Creative Australia's most recent suite of investment programs is providing support to a diverse range of talented First Nations artists.
Creative Australia is allocating nearly $500,000 towards Flourish III, a fund dedicated to First Nations musicians, writers, and fashion designers.
The investment aims to contribute to the growth and success of these creative industries.
Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung founder of ethical clothing label Amber Days, Corina Muir, is one of 11 designers supported as part of the Flourish Fund.
"Running a small business can be really hard at times especially in the current climate," she said.
"Being awarded the Flourish Grant has injected Amber Days with a new energy and excitement to continue on with the work."
Creative Australia has committed to investing nearly $60,000 in First Nations Literature by means of Elevate III, a grant program aimed at fostering career development for First Nations individuals and groups.
Wuilli Wuilli woman from Queensland with ancestral ties to the Wakka Wakka and Gooreng Gooreng peoples, Lisa Fuller, is one of the six recipients of this grant.
Ms Fuller, an accomplished writer, sessional academic, and freelance writer/editor, expressed her gratitude for the grant, stating it will enable her to receive mentorship on the intricacies of being a literary agent.
"I'll be learning about supporting authors, advocating for their rights and works, building networks, and using my prior editorial and writing skills to help support writers and their manuscripts," she said.
"I've always been passionate about supporting other writers, so the chance to do it in this new way is exciting," she said.
In addition, Creative Australia has unveiled the six individuals selected for its Space to Create music residency, specifically designed for First Nations musicians, artists, songwriters, and audio engineers.
This residency, which marks its third year of collaboration between Creative Australia and the Australian National University (ANU), offers participants the opportunity to engage in an immersive music residential program held in Canberra at the ANU School of Music and the Yil Lull Studio.
The program is led by the talented Torres Strait Islander musician, Will Kepa.
"We don't want to merely provide a studio facility to the participants of the program to come and record their songs and release an album," he said.
"The aim of the program is to provide a platform that will hopefully help the artists gain knowledge, skills and experience required to grow professionally in their desired area of interest.
"Every participant will have their own studio time to work on their individual projects. For some of the participants, this is an excellent opportunity to start with what they want to do to take the next step in their career."
Noongar-Greek woman from Minang Goreng country in the Great Southern Region of WA and acclaimed songwriter, Lilly Gogos, said Space to Create III provides a lot of opportunities.
"Participation in the Space to Create III means I get to network, collaborate, travel and meet new like-minded people to work with, which also brings together Aboriginal artists from all over Australia to create, develop relationships and music connections that hopefully we can use to unite us more within the music community in Australia," she said.
