National Funding

CREATIVE AUSTRALIA

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Supported activities must last no longer than two years from the proposed start date.

More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups/

 

Arts Projects – Organisations

Applications are currently closed.

The next round closing dates are:

• Tuesday 3 September 2024 at 3pm AEST, for projects beginning after 1 December 2024.

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Organisations that undertake arts programs, projects or that provide services to artists are welcome to apply.

Organisations can propose a single project, a suite of projects or annual programs of activity.

Grants are available from $20,000 to $100,000. Supported activities must last no longer than two years from the proposed start date..

More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/arts-projects-organisations/

 

MUSIC AUSTRALIA

 

International Performance And Touring Activity

Applications are currently closed.

The establishment of the Music Australia Export Development Fund forms a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative, designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists at distinct phases of their international careers. 

The program has been developed to support emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practicing music professionals. This includes solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers and electronic artists, producers, songwriters and composers.

The International Performance and Touring fund (Category 1) is designed to support international touring and showcase activity, with matched funding of $5000 to $25,000. 

What you can apply for:
A minimum of $5,000, up to a maximum of $25,000, whereby the recipient must demonstrate an investment of an equal or greater amount to the funding request. 

The International Performance and Touring fund (Category 1) is designed to support activity that includes:  

• • Headline tour, support tour, opening slot (or combination of all three) 
  • Festival or Biennale appearance/s 
  • Commissioned performance/s 
  • Official showcase performance 

As well as costs directly associated with the activity listed above, you may apply for all costs associated with completing your export activity. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:

• • artist and creative worker fees
  • flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport costs
  • travel insurance
  • visas
  • freight or baggage costs
  • childcare, carer and access costs
  • tickets and/or registration costs to attend events
  • costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your activity.

Access costs are legitimate expenses and may be included in your application. We encourage applicants to ensure that their work is accessible to everyone. Budgets may include costs associated with making activities accessible to a wide range of people (e.g. performances using Auslan, translation to other languages, captioning, audio description, temporary building adjustments, and materials in other formats).

If you are a d/Deaf applicant, an applicant with disability, or are working with d/Deaf artists or artists with disability, you may apply for access costs associated with the use of an interpreter, translation services, specific technical equipment, carer or support worker assistance. Please contact Artists Services to discuss your specific needs.

More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-performance-and-touring-activity/

 

International Professional And Artistic Development

Applications are currently closed.

The establishment of the Music Australia Export Development Fund forms a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative, designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists at distinct phases of their international careers. 

The program has been developed to support emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practicing music professionals. This includes solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers and electronic artists, producers, songwriters and composers.

The International Professional and Artistic Development fund (Category 2) is designed to support international professional development activity with matched funding of $3000 to $15,000. 

What you can apply for:
A minimum of $3,000, up to a maximum of $15,000, whereby the recipient must demonstrate an investment of an equal or greater amount to the funding request.

The International Professional and Artistic Development Fund (Category 2) is designed to support activity that includes:

• • Co-writing sessions
  • Invitation to a songwriting camp
  • Contribution towards overseas recording expenses such as tracking, mixing, mastering
  • Engaging an international producer
  • International residency or fellowship
  • Attending an international trade fair, trade show, conference, forum
  • Visa costs to work in overseas territories

As well as costs directly associated with the activity listed above, you may apply for all costs associated with completing your export activity. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:

• • artist and creative worker fees
  • flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport costs
  • travel insurance
  • visas
  • freight or baggage costs
  • childcare, carer and access costs
  • tickets and/or registration costs to attend events
  • costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your activity.

Access costs are legitimate expenses and may be included in your application. We encourage applicants to ensure that their work is accessible to everyone. Budgets may include costs associated with making activities accessible to a wide range of people (e.g. performances using Auslan, translation to other languages, captioning, audio description, temporary building adjustments, and materials in other formats).

If you are a d/Deaf applicant, an applicant with disability, or are working with d/Deaf artists or artists with disability, you may apply for access costs associated with the use of an interpreter, translation services, specific technical equipment, carer or support worker assistance. Please contact Artists Services to discuss your specific needs.

More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-professional-and-artistic-development/

 

International Market And Audience Development

Applications are currently closed.

The establishment of the Music Australia Export Development Fund forms a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative, designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists at distinct phases of their international careers. 

The program has been developed to support emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practicing music professionals. This includes solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers and electronic artists, producers, songwriters and composers.

