funding is provided to individuals who are residents of Moreland that have been selected to pursue an achievement and / or development activity in their chosen area of expertise. Applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the planned activity beginning.

Applications close 30 June 2024

ALWAYS LIVE will take place between Nov – Dec (Dates TBA), 2024, and ALWAYS LIVE is accepting all show and event Expressions of Interest that take place within this timeframe. Join ALWAYS LIVE in championing Victoria’s progressive, evolving, and passionate live contemporary music community. ALWAYS LIVE will epitomise the live contemporary music experience; and will be a vehicle for stories, feelings, hopes, dreams and aspirations, presenting a series of memorable music moments.

Ongoing

Want to become a radio announcer? If you would like to volunteer as a PBS announcer, feel you'd be a musical fit, and have a great idea that fits our strategic direction, we encourage you to apply for the PBS announcer course.

Topics covered include:

• A background on PBS 106.7FM
• Introduction to radio/writing for radio
• Radio voice /presentation
• Interviewing/broadcast law
• Planning a program/technical skills
• Programming on PBS /using the studio
• Preparation for making a demo

Rolling class dates - see website for details

Up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations available. For small arts projects, professional development for artists and arts workers, and community capacity building projects. Rounds are open on the first of every month and close on the last day of every month from February to November.

Ongoing

Supporting residents facing financial hardship to participate in select sports, arts and educational activities.
Open monthly, rounds closing the first day of each month.
Ongoing.

The Touring Queensland Fund supports arts presenters and producers in the delivery of performing arts, visual arts, contemporary music gigs, and cultural heritage touring activity. Single year and single tour funding for single tours and touring programs including schools touring (within a 12-month period) and single tours to present arts products and experiences across Queensland touring circuits or regions. Up to $100,000 for tour-ready performing arts, visual arts, schools’ tours, workshops, (any art form that falls under Arts Queensland's responsibility), and events for tour itineraries that include at least three (3) locations within a 12-month period.

The Touring Queensland Fund supports arts presenters and producers in the delivery of performing arts, visual arts, contemporary music gigs, and cultural heritage touring activity. Multi-year touring funding for touring programs that are not dedicated schools touring within a 2-year period (with the option to extend funding agreements for a third year of programs) that enhance community cultural calendars and grow audiences for Queensland artists and arts organisations across or within regions. Up to $150,000 per annum for touring an identified circuit of at least five (5) locations multiple times over a 24-month period. Funding will support either;

• touring programs that repeat visits to the same circuits
• tours to different circuits across the period.

Applicants can apply for up to 50% of the total project costs.

Nominations for the 2024 Gold Coast Music Awards are open to any venue, artist, band, studio producer or visual creative of any age or genre, that has been actively involved with the Gold Coast’s music industry during the eligibility period 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024.

Closes 30 April.

The Fund supports interstate and overseas opportunities that grow Queensland’s cultural economy, increase exposure, facilitate business and career growth, and expand markets and export revenue potential for Queensland-based musicians, performing artists and organisations. Applicants can apply for up to $80,000 towards eligible costs for showcasing or market attendance activities (applicants can apply for up to 50% of the total project costs directly associated with the interstate or overseas activity.) Applicants can apply for up to $2,000 towards eligible costs for bringing national and international presenters/promoters/reviewers to see Queensland performances.

Rolling fund - apply at any time

Arts Queensland is proud to partner with local government to support quality arts and cultural experiences across Queensland through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities and strong regions. RADF invests in local arts and cultural priorities, as determined by local communities, across Queensland. RADF is delivered in partnership with 59 Queensland local councils.

Various closing dates, check with local council

Up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations available. For small arts projects, professional development for artists and arts workers, and community capacity building projects. Rounds are open on the first of every month and close on the last day of every month from February to November.

Ongoing

Creative Development grants of up to $15,000 to support recording and performing artists, songwriters, producers and artist managers (on behalf of their artists) in the creation and/or release of new original music composition or content.

Applications close 3 May 2024

Business development grants of up to $15,000 to support recording studios, promoters, record labels, booking agents, live music venues, artist managers, self-managed artists and other music entrepreneurs, businesses or organisations with their efforts to facilitate the creation, presentation, production or delivery of original music.

Applications close 3 May 2024

The Live Music Event Fund aims to elevate Adelaide’s recognition as a UNESCO City of Music through activating our live music events calendar; mitigate the financial barriers experienced by promoters in the first two years of staging a new live music event; attract unique music events to South Australia that generate economic benefit, provide local jobs for musicians and crews, and attract visitors from South Australia’s key domestic tourism markets; provide industry development opportunities or pathways that support the growth of the event into a unique offering for the state that is financially sustainable and not reliant on government funding for viability.

EOIs open

Regional artists to access professional arts development and training opportunities, or organisations/community groups with small project opportunities that arise at short notice. Individuals can apply for up to $3000 and organisations or community groups can apply for up to $5000.

Ongoing - Grant Rounds close on the last day of each month

Country Arts SA’s Skills Development Assistance Grants (up to $1,500) are available to support artists and arts workers to participate in professional development opportunities. The grants are fast-turnaround and are intended for those who wish to undertake a time sensitive Skills Development opportunity. These grants provide assistance with travel and accommodation costs associated with undertaking professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, seminars etc.

