Who can apply?

Individuals/Groups must:

• Identify as First Nations
• Identify as d/Deaf and/or with disability
• Be 18+ years
• Be based in Australia.

Organisations must:

• identify as Australian First Nations organisations:
  • At least 51% First Nations on the board
  • Be known as a First Nations organisation that provides programs for First Nations communities.
• demonstrate a history of working with and supporting Australian artists and/or arts workers who identify as:
  • First Nations who are d/Deaf and/or with disability
• be based in Australia.

Applications must have:

• eligible funding amount requested ($5,000 - $10,000)
• eligible project’s start date is on or after 1 July 2026, and the end date must be completed within 2 years of your starting date.

Please note: You can only submit one application to this grant initiative.

Who cannot apply?

Individuals cannot apply if:

• you are not an Australian First Nations artist and/or arts worker who is d/Deaf and/or with disability
• you are not an Australian First Nations group of d/Deaf artists and/or arts workers.
• you are based outside of Australia
• you have received funding for the same project from Creative Australia
• you have an overdue grant report with Creative Australia
• you owe money to Creative Australia.

Organisations cannot apply if:

• you are not an Australian First Nations organisation
• you do not work with First Nations d/Deaf artists or arts workers, and/or artists or arts workers with disability
• you are based outside of Australia
• you have received funding for the same project from Creative Australia
• you have an overdue grant report with Creative Australia
• you owe money to Creative Australia.

What can be funded

Activities can take place nationally, internationally, online, or in a combination of in-person and online, and can include, but are not limited to:

• creation of new work
• creative development
• experimental arts
• practice-based research
• skills development
• mentoring
• residencies
• presenting and/or attending conferences and network opportunities
• research into access and inclusion best practice
• presentation and promotion
• collaboration
• productions
• exhibitions
• performances
• publishing
• music recording
• materials costs associated with a particular project/program.

Please note: Organisations can only apply for funding that supports projects that benefit working with First Nations artists who are deaf and/or with disability.

If you are not sure if your project is suitable for this round, please contact the Project Manager, Jack Wilkie-Jans, at (02) 9215 9040 or at jack.wilkie-jans@creative.gov.au. 

Your application must comply with the following protocols (if applicable). We may contact you to request further information during the assessment process, or if successful, and a special condition is required as part of your funding contract. 

Protocols for Using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts  

It is recommended to follow these protocols if your project involves working/collaborating/consulting with other First Nations artists, arts and culture workers, organisations, communities, or subject matter.

Resources: 

• Protocols for using First Nations cultural and intellectual property in the arts
• Animation on how First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocols are used in assessments 

Commonwealth Child Safe Framework 

All successful applicants are required to comply with all Australian laws relating to employing or engaging people who work or volunteer with children, including working with children checks and mandatory reporting. Successful organisations that provide services directly to children, or whose funded activities involve contact with children, will additionally be required to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. 

The First Nations Industry Advisory Panel will identify as First Nations d/Deaf and /or with disability artists and/or arts workers that may represent each state, territory, and areas of artistic and cultural expression, including music, dance, visual arts, theatre, literature, experimental arts, and community arts and cultural development.

The First Nations Industry Advisory Panel will review and score eligible applications against the assessment criteria, attend an assessment meeting to discuss the applications, resulting in the recommendation of the top applications to be funded. The recommendations will be provided to the Executive Director, First Nations Arts and Culture to approve.

Under each criterion are bullet points indicating what Industry Advisors may consider when assessing your application. Your answers to the questions do not need to respond to every bullet point mentioned below; please speak only to the bullet points that are relevant to your project.

Project Quality

The Industry Advisory Panel will be looking for:

• a clear project vision, purpose, and outcome
• the artist/group/organisation to demonstrate that they have the skills and experience to deliver the project
• the quality of artistic works previously created or produced by the applicant/group/organisation or people involved in your project
• examples of how your project meets the access needs for your community or targeted group.

Project Impact

The Industry Advisory Panel will be looking for:

• the artist/group to demonstrate what the benefits this project will have on their artistic/cultural practice and skills, professional and career development.
• the organisation to demonstrate the benefits of this project will have working with First Nations artists or arts workers who are deaf and/or with disability in support of their artistic practice, skills, and career development.