The International Market and Audience Development fund (Category 3) is designed to support activity that includes international promotional and content creation activities with matched funding of $2000 to $10,000.

What can you apply for:
A minimum of $2,000, up to a maximum of $10,000, whereby the recipient must demonstrate an investment of an equal or greater amount to the funding request.

The International Market and Audience Development fund (Category 3) is designed to support activity that includes:

• • International PR and promotional campaigns
  • Implementing an international radio campaign
  • Content Creation: music video clips, multiple reels, lyrics translations targeted towards international audiences
  • Performance on an international TV talk show
  • Attendance by a composer at the premiere of a commissioned composition
  • Presenting lecture at an overseas academy, institute or university

As well as costs directly associated with the activity listed above, you may apply for all costs associated with completing your export activity. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:

• • artist and creative worker fees
  • flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport costs
  • travel insurance
  • visas
  • freight or baggage costs
  • childcare, carer and access costs
  • tickets and/or registration costs to attend events
  • costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your activity.

Access costs are legitimate expenses and may be included in your application. We encourage applicants to ensure that their work is accessible to everyone. Budgets may include costs associated with making activities accessible to a wide range of people (e.g. performances using Auslan, translation to other languages, captioning, audio description, temporary building adjustments, and materials in other formats).

If you are a d/Deaf applicant, an applicant with disability, or are working with d/Deaf artists or artists with disability, you may apply for access costs associated with the use of an interpreter, translation services, specific technical equipment, carer or support worker assistance. Please contact Artists Services to discuss your specific needs.

More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-market-and-audience-development/

ASSOCIATION OF ARTIST MANAGERS (AAM)

 

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Managers

The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Managers program.

Designed to ease the financial burden for selected managers who are attending major international music conferences in 2024, ICC funding will financially support selected managers who represent artists with demonstrated potential in a specific international market, so the manager can undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip – and/or be present on-ground to maximise outcomes for their showcasing artists – at a major international music conference, during a critical moment in their artists’ international career.

Applications for events occurring throughout 2024 will be divided into 3 rounds of opening and closing dates:

ROUND 1: Applications open for SXSW and Jazzahead 2024

ROUND 2: Applications open for conferences taking place between April 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024

ROUND 3: Applications open for conferences taking place between July 1, 2024 and December 30, 2024

Surrounded by their Australian manager peers, selected ICC funding recipients are provided with an invaluable opportunity to build export in-roads and learn more about a selected international market, whilst leveraging the formal and informal activities, networking and professional development opportunities that surround the international music conference that they are attending – all the while being elevated by the sense of community and camaraderie from their fellow Australian managers who are also in attendance as part of the ICC program.

WHAT DO FUNDING RECIPIENTS RECEIVE?

 

AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL ASSOCIATION (AIR)

 

Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program.

Designed to ease the financial burden for selected Independent Labels and Distributors who are attending major international music conferences in 2024, ICC funding will financially support selected AIR Associate, Full and Australian Distributor members wanting to undertake professional development by attending an international trade conference and undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip.

Applications for events occurring throughout 2024 will be divided into 2 rounds of opening and closing dates:

ROUND 1: Applications for conferences taking place between May 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024

ROUND 2: Applications for conferences taking place between August 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024

WHAT DO FUNDING RECIPIENTS RECEIVE?
Contributions of up to $5000 AUD will be awarded to selected Australian-owned and operated independent labels and distributors who have been established for a minimum of two years. Funding will help cover essential costs associated with their attendance and international activity at their chosen event, such as travel expenses, accommodation and event registration costs.

Whilst we realise the majority of label and distributor representatives attending these events will be flying in and out of Australia, and we understand some may be flying into events from different locations around the world – or already be based near the event location – and therefore they may not require the maximum $5000 AUD of funding to attend the event. We therefore ask applicants to specify the funding amount they require to attend the event and only ask for funds required.

WHAT EVENTS CAN I APPLY FOR?
For the 2024 Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program, applicants (AIR Associate, Full, Australian Distributor members) will be able to select which event they hope to attend from the following list. In addition, applicants also have the option to specify an alternative event that they wish to attend, should they receive funding, that is not listed. If this applies to you, please specify the name of the event on your application and explain why this event would be valuable for you. If suggesting an event not already listed, it must fall within the relevant time period for your round. (If you have any questions, please contact monica@air.org.au).

