Funding, opportunities & grants

Are you ready to become a prolific songwriter? Want to write songs consistently, finish what you start, and build a body of work you’re proud of? 

In this live and online masterclass, you’ll learn four powerful songwriting strategies that have helped thousands of songwriters around the world go from stuck to unstoppable. These practical tips have led to the writing of over 30,000 songs — and countless albums — by everyday creatives just like you.

This session is designed to help you break through your biggest songwriting blocks — whether it’s perfectionism, lack of time, self-doubt, or creative burnout. You'll walk away inspired and equipped with the tools to write more, with more freedom and joy.

This is for you if you want to:

• Write songs week after week with ease
• Record and release your music
• Perform with confidence and connect with your audience
• Reignite your creativity and write your next album

And it’s completely free.

Register for Free Ticket Here

This is How to Start/Finish Your Next Album
Free Songwriting Masterclass with I Heart Songwriting Club
Mon 28 July 8pm AEST

Via Zoom
 

Expand your reach with inclusive and accessible digital marketing techniques. This valuable online workshop is hosted by media accessibility expert Bec Hogan and has been developed to specifically address the needs of marketing and communications workers in the arts, culture and events sectors. 

Discover practical access solutions for social media, websites, e-newsletters and more.  

Online Workshop

Accessible Marketing Workshop - Places Limited
Tuesday 29 July
12.30pm - 2pm 
Closed captioning and Auslan interpreting available on request.  

Nominations for the 2025 AFMAs (Australian Folk Music Awards) are open and close Midnight 31 July 2025.

The 2025 AFMAs are a project of Folk Alliance Australia established to recognise and celebrate the musical and cultural talent, vibrancy, diversity and unique community nature of the Australian Folk Music sector. 12 categories to choose from in 2025. 
Learn more. 

The Multi-Year Investment program for 2026-2028 will focus on audience development in regional and remote communities aligned with national touring activity.

Closes 5 August 3pm AEST

The MATCH Lab program supports artists and artist groups to build fundraising skills, increase knowledge of philanthropy and business partnerships and create sustainable sources of revenue into the future.

Closes 5 August 3pm AEST

How can the sector better support emerging artists with disability? And what does it take to build a sustainable career in the arts?

Come to Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, or join online for our upcoming Access Ideas and Insights event exploring The Emerging Artists Toolkit.

Access Ideas and Insights: The Emerging Artists Toolkit

Tuesday 5 August

Chau Chak Wing Museum + Online

3pm – 4.15pm: 1 hour panel plus 15 min Q&A (in person and online)

4.15pm – 5pm: Networking and light refreshments (in person)

The Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships provide unrestricted, $200,000 tax-free grants over two years to early mid-career Australian artists, creatives and cultural leaders. Specific outcomes for the Fellowships are not required. 
The two criteria used to select Fellows are: outstanding talent and exceptional courage. Specifically, this talent and courage relates to the creative practice of the Fellows and not to cases of personal hardship.
Closes 17 August.

The 2026 Layton Emerging Composer Fellowship encourages and promotes the creation of chamber music works as part of the Australia Ensemble UNSW’s artist development program. The fellowship aims to empower and inspire composers of the highest standard with a focus on creativity and excellence. The winner will receive $10,000 to write one 8-10 minute chamber work for the Australia Ensemble UNSW across the course of a 12-month period, through a competitive selection process determined by UNSW. The Emerging Composer will also be eligible for mentoring sessions leading composers and members of the Australia Ensemble UNSW, and their works will feature in at least one public workshop. 

Closes 22 August 5pm AEST.

Vivid Music is open to innovative music experiences across multiple genres that attract a range of audiences. Events must be exclusive to Vivid Sydney. Vivid Music events should actively promote the night-time economy and provide memorable and world-class experiences for our audiences.

Applications are open to venues, event producers, promoters, artists, industry associations and collectives to submit event concepts.
Closes Friday 26 September 5pm AEST

For songwriters in the NT, WA and Queensland.

The Caring for Country music competition is raising awareness of the importance of caring for Country through biosecurity. Biosecurity involves protecting our environment, maintaining the overall health and wellbeing of the land, its ecosystems, and safeguarding the people who depend on them. There is a total prize pool of $29,500. Prize categories: Schools ($2500), Groups ($2500), Solo ($1500), Dance Video ($2500) and People's Choice ($2500).