Project Viability

The Industry Advisory Panel will be looking for:

• realistic and achievable timeline
• realistic and achievable budget which speaks to the:
  • project costs
  • other income, such as in-kind support
• relevant letters of support and/or confirmation from both First Nations and disability artists and/or organisations, such as:
  • Elders
  • mentors
  • community
• evidence that the Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts have been adhered to (if applicable).
• organisations should demonstrate and evidence:
  • a Disability Access Plan (DAP)
  • strong record of working with First Nations people with disability.

Your responses to the Project Quality, Project Impact, and Project Budget questions can be submitted as:

• written responses (provided in the comment boxes)
• video responses (provided as a URL or MP4 format)
• audio responses (provided as a URL or MP3 format).

Please provide the title of your project (100 characters or less)

Please provide a short summary of your project (800 characters or less)

About you: Tell us about your artistic practice, career development, highlights, and key achievements.

Project Quality

• What are the key steps involved and the outcome of the project? How has access been factored into the overall design of the project?

Project Impact

• For Individuals: Tell us about this project's significant impact on your artistic practice, skills, and career development.
• For Organisations: Tell us about this project’s significant impact on your organisation and the First Nations d/Deaf artists or arts workers, or artist or arts worker with disability’s artistic practice, skills, and career development.

Project Viability

• Are you working with other artists or creatives?
• Are you working with other partner organisations as part of this project?

Activity Details

To be eligible for this funding initiative your project start date must be on or after 1 July 2026, and the end date must be completed within 2 years of your starting date.

For example, start date - 1 July 2026 and end date – 1 July 2028.

Your Activity Timeline should include:

• Dates/Activity, Title and description / Location / State / Confirmed (Yes/No).

Please note: Break down your activities as much detail as possible.

Your Budget

Your project budget should include: 

• Income and in-kind support (Income and in-kind are optional for individuals and groups)
• Expenses

Please note: Break down your budget costs as much as possible

Individuals/Group support material may include: 

• samples of artistic and or cultural work, past and present
• short bios of artists and creative team
• letters of support/confirmation may include:
  • creatives to confirm their support and/or collaboration in the project
  • partnerships to confirm their support and/or collaboration in the project
  • communities confirming their support and/or collaboration in the project
  • First Nations Elders to confirm their support and/or collaboration in the project. 

Organisation’s support material may include: 

• Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) for organisations
• samples of programs past and/or present, that evidence that you have worked with First Nations artists and/or cultural workers who are d/Deaf and/or with disability
• short bios of artists and/or cultural workers who are d/Deaf and/or with disability that you will be working with as part of the project.
• letters of support/confirmation from:
  • artists and/or cultural workers who are d/Deaf and/or with disability confirming their support and/or collaboration in the project
  • partnerships to confirm their support and/or collaboration in the project
  • communities confirm their support and/or collaboration in the project
  • First Nations Elders to confirm their support and/or collaboration in the project.

Ways of providing your support material 

• Our preferred method of receiving support material is via URLs (weblinks).
• You can provide up to three URLs (weblinks) that link to content that is relevant to your project activity. This may include video, audio, images, or written material. 

These URLs can include a total of: 

• 10 minutes of video and/or audio recording
• 10 images
• 10 pages of written material. 

Please note: If you are linking to media files that are private or password-protected, like Vimeo, please provide the password in the password field on the application form. 

Other accepted file formats: 

• if you cannot supply support material via URLs, you may upload support material to your application in the following formats:
• video (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media)
• audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
• images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
• written material (Word and PDF). 

Please note: We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post. Application-related material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender. 

If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online or need advice on what type of material to submit, please contact the Project Manager, Jack Wilkie-Jans, at (02) 9215 9040 or at jack.wilkie-jans@creative.gov.au. 

How to apply

Are you registering to use our Application Management System for the first time? Make sure you register well before the closing date. It may take up to two business days to process your registration. 

• Once you have logged in, follow the next steps:
• select ‘Apply for a Grant’ from the left grey panel menu
• from the list of opportunities select 'First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund
• complete the fields and select answers with dropdown menus
• select ‘Save’ as you work through the application
• if you are not ready to submit your application, you can return to it through ‘Your Draft Applications’ in the left panel menu at a later date
• when complete, please select ‘Submit’.

