Not a member yet? Join APRA AMCOS

Already started a Writer Member application? Continue

The NATSIMO welcomes the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy

Media Published Thursday 2 February 2023

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Officer (NATSIMO) welcomes the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy.

"The centrality and commitment to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture in the policy is beneficial in ensuring that respectful and appropriate processes are implemented to best represent NATSIMO’s members, their works and, their cultural legacies. It is vital that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators, artists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led music businesses and workers have a voice and agency across the full breadth of the music industry ecosystem," said Nathaniel Andrew, NATSIMO Education and Special Projects Manager.

“The five pillars create potential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators to protect Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property contained within their contemporary and traditional works through self-determined decision-making. This will ultimately advance our works and create global connections, while increasing the economic, social, and cultural value and significance of our members' work.

“The NATSIMO looks forward to working closely with the government and its agencies as well as our 2,000+ members and colleagues across the industry to implement the policy so we can continue to best support the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters and composers.

"The NATSIMO also supports the development of Music Australia and looks forward to advocating on behalf of our members. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators to learn more about Creative Australia’s new First Nations body by participating in Creative Australia’s upcoming briefing sessions – go to: Creative Australia - Australia Council for the Arts."

Other key measures within the Revive national cultural policy that are of relevance to the work of NATSIMO include:

  1. Introducing stand-alone legislation to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultural expressions.
  2. Establishing a First Nations Languages Policy Partnership between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and government to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  3. Increasing support for regional arts and culture through an increase to the Regional Arts Fund.
  4. Supporting specialist in-school arts education programs that directly draw from cultural and creative sector expertise, focusing on areas of identified disadvantage.
  5. Formation of a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Board which supports self-determination, the telling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and stories, and strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creative workers.
  6. The establishment of the Centre for Arts and Entertainment, alongside ongoing funding for Support Act, will support a long-term and sustainable cultural and behavioural change in workplaces across the sector.
Top