Funding

SOUNDS AUSTRALIA is not a funding body and therefore not in a position to offer any kind of financial assistance. In the interest of staying neutral and fair, we do not provide Letters of Support to funding bodies on any artist’s behalf.

It is important to note that funding is available through different State grant programs.

Make sure you cost your entire initiative out first with funding assistance and without (don’t forget to budget in the correct currency).

The Australia Council for The Arts

Information about Australia Council’s new funding model and how to apply can be found here

CAREER DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

If you are an individual artist, arts worker or group of artists, this grant can provide support to further develop your skills or improve your capacity to build an enduring career. Grants are available from $5,000 to $25,000.

In 2019, the grant rounds will close on:

  • Tuesday 5 February for projects starting after 1 May 2019.
  • Tuesday 4 June for projects starting after 1 September 2019.
  • Tuesday 1 October for projects starting after 1 January 2020.

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

ARTS PROJECTS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

Our arts projects program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences:

In 2019, the grant rounds will close on:

  • Tuesday 5 February for projects starting after 1 May 2019.
  • Tuesday 4 June for projects starting after 1 September 2019.
  • Tuesday 1 October for projects starting after 1 January 2020.

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

ARTS PROJECTS – ORGANISATIONS

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Only organisations are eligible to apply. Grants are available from $10,000 to $100,000.

In 2019, the grant rounds will close on:

  • Tuesday 5 February for projects starting after 1 May 2019.
  • Tuesday 4 June for projects starting after 1 September 2019.
  • Tuesday 1 October for projects starting after 1 January 2020.

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

Export Market Development Grants

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for small to medium aspiring and growing export-ready businesses. It encourages businesses to increase international marketing and promotion expenditure. Eligible exporters are reimbursed up to 50 per cent of eligible export promotion expenses above $5,000, up to a maximum of $150,000, provided total eligible expenses incurred amount to at least $15,000.

The lodgement period for EMDG applications opens on 1 July.

More information can be found here

Create NSW

Create NSW offers direct funding to organisations, artists, practitioners and arts and cultural workers through the Arts and Cultural Development Program (ACDP).

ACDP Funding guidelines can be found here

Arts and Cultural Projects

This program supports professional arts and cultural projects at any stage of the creative process. It aims to:

  • deliver a dynamic and diverse range of arts and cultural experiences to communities across NSW
  • contribute to the development of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector in NSW
  • strengthen professional arts and cultural development in the small-to-medium arts and cultural sector
  • contribute to arts and cultural excellence and innovation
  • increase the accessibility of vibrant arts and culture in NSW
  • support the employment and development of professional NSW-based artists and arts/cultural workers
  • deliver arts and cultural outcomes in ACDP priority areas

What you can apply for:

You can apply for up to $60,000 for projects delivered within 12 months.
You can apply for up to $75,000 for projects delivered within 24 months.

Applications are currently closed.

Artist Support Quick Response

This program supports time-sensitive professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists and arts/cultural workers. It aims to:

  • enable professional artists and arts/cultural workers to attend or participate in outstanding time-sensitive opportunities
  • build the capacity and skills of professional artists and arts/cultural workers, and strengthen their capacity to become arts and cultural leaders
  • develop new markets and audiences nationally and internationally
  • promote the NSW arts and cultural sector nationally and internationally.

Who can apply:

In addition to the general requirements for this funding category your opportunity must:

  • contribute significantly to the development of your professional skills; and
  • be time-sensitive (unable to be planned for, offered with late notice or requiring quick acceptance).

Priority will be given to applicants who have not received Artist Support (Quick Response) funding in the last 12 months.

What you can apply for:

You can apply for up $5,000 for professional, skills or market development activities.

Closing dates and timeframe:

Activities must take place between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019.

This is an open round. Applications are received throughout the year (until Monday 1 April 2019).

Activities must be due to start at least four weeks after your application has been submitted.

ABORIGINAL QUICK RESPONSE

This program supports professional and market development opportunities for NSW Aboriginal artists and arts/cultural workers. It aims to:

  • Assist market and professional development opportunities
  • Support activities consistent with the objectives of the NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy 2015-18 – Connection, Culture, Pathways.

Who can apply:

In addition to the general requirements for this funding category, you must be:

  • an individual professional artist or arts/cultural worker, partnership or group, or
  • a NSW organisation working with the Aboriginal arts and cultural sector.

What you can apply for:

You can apply for up to $5,000.

Closing dates and timeframe:

This is an open round. Applications are received throughout the year (until Monday 1 April 2019).

Activities must take place between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019.

Activities must be due to start at least four weeks after your application has been submitted.

ArtsNT

QUICK RESPONSE SCHEME

Quick response grants offer up to $1,000 per financial year for arts and cultural projects that need funding at short notice.