After you apply

• Once you submit your application, we will send you an email acknowledging that we have received your application.
• After we receive your application, we first check that it meets the eligibility criteria for the grant or opportunity to which you are applying.
• Applications to our grant programs are assessed by arts practice peer panels using the published assessment criteria for the relevant grant program.
• We aim to notify you of the outcome of your application no later than 13 weeks after the published closing date for the grant round.

Successful applications

• Once all applications have been assessed, you will be contacted about the outcome of your application.
• If you have been successful, you will also be sent a funding agreement. This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid, and your grant reporting requirements.

Unsuccessful applications

• If your application is unsuccessful and you would like to request feedback, please contact the Project Manager, Jack Wilkie-Jans, at (02) 9215 9040 or at jack.wilkie-jans@creative.gov.au.

^{Photo: Matt Houston}

Project Title: ‘Jax Paperweight and the Neon Starway’  

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the development of ‘Jax Paperweight and the Neon Starway’, a Middle Grade comedic adventure novel about a young, neurodivergent, Koori boy, Bailey Wailson, and his quest to save his school crush from a mischievous reality hopping rogue named, Jax Paperweight. With the help of some wise talking native animals, Bailey must traverse the ‘Everywhen’ and stop Jax from trapping his school crush in the ‘Lush Nothing’ forever.   
   
This project provides some fun representation from an #OwnVoices perspective of a Koori neurodivergent boy. It utilises Beau Windon’s own social and cultural experiences in primary school and places them in a fun-to-read fantastical comedic world, with the hope of it being a book that can draw in lapsed/non-reading children with similar marginalisations.  

Artist  

Beau Windon is a neurodivergent writer of Wiradjuri heritage that flirts with all genres of creative writing. He was shortlisted in three categories for the 2022 Lord Mayor’s Creative Writing Awards: winning the Self-Told Stories by Writers Living with Disability category and coming runner-up for Indigenous Life Stories. In 2023, Beau was a winner of Griffith Review’s Emerging Voices competition and in 2024 he was a finalist for the Writers Prize in the Melbourne Prize for Literature. He is currently undertaking his PhD in the aesthetic form of neurodivergent literary memoir.

^{Banumbirr Dancers from Elcho Island, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, 2024. Photo by Leicolhn McKellar}

Project Title: Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation: Disability Access and Inclusion Event Improvements    

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) to implement accessibility in the following events, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), Country to Couture, National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). This will include AUSLAN interpreters, closed captioning on all pre-recorded video content, improvements on existing quiet, low-sensory hour at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and create a role for a dedicated volunteer with experience in disability to support artists, arts workers, and guests at events.  

Organisation Bio 

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation is a national non-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating the cultural and artistic diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers. DAAF Foundation provides platforms for First Nations visual art, craft, design, music, and performance through various events, including the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), Country to Couture fashion shows, and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). These events have garnered a reputation for innovation, diversity, and cultural integrity, helping to promote Indigenous Art Centres, artists, and designers on both national and international scales.   

By providing an annual schedule of renowned events, programs, and activities in Garramilla (Darwin) alongside runway and popup events nationally and internationally, the DAAF Foundation supports the creative, business, and cultural aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers. DAAF Foundation provides direct links to integral networks, stakeholders, funders, buyers, and more for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists participating in our events.  

^{Rona Rubuntja of Hermannsburg Potters, Ntaria, NT presenting at the Desert Mob 2023 Artist Talks. Photo: Rhett Hammerton. Courtesy of Desart}

Project Title: Desert Mob 2025 - AUSLAN interpreters   

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the engagement of an AUSLAN service to provide interpreting for artists who are deaf/Deaf at the Desert Mob 2025.  

Organisation Bio 

Desart is the peak arts body providing resources, support and advocacy for over thirty-member Central Australian Aboriginal owned and governed art centres across the remote desert communities of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, and is committed to supporting their continuing autonomy, sustained growth and stability. 

A key part of Desart’s work is the presenting of Desert Mob, the second oldest Aboriginal arts festival in Australia. Desert Mob brings together hundreds of First Nations artists from art centres and communities to Mparntwe/Alice Springs every September. Desert Mob features a renowned program of major exhibition, artist talks, presentations, performances and films, market, workshops and satellite events, attracting thousands of attendees. Desart’s mission in programming is always the enhancing and privileging of First Nation’s artist voices. Priding itself on the hundreds of artists, many with accessibility needs, who attend and participate in the event each year, accessibility is a critical consideration of Desert Mob.  

