It continues to be a challenging time for the music industry with limited opportunities due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
We're rounding up funding, EOIs and opportunities and grants, and will continue to update this page. See below for national and state-based opportunities.
Support Act Crisis Relief is also available for eligible musicians, crew and music workers experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID crisis. Visit Support Act to find out more about the COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grants (formerly known as MusicKeeper/CrewKeeper).
Australia Council for the Arts is another great place to check for current COVID related assistance for the arts industry.
Tips to get started:
| National Opportunities |
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first nations emerging career development award |
| The First Nations Emerging Career Development Award is open to Australian First Nations artists between 18-30 years old, living in Australia or overseas to pursue their professional development. This unique opportunity is available to artists and arts workers in all disciplines including dance, literature, poetry, visual arts, theatre, music and community arts (2 x $10,000 awards). |
| Applications close 12 October 2021 |
Support Act Crisis Relief |
| Support Act's Crisis Relief is available for eligible musicians, crew and music workers experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID crisis. Find out more about the COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grants (formerly known as MusicKeeper/CrewKeeper). |
| Ongoing |
the red ochre award (lifetime achievement) |
| The prestigious Red Ochre Award was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board in 1993 to pay tribute to a senior Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person for their outstanding lifetime achievement in the arts and their contribution to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, both nationally and internationally (2 x $50,000 awards). |
| Applications close 12 October 2021 |
PLAYING AUSTRALIA: REGIONAL PERFORMING ARTS TOURING FUND |
| The Regional Performing Arts Touring program (Playing Australia) supports performing arts to reach regional and remote communities across Australia. Grants are available to support the net touring and other designated costs associated with tours. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested. |
| Applications close: Tuesday 12 October 2021 (for projects starting after 1 January 2022) OR Tuesday 1 March 2022 (for projects starting after 1 June 2022) |
the dreaming award |
| The Dreaming Award was established in 2012 to support an inspirational young First Nations artist aged 18-30 years to create a major body of work through mentoring and partnerships. The mentor/partner will be another established professional artist or partner nominated by the artist who will guide and mentor the applicant to assist in the development of a new work (2 x $20,000 awards). |
| Applications close 12 October 2021 |
Contemporary music touring program |
| The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original contemporary music. |
| Applications close 1 March 2022 |
australia council for the arts - art projects for individuals and groups |
| This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. |
| Applications close 1 March 2022 |
| New South Wales |
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PPCA PERFORMERS TRUST FOUNDATION GRANTS |
| Established in 1975, the PPCA Performers' Trust Foundation provides grants to promote and encourage music and the music-related performing arts. Grants are provided for: Performances at concerts at or for charitable institutions such as hospitals or homes for the aged; Scholarships for the promotion and encouragement of musical and theatrical education; The promotion and encouragement of the performing arts to the general public; The aid or assistance of any beneficiary who is unable to adequately maintain themselves by their own exertions and other income. |
| Ongoing |
REGIONAL ARTS NSW QUICK RESPONSE GRANTS |
| Regional Arts NSW is the peak body and service agency for arts and cultural development in regional NSW. They are an independent not-for-profit organisation governed by their regional membership of 14 Regional Arts Development Organisations. Individuals can apply for up to $3000, organisations can apply for up to $5000 to support immediate need activities at short notice. |
| Applications close 30 October 2021 |
CREATE NSW COVID DEVELOPMENT GRANTS |
| These COVID Development Grants aim to mitigate the impact of disruption on the development of new works and collaborations by the small-to-medium sector in NSW. Support to individuals and groups of up to $5,000, and up to $10,000 for organisations. |
| Applications close 31 January 2022 |
Sydney International piano competition: Composing the future |
| Australian composers are invited to submit a new or unpublished solo piano piece for consideration by a panel of eminent Australian pianists. The winning work will be awarded major cash prize of A$20,000, and five other entries will be awarded cash prizes of A$2,000 each. All winning pieces will be performed live. |
| Entries close 10 December 2021 |
| Northern Territory |
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Arts and culture grants program |
| 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 |
NTRA Quick Response Grant |
| The NTRA Quick Response Grant category supports creativity, innovation, participation, and access to arts and cultural activities which contribute to the sustainable cultural, social and economic capacity, and well being of individuals and community. |
| Ongoing: Rounds are open on the first of every month and close on the last day of every month. |
Career development opportunities for nt's young artists and arts workers |
| 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 |
| Queensland |
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QUEENSLAND ARTS SHOWCASE PROGRAM (QASP) - ARTS QUEENSLAND |
