Applications open for ARIA First Nations Recording Grants

ARIA, the PPCA and the Australia Council are encouraging First Nations artists to apply for a recording grant, available to fund new recordings.

Five grants are available as part of the ARIA PPCA Australia Council First Nations Sound Recording Partnership, and applications are now open through to October 20, 2020.

Each grant will provide $18,500, thanks to the Australian Government’s Indigenous Contemporary Music program, and continue in the tradition of grants given out by the PPCA and the Australia Council since 2013.

The grant program will provide funds for new recordings and accommodate access to industry professionals who will advise and help the grantees to develop an effective release strategy for their recording project.

“The Australian Government is proud to partner on these grants that will see five First Nations artists supported to record and promote their music,” Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said.

“This will help them reach more people and build new professional networks across the Australian music industry.”

The grants aim to expand the diversity of Australian voices as well as developing the capacity and professional capability of First Nations music industry aspirants, as well as to aid the development of sustainable career pathways for First Nations creatives.

The Morrison Government announced its $2m Indigenous Contemporary Music program in July, with $500,000 set to be provided each year over the next four years.

“ARIA is proud to announce this grant, designed to help amplify First Nations voices in our industry,” ARIA CEO Dan Rosen said at the time.

“I look forward to hearing the music that will be created as the result of these grants, and also to work towards a more diverse and inclusive Australian music industry.”

We can’t wait to hear the exciting new releases that will be made possible through these new grants.”

To apply, artists should head to the Australia Council website, with those successful to be announced later in the year.