^{Photo: Fay Mason}

Project Title: paywootta   

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the project called ‘paywootta’, which is about those who come before us and their stories of survival and joy and loss, it aims to encapsulate an Elder’s life, their living story within a piece of artwork that is a woven shawl made with hand dyed yarn with fibres linked to their country.  

Artist Bio 

Fay Mason is a proud Palawa (TAS) person who grew up in Bunarong/Boon Wurrung country (South-east Victoria) and has strong ties to the community of that country. Fay identifies as a disabled Deaf and Blind Aboriginal person who is closely intertwined within their art practice of carrying political messages as their existence is inherently political.   

Fay has delivered many commissions for various people, artists, events, and private practice that can be seen via their social media, and they work closely with Kayla Cartledge behind Our Songlines with workshops and access for Our Songlines events. 

Project Title: Cultural Coconut Tree Weaving & Traditional Woodworking Workshops for First Nations Artists   

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the delivery of targeted First Nations people with disabilities hands-on workshops in cultural coconut tree weaving and traditional woodworking, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists Wasada Gutchen and James De Busch. These workshops will provide an inclusive space for participants prioritising accessibility, offering adaptive tools, support workers, and sign language interpreters to ensure full participation for artists to connect with their cultural heritage, learn traditional crafts, enhance their artistic skills. These workshops will run over 6 months, fostering skill development and cultural pride.  

Organisation bio 

First Storytellers Collective is a proud First Nations-led arts charity based in Queensland. The collective is dedicated to sharing culture through bold storytelling, theatre, creative development, and community engagement. The collective centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices across early childhood programs, youth justice projects, education, and performance work. 

First Storytellers Collective's projects celebrate the strength and diversity of First Nations stories and knowledge systems, with a commitment to cultural integrity, accessibility, and community connection. They work in collaboration with mob, artists, educators, and organisations across the state to create meaningful, culturally safe experiences that empower and uplift. 

^{Photo: Kym Redmond}

Project Title: Jamie Garlett "The Blind musician"  

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the pre-production planning, professional studio recordings, and collaboration with skilled musicians and producers. The outcome will be a professionally produced album that reflects Jamie's personal journey and cultural roots, distributed through streaming platforms and physical CDs. This project will not only showcase Jamie's musical talents but also serve as an inspiration to both First Nations and disability communities.  

Artist Bio 

Jamie is a dedicated father of five and a community Elder who is a musician and songwriter that incorporates his Noongar language into his music. Jamie’s aims to inspire First Nations and disability communities through a blend of traditional and contemporary influences. Jamie has been featured in the Empower Reel (APM) and ABC Interview. He has been recognized by the Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation for cultural heritage and has received the Dream It Forward Grant and was a finalist in Empowerment Reel (APM) and Wheatbelt Has Talent. 

^{Photo: Joanna Agius}

Project Title: Narungga Cultural Experience: Flow Festival 2025 Celebrate Deaf Aboriginal Culture and Storytelling  

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the Narungga Cultural Experience, an immersive project celebrating the stories, language, and resilience of the Narungga mob and Deaf Aboriginal community at the Flow Festival 2025. Led by Joanna Agius, supported by Deaf Aboriginal Services, Flow Festival, and Jacob Boehme, it features interactive storytelling, tactile elements, and Auslan performances. The project promotes inclusivity, cultural respect, and understanding, while breaking down barriers for Deaf and Deaf-Blind communities.  

Artist Bio 

Joanna Agius’s artistic practice combines Deaf culture, First Nations heritage, and accessibility, focusing on immersive experiences that highlight Deaf Aboriginal stories. Joanna directed the Flow Festival Australia (2021-2023) and is currently developing the Narungga Cultural Experience for Flow Festival 2025, featuring storytelling and Auslan performances. Joanna also advocates for representation in the arts and facilitate workshops to inspire cultural pride. 