For 2024, there will be 2 separate ICC funding rounds. Please refer to the application opening and closing dates below as relevant to your chosen event and its associated round, and ensure you submit your application before the specified deadline for your round:

ROUND 2, 2024:

• Reeperbahn Festival 2024 – https://www.reeperbahnfestival.com/en/homepage – (Sept 18 – 21, 2024) Hamburg, Germany
• AmericanaFest 2024 – https://americanamusic.org/ – (Sept 17 – 21, 2024) Nashville, US
• WOMEX 2024 – https://www.womex.com/ – (Oct 23 – 27, 2024) Manchester, UK
• Amsterdam Dance Event 2024 – https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/ – (Oct 16 – 20, 2024) Amsterdam, NL

Round 2 applications open June 2024

More information: https://air.org.au/maicc/

 

THE IAN POTTER CULTURAL TRUST

Emerging Arts Grants

Emerging Artist Grants of up to $15,000 are available to support emerging artists of all art forms to undertake professional development opportunities overseas.

Who We Support

Individual emerging and early-career artists across Australia, practising in all art forms and disciplines. The Trust supports artists working across traditional art forms and experimental mediums, from visual arts to community radio and design to literature.

• • Grants are only available to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents of Australia.
  • Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age when they apply

What We Support

Structured professional development and networking opportunities, usually overseas. Such as:

• • Residencies
  • Mentorships
  • Study tours that have a clear skills development focus
  • Private lessons
  • Internships
  • Conferences and workshops.

Please note that projects for which the sole purpose is an exhibition, performance, or making work (such as a recording or publication) are ineligible. 

Funding Round 2, 2024 

• • Applications open: Tuesday 23 April 2024
  • Applications close: Tuesday 18 June 2024, 5pm AEST
  • For travel/projects commencing after Friday 20 September 2024
  • Grants announced: mid-September 2024. 

To apply: https://www.ianpotterculturaltrust.org.au/apply-for-a-grant/

 

AUSTRADE

Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme

Status: There are no grant rounds currently open for applications. New rules are expected to apply to Round 4 of EMDG. Round 4 is likely to open in late 2024 or early 2025. The EMDG information oapplies to Rounds 1, 2 and 3. It may not apply to Round 4. Austrade will communicate all changes when the program details, including guidelines, are finalised and released. 

The Export Market Development Grant (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.

Eligibility requirements include:

• • your turnover for the financial year before the financial year in which the application is made is less than $20 million
  • you must be an Australian person as per the EMDG Rules 2021
  • you must have an Australian Business Number.

EMDG grant funds must be used for:

• • promotional activities to market eligible products in foreign countries, or
  • for training activities to develop skills in marketing for this purpose.

To be an eligible product, your product(s) must be of substantially Australian origin and be:

• • goods
  • services
  • events
  • intellectual property or know-how
  • software.

Austrade provides the EMDG grant for expenses in one or more of the following categories:

• • maintaining a representative in a foreign country
  • short trips to a foreign country
  • engaging a consultant to do research or promotional activities
  • short trips within Australia
  • foreign buyer visits
  • soliciting for business in a foreign country
  • providing free samples
  • producing and providing promotional and advertising material
  • intellectual property rights
  • if you are a Tier 1 applicant, obtaining export readiness training.

The reoriented EMDG will provide greater upfront funding certainty so exporters can plan their offshore promotional activities with confidence.

Small to medium enterprise (SME) exporters can apply for grants over 8 years in total (but not necessarily consecutively). Grants are for eligible promotional activities.

Grants are available in 3 stages (tiers). Each tier gives a different level of support for SMEs as they grow their export markets. The lengths of these grants reflect the different stages of an exporter’s journey. You don’t have to start at Tier 1 and progress to Tier 2 and 3. You can apply for any grant tier at any time depending on your business need.

To ensure Austrade can better manage the available funding in future, Austrade has decided to only issue Round 3 grant agreements for one year or two years, with a possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds. You can still access EMDG grants for up to 8 years. 

Tier 1: Ready to export

For eligible SME exporters who:

• have not exported eligible products before
• have appropriate skills in marketing eligible products in a foreign country
• are ready to export in the grant year
  • Not sure if you’re ready? Take advantage of Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit and try the ‘Are you ready to export?’ quiz – you’ll need to use this toolkit before you can finalise your application, unless you have:
  • completed export readiness training provided by the Commonwealth, a State or Territory or a representative body, or any other person or body.

Grants agreements are offered for up to 2 years. Read section 4.2.2 in the EMDG Guidelines for more information.

Tier 2: Exporting and expanding

For eligible SME exporters who are:

• exporting eligible products
• seeking to expand export promotion activity for eligible products.

