Creative Australia continues to build a vibrant future for First Nations arts and culture with initiatives such as the Flourish: First Nations Fashion and Textiles Fund, the Space to Create: First Nations Music Residency, and the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards. We are committed to fostering growth, creativity, and cultural expression through dedicated support, professional development and strategic funding.
Championing First Nations arts and culture
In 2023-24, we invested $25.5 million into First Nations arts, championing new works, providing professional development opportunities, and facilitating strategic partnerships both nationally and internationally.
With the launch of the First Nations Board and a renewed focus on capacity building, Creative Australia offers diverse opportunities for collaboration, funding and growth. Whether through grants, fellowships or international platforms like the Venice Biennale and the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), we are proud to champion the voices and visions of First Nations creatives, locally and globally.
New initiatives
In 2024 Creative Australia launched the first round of First Nations First industry development initiatives, informed by extensive community consultation on the sector’s priorities and needs.
The new programs include a range of opportunities for young people. There is also investment in creative business development, music and a suite of new awards to recognise and celebrate First Nations arts and creatives.
The programs have been developed in response to community consultation on pillar one of the National Cultural Policy, Revive, First Nations First.
Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund
Grants from $10,000 to $20,000 available to build the capacity of First Nations young people’s skills development, career pathways, marketing and audience development to maintain and elevate their practice and engagement in the arts and cultural sectors.
Arts Business: First Nations Development Fund
Providing grants from $10,000 to $50,000 to build sustainable business practices and support economic and social development opportunities.
Space to Create: First Nations Music Residency
Building on the success of the existing program, it will be expanded to a two-week residency. The residency opportunity is open to emerging through to established First Nations musicians, artists, songwriters, audio engineers, producers and those employed in the music industry.