^{Photo: Carolina Furque}

Project Title: The Buttonverse Expansion   

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the creative development of ‘The Buttonverse Expansion’ a parallel and imaginary multiverse where all Joshua Button’s alter egos lives and interact in a space of healing, forgiveness and becoming better, a universe where one can conjure the past, the present and desires for the future.  

Joshua will collaborate and be mentored by multimedia artist Bernadette Trench-Thiedeman to create more characters, (art works on paper), further develop the script and undertake training in animation to produce a one/two-minute pilot. The ‘Buttonverse Expansion’ is an expansion of Joshua’s art skills.  

Artist Bio 

Joshua Button is an artist, writer, and illustrator from Broome, Western Australia, and a member of the Walmajari People. Joshua has published three children’s books with Magabala Books: Joshua and the Crabs (2010), Steve Goes to Carnival (2016), and At the Zoo I See (2017). 

Joshua’s second book, Steve Goes to Carnival was co-authored with Robyn Wells, won the White Raven Award in 2016 and is published in the USA. Joshua has collaborated with Aboriginal graphic novelist Brenton McKenna and developed storytelling skills with the Centre for Stories in Perth. Recently. Joshua received funding for projects on his family history, Tracking Kanyngnarri and Button, and my new adventure, The Buttonverse. 

^{Photo: Michelle Hyde}

Project Title: Writing Grace - Story Sovereignty and Voice 

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the completion of a novel, ‘Grace’, and self- residency on Country (Tamworth), consultations with Elders and Cultural lived-experience knowledge-holders and residency at Varuna, the Writers House, for writing time.  

The project will benefit Michelle Hyde, as a woman of First Nations (Gamilaraay) descent, who lives with Disability, the larger First Nations community, and wider communities, with and without Disability.  

Artist Bio 

Michelle Hyde is a communicator, speaker, coach, writer, editor and author of Gamilaraay (Tamworth, NSW) descent. She engages with community and culture in many ways including via learning and practicing language and in the creative writing field. Michelle is an active member of the First Nations Australia Writing Network (FNAWN) and Us Mob Writers (ACT) as well as MARION Writers (ACT). Michelle is a member of the MARION Writers Board.  

Michelle is a proud inaugural recipient of the FNAWN Varuna Residency Fellowship (2024), longlisted for the Richell Prize 2024 and a recipient of a 2025 Writers Space Residential Fellowship at Varuna the Writers House, as well as Magabala Discretionary Professional Development Funding 2025.   

Michelle strives to always ensure that her practice and work is culturally responsive and safe. Michelle is a person with Disability and a disability and neurodiversity advocate, who is an active member of People with Disability Australia (PwDA) and was a member of the PwDA Board in 2022-2023. 

Michelle’s writing engages with themes related to inclusion and diversity and tackles questions of story sovereignty – who has the right to tell a story, and what does this mean?  

Michelle believes that storytelling is connecting, and connecting is healing. 

^{Artists: Lillian Kerinaiua, Gordon Pupangamirri, Ken Wayne Kantilla, Marie Yvonne Tipuamantumirri, Alphonso Puautjimi Jnr. Courtesy Ngaruwanajirri Arts Centre} 

Project Title: 2025 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and exhibitions travel support  

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support travel and accommodation for Ngaruwanajirri  Art Centre artists with disability to attend their men’s and women’s exhibition and participate in the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF). 

Organisation Bio 

Ngaruwanajirri Incorporated is an Aboriginal Art Centre in Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory. Since 1994 Ngaruwanajirri has supported Tiwi people with disabilities to make jilamara (Tiwi art).  

Working from the historic, heritage listed Keeping Place Ngaruwanajirri’s artists and carvers maintain and develop Tiwi cultural practices through their artmaking using locally sourced ochres on canvas, paper and stringybark and on ironwood carvings. Other mediums embraced by the artists include batik on silk and block prints. 

The artists connect with Tiwi culture and arts practices with subject matter drawn from Tiwi culture, animal life on the islands and include quirky wood carvings, notably Tiwi ancestor figures, pukumani tutini (burial poles) as well as tokwampini (birds) which are central to Tiwi stories. 

Many artists are represented in collections in museums and galleries across Australia and have been selected for major awards including in 2024 and 2025 Telstra NATSIAA. 

