Creative Australia, First Nations briefing
Earlier this year the Government launched the National Cultural Policy outlining a First Nations First approach to arts and creativity. In this special webinar briefing, Australia Council’s Executive Director First Nations Arts and Culture Franchesca Cubillo discusses our transformation into Creative Australia and the establishment of a dedicated First Nations-led Board.
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For over 50 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders have brought a guiding voice to Creative Australia (previously the Australia Council) – and to the nation – on matters relating to First Nations arts and culture and the broader arts and cultural sector.
The First Nations Arts and Culture Strategy Panel advises on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural matters and ensures we delivers on our First Nations Arts and Culture Strategy.
To strategically support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture, the Strategy Panel takes a holistic and systemic view privileging Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. This view embraces global conversations of social justice, climate justice and decolonisation.
Download the First Nations Arts and Culture Strategy 2023–27 [PDF] [RTF].
Our research program investigates the First Nations arts ecology and promotes greater participation in First Nations arts experiences by all Australians.
First published in 2002 and revised in 2007, this protocol guide endorses the rights of First Nations people to their cultural heritage and supports First Nations creative practice. This protocol guide encourages self-determination and helps build a strong and diverse First Nations arts sector. These are key goals and priority areas for us.
Creative practitioners who work with First Nations artists or engage with First Nations cultural heritage in projects, and are funded through our programs are required to comply with this protocol guide as a condition of funding.
Over the years, the principles and protocols contained in this protocol guide have also been applied nationally and internationally – educating readers and users on First Nations Australian cultural heritage, and encouraging meaningful collaborations with First Nations artists and creators.
We deliver dedicated funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, groups and organisations. This funding is assessed wholly by Indigenous peers.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, groups and organisations are also welcome to apply for the range of grants and opportunities we offer.
Scroll down this page to find opportunities for First Nations artists and organisations.
Need help with your application? Contact a Grants Officer now
Our submission to the Closing the Gap Refresh advocates for increased investment in First Nations arts and cultural expression, cultural maintenance, and First Nations-led culturally based solutions across portfolios. It draws on the growing body of evidence showing participation in arts and culture supports outcomes across the Closing the Gap framework.
Our submission was developed in collaboration with our First Nations stakeholders. First Nations peoples’ indivisible rights to culture and self-determination are central in our submission. For decades, First Nations peoples have advocated for the critical role of culture – as a necessary part of the solution to First Nations disadvantage, and for the healing and strengthening of individuals and communities. However, culture has been the missing element from the Closing the Gap framework to date. Funding for First Nations culture made up just 1% of total direct government expenditure for First Nations Australians in 2015–16, and cultural outcomes have not featured in the measurement framework.
Now is the moment to invest in the inherent value and foundational role of strong culture in the Closing the Gap agenda.
Click here to read more.
Mary Katatjuku Pan from Amata (SA) with Punu Kutjara. 2016. Image by Rhett Hammerton. Copyright Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Opportunities for First Nations Artists
Download: Digital Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Workshop Series
April 18, 2025 3:00 pm (AEST)
Download is a workshop for First Nations artists and arts workers at all career stages, who are engaging or wish to engage more with digital practice and learn more about ICIP.
Playing Australia Project Investment
June 3, 2025 3:00 pm (AEST)
Playing Australia Project Investment supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.
Download: Digital Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Online Workshop Series
June 5, 2025 12:00 pm (AEST)
Online workshops, from 8 May to 5 June, for First Nations artists and arts workers at all career stages, who are engaging or wish to engage more with digital practice and learn more about ICIP.
First Nations Arts: d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund
Grants to support projects and professional development opportunities across all art forms, nationally and internationally, from $5,000 to $10,000.
Uplift: Digital Skills Program
Supporting First Nations led digital capability and training initiatives.
Contemporary Music Touring Program
$5,000 – $50,000
This program provides up to $50,000 to support national tours by musicians performing original contemporary music.
Arts Projects for Organisations
$20,000 to $100,000
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
$10,000 to $50,000
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Storytelling and Recording: First Nations Project Fund
Supporting First Nations media organisations and individuals to create culturally significant storytelling and recording projects.
First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award
Recognising innovation and excellence in entrepreneurship among Australian First Nations arts and culture businesses nationwide for small to medium businesses and organisations.
Download: Digital Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Workshop Series
Download is a workshop for First Nations artists and arts workers at all career stages, who are engaging or wish to engage more with digital practice and learn more about ICIP.
Playing Australia Project Investment
Playing Australia Project Investment supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.
Download: Digital Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Online Workshop Series
Online workshops, from 8 May to 5 June, for First Nations artists and arts workers at all career stages, who are engaging or wish to engage more with digital practice and learn more about ICIP.
First Nations Arts: d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund
Grants to support projects and professional development opportunities across all art forms, nationally and internationally, from $5,000 to $10,000.
Uplift: Digital Skills Program
Supporting First Nations led digital capability and training initiatives.
Contemporary Music Touring Program
$5,000 – $50,000
This program provides up to $50,000 to support national tours by musicians performing original contemporary music.
Arts Projects for Organisations
$20,000 to $100,000
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
$10,000 to $50,000
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Storytelling and Recording: First Nations Project Fund
Supporting First Nations media organisations and individuals to create culturally significant storytelling and recording projects.