Ongoing

Country Arts SA’s Shows on the Road program supports a network of regional presenter groups to present high quality, professional performances in their community. It aims to increase access to the arts in smaller regional communities.

Ongoing

For regional artists, arts organisations and communities. Up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations is available.

Ongoing - closes the final day of each month.

The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program assists homegrown contemporary music artists with projects that enable them to produce and promote their work, building links nationally and internationally. Grants for Under $15k.

Ongoing

The Northern Territory Music Awards (NTMAs) celebrate the incredible talent, innovation and dedication of the Northern Territory music industry.

The NTMAs are returning to Darwin and include a number of award categories designed to recognise the artists, techs, organisations, venues and events at the heart of our diverse sector.
Applicants must register to nominate.

Nominations close midnight Monday 13 May.

You can apply for up to $1,000 to access arts and cultural opportunities at short notice. Funding can be used for travel costs, accommodation, marketing and materials.
This grant is open until 31 May 2024 or until the funding runs out.

You can apply for up to $2,000 to participate in career developing activities, such as:

• specialist arts workshops
• arts industry forums
• unaccredited learning opportunities.

You can apply if you're a Northern Territory artist or arts worker. This grant is open until 31 May 2024, or until the funding runs out.

You can apply for up to $5,000 for activities that increase community access and participation in the arts.

The projects must take place in the Northern Territory (NT). You can apply if you're a group or arts organisation. This grant is open until 31 May 2024, or until the funding runs out.

• Supported remotely by Coordinators based in both our Darwin and Alice Springs offices.
• Given opportunities to gain valuable guidance at the Rangers Training camp, held annually.
• Given on the job training in community by coordinators and mentors who visit regularly.

Expressions of Interest are open.

The Arts and Culture Grants Program offers various grants for projects that explore, develop and profile arts and culture in the Northern Territory (NT).

Ongoing

For regional artists, arts organisations and communities. Up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations is available.

Ongoing - closes the final day of each month.

Up to $10,000 per applicant is available to support this exciting new employment pathway through a three-month work placement. Grants are open to, artists and arts workers aged 18 to 25 years, seeking paid career development opportunities or arts and cultural organisations looking to host a three-month placements.

Ongoing

Have you recently released music?

FreshmiNT is searching for the freshest new tracks from the NT! If you've got a new single that's ready to ignite the airwaves, we're all ears! Submit your new tunes below for consideration for the Fresh MiNT mail out plus weekly radio shows each Thursday evening on Gove FM, Territory FM, Katherine FM and 8CCC.

Ongoing

Researchers at ANU are conducting a study in partnership with MusicACT to examine live music in the Canberra region.

This research will deepen an understanding of how artists/musicians attend to their work in the live music industry, and how pay and wages for creative work and performance are accomplished and negotiated. We are on the hunt for professional musicians who would be willing to take part in a relaxed short one-on-one interview to discuss their practice, work and thoughts on the music industry conditions in Canberra.

All participants will be given a $20.00 gift card for their participation.

Ongoing

Requests can be from $500 to $5,000. Given high demand for limited funds, requests for $5,000 need to be thorough applications with significant benefits to the applicant.

Applications can be made at any time but must be submitted at least six weeks before the activity start date. Applicants can only receive funding in this category once each calendar year, except in exceptional circumstances. Applicants may also apply to the $5-50k category, for a different activity or another stage of the Up to $5k activity.

Ongoing

People working or engaged within the arts and screen sectors are encouraged to put forward an expression of interest. They are seeking a broad range of candidates in terms of artform area, age, cultural background and career stage from artists, practitioners, administrators and other sector professionals.

Ongoing

Quick Response Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises where the activity is unable to be planned for or supported in other funding rounds, for example taking up professional development, skills development or small project opportunities at short notice.

You can apply for Quick Response Grants up to $3,000 for individuals

Applications open on the first of each month and close on the last day of that month.

Uncovering Talent ($5,000) is for first-time grant recipients and encourages applications from early career artists. It is for music industry professionals to undertake creative projects and professional development opportunities. For activity commencing 1 September.
Closes 18 April.

Evolve and Export ($10,000-$20,000) encourages innovation in music creation and reaching new markets. It is for music industry professionals with a proven track record to undertake creative projects and professional development opportunities. For activity commencing 1 September.
Closes 18 April.

ATSI Collaboration Fund supports local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led projects that build stronger local communities. Cash funding up to $50,000 is available, for projects to be delivered within 12 months.
Ongoing

Supports local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led projects that build stronger communities. Cash funding up to $50,000 is available, for projects to be delivered within 12 months.

Funding supports increased self-determination and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through projects that connect people with community, country and culture.

Open now until budget is exhausted

Would you or anyone you know be interesting in gaining experience in the Music Industry? Blak Label Music is a hub for First Nations creatives and musicians, based in Meanjin, Naarm and Gadigal land.

Blak Label brings First Nations music and stories to the industry and global audiences. We may call ourselves a record label, but we’re so much more than that, which means any volunteer will get real, hands-on experience in many facets of the industry, including:

• Show and event booking and promotion
• Artist development
• Public relations
• Marketing
• Industry engagement and artist management.
  

Find out more

MusicNSW First Nations Music Development Coordinator Kaleena Smith has led the development of this range of resources in consultation with First Nations organisations and artists to provide artists and industry with easy-to-use guides, checklists and templates.

Find out more here.