^{Saltwater Freshwater Festival, Smoking Ceremony. Photo: And The Trees Photography} 

Project Title: Expression Unbound: Digital & Traditional Art for Empowerment   

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support a pilot project of four-sessions of art therapy initiatives designed for up to 5 First Nations artists with disability to explore self-expression and well-being through both traditional and digital art. Using Wacom tablets, styluses, and traditional materials, participants will create artworks that culminate in a professional exhibition at The Gallery of Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance.  

This initiative integrates psychological interventions, technological accessibility, and community-driven collaboration to ensure that the voices of artists with disabilities are heard and celebrated. This project merges therapy, technology, advocacy, and artistic innovation to ensure that every artist, regardless of ability, can create, heal, and inspire.  

Org Bio 

Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance is an Aboriginal-owned and led nonprofit dedicated to strengthening culture and community on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Representing the Worimi, Biripi, Dunghutti, and Gumbaynggirr nations (NSW), it supports Aboriginal artists and encourages intergenerational knowledge sharing.  

The annual Saltwater Freshwater Festival is a key event, celebrating Aboriginal culture with music, dance, and art. The organisation also features The Gallery in Coffs Harbour for artists, the biennial Saltwater Freshwater Aboriginal Art Award, and the National Aboriginal Design Agency (NADA), which promotes sustainable Aboriginal design practices. 

^{Photo: Caitlin Murphy} 
Project Title: Social Media Business Name: Voice Threads, ‘You have 1 new voicemail’   

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support the creative development and production of a social media video series in the style of voicemails left by ‘Aunt Martha’, a fictional character inspired by Sethy Willie’s late Nan. In 12 short videos (2-3 minutes long), the series will explore themes around everyday issues that a fictional small country town faces. The series aims to share some unique insights, knowledge, and perspectives that an aunt knows all too well. Using a blend of wisdom and humour, the series will explore some serious issues while aiming to leave the audience with an uplifting, feel-good message. The series will be published under a new social media business account called Voice Threads. 

Artist’s Bio 

Sethy is a proud Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu woman born in Dubbo, NSW, raised on Wiradjuri Country and now living in Magandjin (Brisbane), Queensland. Sethy grew up surrounded by inspiring and comical storytellers in her community. Nanima Mission (NSW), or ‘The Mish’ as Sethy calls it, is where she developed an array of unique character voices by working on imitating those around her. 

Sethy graduated from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, where she studied professional sound recording in Film, Television, and Radio. Sethy worked as a voiceover artist on creative and corporate projects, from ads and educational content to animated projects. Sethy is known for her quirky characters, specializing in vibrant tapestry voices, with her natural ability to adapt, perform on cue, and improvise. Sethy admits that she is a big kid who always brings dynamic energy to each performance.  

^{Photo: Tracy Gray}

Project Title: 'Elder's Love' - Tracy Gray and Daughters  

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund will support Tracy Lee Gray’s new work with her two daughters and a music producer to record 3 original country blue and rock songs; her daughters will record 2 cover songs. Songs will be published online to create interest from wider audiences.  

Artist’s Bio 

Tracy Gray grew up Coonabarabran, singing in church at 8 years old and her idol was Aunty Linda Walker who mentored her in singing country blues and rock music. 

In 1980, Tracy won the Aboriginal Country Music Talent Quest at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Her prize was a recording contract and tour singing on the Brian Young (Youngie) Show taking country music along with other entertainers to the cities and towns of the Australian Outback. Tracy’s recorded songs were published in the Koori Classics, and included 'Clicketty Clack', 'Streets of Tamworth', 'I'm Not Your Jukebox' and 'Use to be a Gold Song'.  

Tracy has worked with Buddy Knox, John English, Casey Chambers, Auriel Andrews, Jimmy Little, Vic Simms, Bobby McLeod, Christine Anu, and Johnny Green's Blues Cowboys. 

You can only make one application for each funding round. This means you can apply for other Creative Australia funding rounds at the same time if they are open.  

You can check what other rounds are currently open via this link: Investment and development.

You will still have time to complete and submit your grant report before the closing date of the round. If you have an overdue grant report at the time of the pre-eligibility check, you will not be eligible to apply for any further grants at Creative Australia. 

We define a ‘group’ as two or more individuals who do not form a legally constituted organisation.  This can include co-collaborators and collectives. 