Grant agreements are for up to 2 years. Read section 4.2.3 in the EMDG Guidelines for more information.

Tier 3: Exporting, expanding and strategic shift

For eligible SME exporters who are:

• exporting eligible products
• seeking to expand export promotion activity
• undertaking a strategic shift. This is a change in your business strategy which supports:
  • expanding your marketing or promotional activities to target a new export market in a new country, and/or
  • expanding your marketing or promotional activities to support a substantive change of product, to be exported to a new market in a new country, or an existing export market. A ‘substantive change of product’ is a new and separate eligible product or eligible service that is independent of and substantially different from any previous export product or service.

Information here: https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/export-grants

 

AMERICAN AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION

APRA AMCOS Global Professional Development Award

This fund is currently closed.

The American Australian Association, in partnership with APRA AMCOS, offers the Global Professional Development Award of US$10,000 to one emerging or mid-career Australian artist, songwriter, or producer to undertake career development in the United States. Career development includes, but is not limited to, recording/producing an album, writing and collaboration sessions, and travel costs associated with career development. This award is only open to APRA AMCOS members.

Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of proposed project and how this will benefit cross-cultural exchange between the United States and Australia.

Eligibility requirements:

• • Be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident of Australia (dual citizens are not permitted to apply);
  • Be a member of APRA AMCOS.

Application requirements; 

• • A written proposal of their planned project in the United States, outlining how this will enhance their career;
  • A projected budget;
  • 3 examples of artistic work (audio/video);
  • At least 2 professional references to submit a Letter of Recommendation through the online applications portal.
  • 6 digit APRA AMCOS member number

Please also note;

• • Applications must be prepared and submitted by the applicant (not a third party);
  • You cannot apply if you have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by the American Australian Association.

For more information: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/specialty-field-scholarships/

 

Arts Scholarships and Grants

The Arts Fund provides support to Australian, Aboriginal Australian, Torres Strait Islander, American and Native American emerging or early career artists undertaking or planning to undertake artistic development in the country of the other. These scholarships and grants support artists in the fields of theatre, film, television, dance, music, visual arts, design, literature, photography and fashion.

Arts Fund Grants

Supports emerging or early career artists pursuing or planning to pursue artistic development in the Australia to USA and USA to Australia direction. These Grants will provide support of up to US $5,000 to artists in the fields of theatre, film, television, dance, music, visual arts, design, literature, photography and fashion.

Indigenous Scholarship

Provides support of up to US $10,000 to emerging Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander artists to study or undertake artistic development in each other’s countries respectively. 

To apply, head to https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/

 

DFAT

The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP)

The 2023-24 ACDGP Round is now closed.

The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP) supports projects that promote Australia’s creative sector and First Nations identity to deepen bilateral partnerships and strengthen our reputation as a modern diverse nation internationally.

The objectives of the ACDGP are to:

• support the promotion of Australia’s creative sector internationally 
• support collaborative and innovative projects that promote Australia as a modern, diverse nation and a source of creative excellence 
• influence perceptions of Australia at home and abroad through building cultural understanding and connections 
• build people-to-people and/or institutional links internationally 
• support First Nations creative industries and seek opportunities to assist in embedding First Nations into our Foreign Policy 
• align with ‘Revive’, Australia’s National Cultural Policy.

Available individual project funding ranges in size from $10,000 and is capped at $60,000 per annum. Multi-year grants of up to $60,000 per annum for a maximum of three years may be considered. Applicants are encouraged to seek funding support and partnerships with other areas of government, corporate sponsors and private partners.

More information: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/public-diplomacy/acdgp/australian-cultural-diplomacy-grants-program

 

International Relations Grants Program

Over the past nearly 40 years the Australian Government has established cultural councils supporting people-to-people links underpinning our key bilateral and regional relationships. Eminent Australian business and community leaders are appointed to the boards, providing a range of expertise and input to Australia’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy goals. Funding for these Foundations, Councils and Institutes and for the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program is provided through the International Relations Grants Program.

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.

Foundations, Councils and Institutes include:

• Australia-ASEAN Council
• Australia-China Council
• National Foundation for Australia-China Relations
• Australia-India Council
• Australia-Indonesia Institute
• Australia-Japan Foundation
• Australia-Korea Foundation
• Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR)
• Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)

More information: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/Pages/foundations-councils-and-institutes

 

Photo: Peking Duk, India 2013 – Pic by Johnny Au.

 

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