Quick Response grants are part of the NT Arts Grants Program.

They are available all year round.

This funding provides support for professional and emerging artists and arts workers for all of the following:

  • expression of identity through arts and culture
  • increased arts participation and access
  • employment of NT artists.

Arts NT – Arts Brokers on 8999 8981 Free Call 1800 678 237

Email arts.office@nt.gov.au

Arts QLD

Queensland Arts Showcase Program

The Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) provides funding to support individuals, organisations or collectives to deliver vibrant and accessible arts and cultural experiences for Queensland.

This is a rolling fund with applications accepted at any time.

Arts Ignite – funding of up to $60 000 for new works

  • Support the creative development and public presentation of new works which respond to demand.
  • Cultivate new and emerging talent and extends artists and/or organisations’ practice, audiences and markets.

How to apply

  1. Read the Queensland Arts Showcase Program documents: guidelines, application form, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and important information for applicants.
  2. Apply online.

Also for organisations:

  • Billy Thorpe Scholarship – $10,000 prize for Queensland based contemporary bands or solo artists. Applications are currently closed.
  • Backing Indigenous Arts – Bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures of Queensland to the world.

Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship 

The fellowship will consist of an award of $25,000 to a Queensland based contemporary songwriter. The recipient will undertake a trip of up to two months to either London, Berlin or New York. The Fellowship has been designed to expose the recipient to the full cultural life of one of these cities as a source of inspiration and creativity. Applications are currently closed.

 

Arts SA

The Contemporary Music funding program is divided into two areas of focus:

  • Artist Development Grants
  • Industry Development Grants
    • Strategic Partnerships
    • Pocket Grants
    • Organisations Funding

Touring grants are available to support scheduled performances in regional SA, interstate or internationally, that build audiences and/or professional networks.

For the purposes of this grant, a tour is defined as three or more confirmed performances in recognised music and/or house concert venues.

Regional SA and National Touring
You can apply for up to $10,000 towards associated, eligible expenses.

International Touring
You can apply for up to 50% of total eligible expenses capped at $15,000.

KEY DATES

Commencement date: 1 March 2019

CONTACT:

Elizabeth Reid Project Officer, Contemporary Music
elizabeth.reid@sa.gov.au
(08) 7320 3307

Arts Tasmania

We recommend you seek advice from a program officer before submitting your application. Program officers are a useful source of information and can provide advice on your application at any stage of the process.

You can discuss your project with a member of Arts Tasmania’s grants team before you submit an application. Contact the grants team on 03 6165 6666 or grants@arts.tas.gov.au

ARTSBRIDGE

This program supports:

  • individuals and groups to undertake interstate or overseas opportunities
    and
  • individuals, groups and organisations to bring national and international arts professionals to Tasmania to conduct creative and/or professional development opportunities.

If you are seeking funding towards a national or international opportunity, you can apply for:

  • up to $3 000 per person
  • up to $10 000 for a group of four people or more.

If you are seeking funding towards bringing one or more practitioners to Tasmania, you can apply for:

  • up to $1 000 towards bringing practitioners from interstate
  • up to $3 000 towards bringing practitioners from overseas.

Applications are currently closed

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

This program supports individuals and groups to undertake projects that enable them to further their careers, enrich their artistic practice and contribute to Tasmania’s arts sector.

There are no limits or caps in place for this program.

Applications are currently closed

THE ARTS TASMANIA CLAUDIO ALCORSO INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY

This program supports individual artists working in any artform to undertake self-directed residencies and professional development opportunities overseas.

It is offered in partnership with the Alcorso Foundation.

Applications relating to projects that that focus on quality international creative and cultural exchange which will add value to the social and cultural fabric of Tasmania’s community are encouraged.

This program provides funding for a variety of international opportunities which may include masterclasses, workshops, internships, mentorships and other significant opportunities for professional development.

You may submit up to two applications per round.

  • $3 500 for projects of less than four weeks
  • $7 000 for projects of four weeks or more

Applications are currently closed

Creative Victoria – MUSIC WORKS

MUSIC WORKS MAJOR FUNDING

The Music Works Grants program invests in the development and support of Victoria’s contemporary music artists and music industries. It provides support for projects and programs that will develop and bring dynamism to Victoria’s contemporary music sector, increase employment and build cultural capital. The program is open to new ideas, new modes of practice and new approaches to the delivery of contemporary music that will build on Victoria’s position as a world famous live music capital and Australia’s contemporary music hub.

Download the Music Works – Major Round program guidelines

Funding available

  • $2,500 – $20,000 for individuals
  • $2,500 – $75,000 for groups/organisations

Key Dates:

Round opens: 31 January 2019 using the Creative Victoria Grants Portal.
Round closes: 5pm, 28 February 2019
For activity commencing from 1 June 2019.