An ‘organisation’ is a legally constituted organisation that is registered or created by law. For example, incorporated associations, companies limited by guarantee or government statutory authorities are all defined as organisations.

Organisations that are not legally constituted are not eligible to apply for funding in grant categories that are open to organisations only. Organisations may be required to provide a certificate of incorporation or evidence of their current legal status. Funding programs for organisations are not intended for sole traders or partnerships. 

Yes. Having your grant ‘auspiced’ or ‘administered’ means that you are nominating another person or entity to receive the grant funds on your behalf.  

You must decide when applying whether you want your grant to be administered. If your application is successful and you change your mind, we can only change these arrangements in exceptional circumstances. 

Whether or not your grant will be administered is not part of the First Nations Industry Advisors’ considerations. You do not need to provide a letter of confirmation from the entity that will administer your grant. 

While we can support screen-based art, we do not generally support activities associated with short and feature films, television, or documentaries. Please contact your state Screen organisation or Screen Australia, the Federal Government’s primary agency for the production of Australian screen activity.

Applications that focus solely on academic studies or are for activities that are part of assessable coursework are unlikely to be successful with our assessment panels. Assessment panels are also unlikely to support applications requesting the costs of academic fees or courses.

If you wish to apply for study costs, explain to the panel how your project extends, or supplements, the course’s standard curriculum requirements. Also, bear in mind that your project will be assessed on the artistic merit of the work.

If you are applying for an art project grant for funding to complete a training program, course, workshop, or diploma, explain how doing so will impact positively on your career or practice.

No, you must submit your application on the closing date stated in the Guidelines, Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 3:00pm AEST. 

Administrative and technical support is only available during office hours (Monday-Friday) 9:00am to 5:00pm AEDT. 

First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and Disability Project Fund can commence on or after 1 July 2026 and must be completed within 2 years from your proposed start date.  

Creative Australia does not fund activities retrospectively. You may work on your project before then but make it clear in your application that you are not seeking funding support for any stage of the project occurring before 1 July 2026. 

It is best to confirm creative artists or collaborations, partnerships, sources of cash or in-kind, or venue at the time that you apply.  

If there are too many unconfirmed elements of your proposal, the assessors may question its viability. 

The activities timeline and budget are an opportunity to show how well you’ve planned your project. Complete these as thoroughly as you can to show the assessors that your project is organised, well-planned, and viable.  

Break your budget down, so that assessors can evaluate how realistic your budgeting is. Present large budget items in multiple lines and talk about the description next to each dollar ($) amount item. 

Show each major project stage and milestone in your Project Timetable. This allows assessors to see how you plan to work and evaluate how achievable your objectives are. 

Any costs that can be directly related to the project you are proposing are eligible. They may include artist fees, venue hire, consultation fees, childcare costs, travel costs, and costs associated with providing access for people with disability can all be included if they are directly related to your project. 

Creative Australia expects to see artists paid for their work. There is no need to cut back on these expenses or forgo your own fees. We can’t tell you what rate of pay to use. You should consult the relevant representative association for guidance on this question. Whatever rate you use, be clear about how you have calculated your figures, and what rate of pay you are using, and refer to any standards or industry rates in your application. 

You will receive an ‘Acknowledgement of submission’ email from us acknowledging our receipt of your online application. You should keep a copy of this email as proof of your submission.

There will be no further communication from us until a decision has been made on your application. We aim to notify you of the outcome of your application no later than 12 weeks after the published closing date for the grant round.

All applications that are submitted to the First Nations Arts and Culture Strategic Funding will be assessed by a First Nations Panel.

The First Nations Industry Advisors are contacted to participate in the First Nations Panel for First Nations Arts and Culture Strategic Funding Arts. These First Nations Industry Advisors have experience and experience on specific art forms and provide a breadth of knowledge in those art form sectors. Some Industry Advisors can be the previous recipients of past funding rounds.

The First Nations Panel will assess your application on their Assessment Criteria of Project Quality, Project Impact, and Project Viability.

You will receive your grant payment within two weeks of accepting your funding agreement.

Grants may be considered part of your income in a financial year and may be subject to tax. You must determine your taxation liabilities. We suggest you consult your financial adviser or contact the Australian Taxation Office.

Yes, if you have been notified that your application was unsuccessful, you can request feedback on your application.