| QASP provides funding to support individuals, organisations or collectives to deliver vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences for Queensland. |
| Ongoing |
Vinnies Emergency Relief FUND FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY |
| QMusic and Vinnies Queensland have come together to distribute emergency relief funds to Queensland artists, musicians and music industry workers who are facing unprecedented harsh times. |
| Ongoing |
TOURING QUEENSLAND QUICK RESPONSE FUND |
| The Touring Queensland Quick Response Fund (TQF Quick) provides Queensland-based artists, arts organisations and presenters with grants of up to $20,000 to support the delivery of touring performances and community engagement activities allied to performing arts or exhibitions touring. |
| Ongoing |
flying arts alliance - raf quick response grants |
| Quick Response Grants aim to support small arts or cultural projects that cannot be funded by other means because of their nature or timing. For example, you may wish to attend a workshop or complete a project within a certain time frame and cannot access appropriate funding through any other means. |
| Applications close 30 September 2021 |
biily thorpe scholarship |
| The annual A$10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship provides the opportunity for an emerging artist or band to record with an established producer and receive career planning from Chugg Entertainment. |
| Applications close 23 October 2021 |
| South Australia |
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country arts sa - shows on the road |
| This program aims to increase access to the arts through the delivery of professional performing arts to smaller country centres. |
| Applications close 17 December 2021 |
helpmann academy - creative development grants |
| The Creative Development Grants will support eligible emerging creatives with grants of up to $5,000 to kickstart new projects, research and develop ideas/new works or build skills, markets and creative practices. |
| Applications open 4 October 2021 and close 15 November 2021 |
country arts SA - quick response grant: regional arts fund |
| Quick Response Grants fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. |
| Applications close 30 November 2021 |
ruby awards - Stevie Gadlabarti Goldsmith Memorial Award |
| This award recognises outstanding artistic or cultural achievement or contribution by a South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-focused organisation or group, or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified individual. |
| Applications close 8 October 2021 |
ruby awards - Geoff Crowhurst Memorial Award |
| Named in honour of South Australian theatre director Geoff Crowhurst, this award recognises the contribution of an individual or organisation to community arts and cultural development. |
| Applications close 8 October 2021 |
ruby awards - Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award |
| This award recognises outstanding artistic or cultural achievement or contribution by an individual young South Australian. Nominees must be aged 30 years or under as of 30 July 2021. |
| Applications close 8 October 2021 |
ruby awards - Premier’s Award for Lifetime Achievement |
| This award recognises an extraordinary South Australian who, through a lifetime of outstanding service, has made an indelible contribution to arts and culture. |
| Applications close 8 October 2021 |
| Victoria |
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CITY OF MELBOURNE - QUICK RESPONSE ARTS GRANTS |
| Grants are available to artists and small to medium arts organisations across all disciplines and to people from all backgrounds and abilities. Assistance of $4,000 is available. Support will be considered for online content, the development of new or unpresented work, or to successfully deliver a project to the public (either online or at a venue within the City of Melbourne municipality). |
| Applications close 13 October 2021 |
| Western Australia |
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Drug Aware YCulture Regional |
| Through Drug Aware YCulture Regional individuals aged 12 - 26 can apply for up to $4,000 if living in regional WA or up to $6,000 if you live in remote WA, or above the 26th parallel, to support you in delivering your arts project. |
| Applications close 19 November 2021 |
CONTEMporary music fund |
| 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. |
| Ongoing |
regional arts WA - raf quick response grants |
| Quick Response Grants are intended to assist regional artists, arts organisations and communities to take up professional or skills development opportunities, or respond to small project opportunities that arise at short notice. |
| Applications close 30 November 2021 |
getting the show back on the road+ |
| Getting the Show Back on the Road+ (GTSBOTR+) aims to reduce the financial risks associated with running ticketed events in Western Australia (WA) during a COVID-19 impacted period. The program focus is on reducing the financial impact of gross box office lost due to COVID-19 lockdowns or significant disruption due to partial lockdowns, and to encourage the safe continuation of public ticketed events. |
| Applications close 17 February 2022 |
| Australian Capital Territory |
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HOMEFRONT - funding for canberra artists |
| Funding of up to $10,000 per artist will be available for Canberra artists to support arts development and the sustainability of their arts practices over the next 6-9 months. |
| Applications close 23 September 2021 |
arts act - arts activities funding |
| Arts Activities funding is available to ACT-based artists at all stages of their careers and to organisations providing the Canberra community with opportunities to engage in the arts. It supports artists, groups and arts organisations to undertake a broad range of activities including artform-based projects, mentorships, residencies, professional or skills development and opportunities for the community to actively engage in the arts. |
| Ongoing |
| Tasmania |
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| Check back soon for updated grant and funding opportunities in Tasmania! |