Applications are now open for First Nations touring music creators to apply for one of 12 $20,000 grants.
The first series LIFECYCLE Touring Grants has a funding pool of $240,000, administered by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) with funding from Music Australia.
The grants are designed to support national touring activities for Indigenous music creators, supporting growth and fostering a vibrant, visible and inclusive music landscape.
Eligibility is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators and not restricted to members of music rights management organisation, APRA AMCOS.
NATSIMO director Leah Flanagan said: "Our community has some of the most exciting live talent touring on the world circuit, which is a huge feat considering how difficult it is to tour and build audiences domestically, particularly in a post-COVID environment."
"These grants are designed to support our artists looking to tour a new project, to engage and build new audiences through a series of live performances. Once again, thank you to Music Australia for funding these career-changing opportunities," she said.
The grants are the latest in the LIFECYCLE portfolio, which also includes grants for marketing and recording. They have so far provided $670,000 of funding and opportunities for the Indigenous music community, which helps make possible songwriting, recording, marketing and touring in the current challenging economic climate.
Applications are open until 11:59 PM (AEDT) Sunday 22 December 2024, and are to be used to fund activities between 1 March 2025 and 1 February 2026.
NATISMO also recently launched the inaugural RESONATE Country songwriting program for 2025, the first of its kind for Indigenous musicians.
Funded by music rights management organisation, APRA AMCOS and Sound NSW, the program is offering three places for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander APRA AMCOS members.
The three-day program will take place from 20-22 January at Mad Proppa Deadly Studios, Armidale, NSW. Mid-career and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriter and producer members are eligible for an opportunity to collaborate and learn from some of the best writers in the country.
Collaborators already confirmed to take part include Gling Hunt, Joey Leigh Wagtail, Kyarna Cruse, Luke Peacock, Maddi Colville Walker and Warren H Williams. Some high profile special guests will also be dropping in throughout the program including 13-time Golden Guitar winner, Matt Fell, and Nashville-based, multiple APRA Music Award-winning songwriter, Phil Barton.
Further information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, is available online at apraamcos.com.au/natsimo.