It takes approximately 12 weeks from the closing date until funding results are available.

Who to talk to:

Kaushali Seneviratne
kaushali.seneviratne@ecodev.vic.gov.au
(03) 8683 3106

QUICK RESPONSE GRANTS

Music Works Quick Response Grants provide support to individuals, groups and organisations to cover immediate opportunities in Regional Activity,  Building Capacity (Professional Development) and Connecting to Markets areas of funding.

Download the Music Works – Quick Response program guidelines (DOC, 207.5 KB).

Funding available

  • $1,000 – $5,000 for individuals
  • $1,000 – $15,000 for groups/organisations

Key dates:

Applications for funding are made using the Creative Victoria Grants Portal

For activity commencing from 7 February 2019:
Round Opens: 3 January 2019
Round Closes: 5pm, 17 January 2019

For activity commencing from 18 April 2019:
Round Opens: 21 February 2019
Round Closes: 5pm, 21 March 2019

Please note:  It takes approximately 4 weeks from the closing date until funding results are available.

Who to talk to:

Kaushali Seneviratne
kaushali.seneviratne@ecodev.vic.gov.au
(03) 8683 3106

MUSIC PASSPORT

Music Passport Grants is a competitive grants category of the Music Passport program.  The program seeks to support not for profit organisations to undertake international activities that increase economic opportunities for Victoria’s contemporary popular music sector.

Projects need to aim to:

1. Open up new international markets or increase the market share for Victorian contemporary music.

2. Create new career and business opportunities for Victorian contemporary musicians and the industry more broadly.

3. Build on existing connections and programs (within and outside of the music industry) to create opportunities for Victorian musicians, music businesses and organisations.

Music Passport Grants will not support touring, or projects where the main activity is performance.  Please refer to the Music Works Grants Major Funding Rounds or Quick Response Grants for these activities.

All applications MUST be discussed with program staff before applying.

Download the Music Passport Grants guidelines here DOC, 177.5 KB.

Funding available

  • Up to $20,000 per application

There is a total pool of up to $100,000 over two years, with $50,000 available in this financial year (2017/18) and another $50,000 available in 2018/19.  Once the annual pool is exhausted in 2017/18, there will be no further funding until next financial year.

Who can apply

  • Not for profit organisations (NFPs) – for profit organisations can partner with a NFP

All prospective applicants must speak to program staff before applying.

Key dates

Round Opens: 26 July 2017 using the Creative Victoria Grants Portal
Round Closes: 27 June 2019 OR once the 2018/19 funding allocation is exhausted.

Read more about the Music Works programs

Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) 

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FUND GRANT PROGRAM

The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program will assist homegrown contemporary music artists with projects that enable them to produce and promote their work, building links nationally and internationally.

The program provides funding support to the WA contemporary music sector across a range of activities.

The program offers grants in two categories:

  • U-15k for applications up to $15,000
  • 15k-plus for applications $15,000 to $60,000

Objectives

  • Capitalise on available opportunities for the contemporary music sector
  • Contribute to the development of markets for WA music locally, nationally and internationally
  • Ensure a strong representation of musicians and music professionals from Aboriginal, regional, and cultural and gender diverse backgrounds.

Apply for a grant

Check the Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program Guide (PDF, 388Kb) for information on categories, who can apply, how to apply, when to apply and eligible activities.

The Key Dates Calendar (PDF, 148Kb) has application open, draft review, closing and activity start dates.

If you are applying for the U-15k category, use the U-15k Business Day Calculator (.xlsx) to work out the final eligible day you can submit your application.

Register or Login to Online Grants to apply online.

Refer to the Application Manual (PDF, 424Kb) for further instructions on completing your application.

Contact a Grants Officer if you need assistance.

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

DCA’s Creative Development Grants Program supports the development and growth of sustainable, professional creative practice in Western Australia.

Grants are available for a range of activities that will deliver on one or more of the following objectives:

  • support the development of high quality creative and cultural works/products;
  • support professional and skills development of artists, arts workers, cultural workers, and creative industry professionals at different points in the life cycle of their careers;
  • promotes WA’s cultural and creative vibrancy;
  • develop partnerships, markets and audiences for Western Australian work.

Check the Creative Development program handbook for information on who can apply, when to apply and eligible activities.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

DCA’s Commercial Development Grants Program provides project funding to assist WA-based creative businesses to develop their commercial potential, increase business viability and extend market reach.

Grants are available for a range of projects or activities undertaken with the objective of:

  • increasing sales or business revenue
  • building audiences or client bases
  • accessing new markets or increasing market share
  • promoting or strengthening business/brand profile; or
  • developing strategic business or commercial significance.

Check the Commercial Development program handbook for information on who can apply, when to apply and eligible activities.

APRA AMCOS Overseas Performance Reports EMDG Guide
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