Australia's official arts council, Creative Australia, has announced support for First Nations artists as part of its most recent arts projects investment.
The support forms part of the funding and advisory body's recently-announced $17.28 million package designed to support arts projects, performing arts and contemporary music touring, and international engagement.
The investment package places a focus on nurturing First Nations talent by providing grants up to $50,000 to support national tours by musicians performing original contemporary music.
Some 23 artists are set to receive the contemporary music touring grant, including Emma Donovan, Dan Sultan, Jungaji, Buddy Knox, Lucas Proudfoot and Selve.
Eastern Torres Strait Islander, Kiwat Kennell has also received support following the release of his first solo album and the successful release of his single, 'Disconnected' in 2023, co-written with ARIA award winning artist, Dan Sultan.
The investment's international engagement fund will see $1.76M invested across 76 projects through targeted investments to support Australia's engagement internationally after the impact of pandemic border closures.
This includes support for the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, with the fund to support employees from CIAF travel to Italy's Venice Biennale to expand international markets.
Creative Australia Director of Arts Investment, Alice Nash said the organisation is excited to support First Nations talent as well as arts projects and the broader contemporary music scene.
"We are excited to invest in such a diverse and exciting range of arts and creative activity and help deliver the aims of the National Cultural Policy for a thriving creative nation," Ms Nash said.
"We know from our research, Australia is a nation that engages with arts and culture, and we recognise the positive impact this has: for lives, our communities and economy."
Music Australia Director, Millie Millgate said following the establishment of Music Australia, the organisation is able to offer more substantial support for contemporary music.
"These investments will help propel Australian talent onto both national and global stages whilst ensuring the creation of new contemporary work and the presentation of key industry events," Ms Millgate said.
Investment overiew:
- Arts Projects: $12.96M invested in 270 creative projects, supporting new works and an array of activity, including investment through Music Australia, the new dedicated body within Creative Australia established to support and invest in Australian contemporary music.
- Playing Australia: $2M invested in 7 live performing arts organisations, who will tour their work to over 99 unique locations, including regional and remote communities across Australia.
- Contemporary music touring: $563.7K in 23 contemporary music tours to over 150 unique locations across Australia.
- International engagement: $1.76M invested in 76 projects through targeted investments to support Australia's engagement internationally after the impact of pandemic border closures.
