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.
Make sure you cost your entire initiative out first with funding assistance and without (don’t forget to budget in the correct currency).
See below for various Federal and State funding opportunities for international activity.
Information about Australia Council’s new funding model and how to apply can be found here
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:
Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.
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:
Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.
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:
Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.
The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industries.
The EMDG scheme:
See EMDG at a glance (PDF) for an overview of the scheme.
What is a grant year?
A grant year is the financial year (July to June) in which the dates of the expenses being claimed actually occurred.
Expenses incurred in a grant year must be claimed as part of the EMDG application submitted in the financial year immediately following (except your first application, which can include expenses from the two financial years immediately before the application).
The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP) supports the delivery of high-quality public diplomacy initiatives which promote our economic, artistic, and cultural assets to an international audience. These initiatives strengthen Australia’s reputation as an innovative, creative nation and foster collaborative people-to-people links internationally.
Cultural diplomacy outcomes
Projects supported by the ACDGP should advance the soft-power and partnerships aims of the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper by:
ACDGP objectives
The ACDGP will achieve DFAT’s cultural diplomacy outcomes by:
Next grants round
The ACDGP is currently being evaluated in line with the Soft Power Review. The 2019 grants round will be open later this year. Please check back for updates.
The International Relations Grants Program (IRGP) supports the Government’s foreign policies and economic diplomacy interests and projects a positive contemporary image of Australia. IRGP grants support professional, community and institutional linkages between Australia and its partners on contemporary issues of shared interest including business, education, innovation, science, technology, the arts, media and sport.
Funding options are available from the following foundations, councils and institutes:
Grant round dates
The 2019 FCIs annual grant rounds open in the first week of February 2019. Information specific to each foundation, council or institute can be found on their respective web pages. Applications are made via the Australian Government’s website: Grantconnect.
Grants eligibility
There is considerable competition for grant money with approximately 10 per cent of applications being successful. Individual grants generally do not exceed $40,000 per year. IRGP grants are managed in accordance with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines. Grants are generally not awarded for:
Given the competition for grants funding, requested travel costs should be reasonable (refer to the ATO website).
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
This program supports time-sensitive professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists and arts/cultural workers. It aims to:
Who can apply:
In addition to the general requirements for this funding category your opportunity must:
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:
The latest funding round is now closed.
This program supports professional and market development opportunities for NSW Aboriginal artists and arts/cultural workers. It aims to:
Who can apply:
In addition to the general requirements for this funding category, you must be:
What you can apply for:
You can apply for up to $5,000.
Closing dates and timeframe:
The latest funding round is now closed.
This program supports NSW artists, practitioners, and arts/cultural workers to undertake self-directed professional development programs or significant opportunities to support their personal creative and career advancement.
Who can apply?:
In addition to the general requirements for this funding category:
Read more about who can apply for Fellowships in the Grants for Individuals Guidelines (short version) or the full version of the Arts and Cultural Development Program Guidelines.
Please note: receiving a fellowship is a one-off opportunity, you may not receive a fellowship in the same category twice.
Please note: there are no special eligibility requirements for the NSW Music and NSW Performing Arts Fellowships offered through the ACDP.
What you can apply for:
Closing dates and timeframe:
The latest funding round is now closed.
Presentation and promotion grants offer support for projects which present, exhibit, distribute or promote and profile Northern Territory (NT) arts practice locally, nationally or internationally.
The grants are part of the Northern Territory Arts Grants Program and support all of the following:
What you can apply for
You can apply for up to $20,000 per applicant.
Examples of activities that may be funded are:
Who can apply
You can apply for this grant if you, your group or organisation meet the general NT Arts Grants Program requirements.
When you can apply
There are two funding rounds each year.
Round 2 opens 1 February 2019 and closes 11 March 2019 for projects commencing 1 July 2019.
The Professional Development Fund grants offer support for professional artists and arts workers in the Northern Territory (NT) to access development opportunities.
The grants are part of the NT Arts Grants Program and support all of the following:
What you can apply for
You can apply for up to $2,000 per financial year per applicant.
Examples of activities that may be funded are:
Support for attending awards, ceremonies, exhibitions and competitions is not a priority.
Who can apply
You can apply for this grant if you, your group or your organisation meet the general NT Arts Grants Program requirements.
At least 50 per cent of the total budget for the activity must come from sources other than Arts NT. This may include in-kind support.
If your application involves international travel or employees of arts organisations which receive $100,000 or more in funding per year, you should discuss your application with the Senior Arts Broker before applying.
When to apply
You can apply for a Professional Development Fund grant all year round.
Quick Response Scheme grants offer support for artists and arts workers to access arts and cultural opportunities on short notice.
The Quick Response Scheme grants are part of the NT Arts Grants Program and support all of the following:
What you can apply for
You can apply for up to $1,000 per financial year per applicant.
Examples of activities that may be funded are:
Who can apply
You can apply for this grant if you, your group or your organisation meet the general requirements of the NT Arts Grants program.
At least 50 per cent of the total budget for the activity must come from sources other than Arts NT. This may include in-kind support.
If your application involves international travel or employees of arts organisations which receive $100,000 or more in funding per year, you should discuss your application with the Senior Arts Broker before applying.
When to apply
You can apply for a Quick Response Scheme grant all year round.
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.
How to apply
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.
Funding for Contemporary Music in South Australia is facilitated by the Music Development Office, and delivered through the Dept for Industry & Skills.
Full details in the HANDBOOK.
Funding is made available to:
The Contemporary Music Grant program is divided into two areas of focus: Artist Development and Industry Development:
If you are interested in applying for a new grant through the Contemporary Music Grant Program, in the first instance please read the FAQs for the program, then download the essential HANDBOOK for the round.
NEXT ROUND 2019:
Categories: Recording, Touring, Marketing, Skills & Development, Festivals & Events, Strategic Partnerships
Round opens: Monday 8 July 2019
Application deadline: Monday 12 August 2019
Projects can start from: 01 October 2019
Contact:
Elizabeth Reid, Program Officer, Music Development Office: 08 7320 3307, elizabeth.reid@sa.gov.au.
Arts Tasmania offers a range of grant programs for professional artists, arts businesses and arts organisations. We also offer programs to support small museums and collections to manage movable cultural heritage.
For more information on how to apply, visit information for applicants.
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
This program supports:
If you are seeking funding towards a national or international opportunity, you can apply for:
If you are seeking funding towards bringing one or more practitioners to Tasmania, you can apply for:
July round
Opens: 20 May 2019
Closes: 1 July 2019
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.
Opens: 20 May 2019
Closes: 1 July 2019
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.
Applications are currently closed
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
Key Dates:
Submissions are currently closed
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
Key dates:
Applications for funding are made using the Creative Victoria Grants Portal
For activity commencing from 13 June 2019:
Round Opens: 26 April 2019
Round Closes: 5pm, 23 May 2019
Please note: It takes approximately 3 weeks from the closing date until funding results are available.
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
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
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.
Open to Victorian music artist managers and independent labels, the Fast Track Fellowship facilitates international professional development, relocates selected participants overseas and immerses them within music companies over a two month period.
The Fast Track Fellowship program includes return flights, visas and insurance as well as financial support for accommodation, on ground logistics, per diems and registration fees for professional industry events.
Applications are currently closed.
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:
Objectives
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.