Closes 5 October. 

Entries are open for the Unsigned Only Music Competition.
The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded $20,000 (US) in cash plus additional prizes consisting of merchandise and services, all geared toward helping an artist's career. First Place and Second Place winners will also be selected in each category and will be awarded prizes. The First Place winner in the Screen Shot category will also be mentored by a group of music execs who place songs in film, tv, ads, and video games.

$35USD/ song
No deadline given.

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 Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) is a fundraising platform for Australian artists.

Through the ACF, artists upload their project, start their fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate with 100% of donations going directly towards artists’ creative projects.

Through Creative Australia’s bespoke one-on-one coaching sessions, we work in a facilitative style to equip you with the tools, knowledge and opportunities to improve your fundraising capability.

Creative Australia aims to empower artists and arts organisations to secure support from philanthropists, trusts and foundations and develop robust and fruitful business partnerships.

Submit an Expression of Interest to join the NSW Music Prize Nominations Committees and Judging Panels.​​  The objective of this Expression of Interest (EOI) is to convene a Nominations Committee and Judging Panel, as well as a First Nations Nominations Committee and Judging Panel. Committee and judging panel members will use their music industry expertise to nominate, assess and discuss NSW contemporary music artists or acts, releases and their impact over the last 12 months.
Closes 10am AEST 10 July

Up to $2,500 per person for domestic activity and up to $5,000 per person for international touring and travel activity are available via this quick response funding program for NSW contemporary music artists, acts and music industry professionals.
Closes 12pm AEST on the last Friday of each month. 

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.

Cash funding up to $5,000 for individuals.

Cash funding up to $10,000 for organisations.

This grant program supports small scale, community-led projects that encourage communities to take action to improve, enhance, represent or celebrate their local neighbourhoods.

This program is open all year for applications until the budget is exhausted.

You should submit your application at least 8 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

Planning to tour Regional NSW?
Check out this interactive map of venues!

This $10,000 fund supports local creative individuals and organisations to undertake high quality creative projects that activate and benefit our community spaces.
Closes 10 August.

Just 15 kms from the Melbourne CBD, the City of Kingston boasts a vibrant cultural scene and is home to an engaged arts community. To further support the local creative sector, Kingston Arts is pleased to announce our new Performing Arts Development Program for the performing arts.

Whether you're an emerging artist itching to explore a new idea, or a seasoned professional ready to push creative boundaries, our program is designed to support your growth. With tailored assistance to help bring your vision to life, Kingston Arts is committed to fostering creativity and growth within our dynamic arts community.

Ongoing -

• Applications must be submitted by the 14th day of each month to be assessed during that month.
  
  Learn more.

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 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

Celebrate South Australia’s arts, cultural and creative industries by nominating an eligible artistic or creative individual, organisation, performance, exhibition, publication, project, program or event worthy of recognition in one of the 11 award categories. Named after late arts patron, Dame Ruby Litchfield, the annual awards recognise artistic excellence, creative achievement, innovation, community involvement and inspirational leadership.

Categories include

• Outstanding Community Event or Project
• Outstanding Regional Event or Project
• Outstanding Work, Event or Project for Young People
• Outstanding Work or Event Within a Festival
• Outstanding Work or Event Outside a Festival
• Outstanding Collaboration
• Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation or Group
• Geoff Crowhurst Memorial Award 
• Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award
• Stevie Gadlabarti Goldsmith Memorial Award
• Premier’s Award for Lifetime Achievement. 
  
  Nominations close 2pm Tuesday 12 August. 

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

WAM is excited to announce the launch of the Regional Youth Music Program, a free after-school music program designed for young people aged 12–18 living in regional Western Australia. This initiative provides a safe, inclusive and supportive space for young people to connect with others, explore their creativity and build skills in music.

In 2025, the program will be delivered across three regional locations:
Term 3 – Geraldton & Esperance
Term 4 – Bunbury
Closes 24 July.

The Contemporary Music Fund Development Program supports career changing opportunities for individuals, bands and music industry professionals.

The program offers up to $20,000 funding for professional development, sector development, international, national, and regional touring/showcasing opportunities, and recording and promotional activities. 
Closes 4 December 2025. 

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

• 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.

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.