Contemporary Music Fund Development Program (Australia)

Deadline: 03-Dec-2026

The Contemporary Music Fund Development Program provides grants of up to $20,000 to Western Australian contemporary music artists, groups, industry professionals, and community organisations. Funding supports career development, touring, live performances, showcasing, recording, promotion, market development, industry participation, and capacity-building activities.

About the Contemporary Music Fund Development Program

The Government of Western Australia established the Contemporary Music Fund Development Program to strengthen the state’s music industry and support the career development of local talent. The program helps contemporary music artists and industry professionals pursue timely opportunities, develop new skills, reach wider audiences, and enter new markets. It forms part of a broader government investment in Western Australia’s contemporary music sector, with additional funding committed through 2029. Purpose of the Program

The program aims to:

- Support career development in contemporary music. - Help artists pursue significant and timely opportunities. - Develop markets for Western Australian music. - Increase regional, national, and international exposure. - Strengthen professional and business capabilities. - Support creative enterprises. - Expand live-performance and touring opportunities. - Help artists create and distribute music. - Increase participation in music-industry events. - Promote diversity and inclusion across the sector. - Strengthen the long-term sustainability of Western Australia’s music industry. Funding Information

Applicants may request:

- Maximum grant: $20,000.

- Maximum program contribution: Up to 80% of the total eligible activity cost.

- Minimum applicant contribution: At least 20% of the total activity cost.

- Application frequency: A recipient may receive only one grant per financial year.

The applicant’s contribution may include eligible cash income and in-kind contributions. Applicants should ensure that total income and expenditure are balanced and that all contributions can be verified. Understanding the 80% Funding Limit The program may cover up to 80% of the total eligible activity cost. For example, if an activity costs $20,000: - The program may contribute up to $16,000. - The applicant must demonstrate at least $4,000 in other income or eligible in-kind support. If an applicant requests the maximum grant of $20,000, the total eligible project budget would generally need to be at least $25,000 to satisfy the 20% contribution requirement. Applicants should confirm how cash and in-kind contributions must be calculated under the official guidelines. Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

- Regional touring. - National touring. - International touring. - Live performances. - Showcases. - Festival appearances. - Industry conferences and events. - Recording. - Music distribution. - Market-development activities. - Music launches. - Marketing and promotional tools. - Publicity campaigns. - Professional development. - Skills development. - Mentoring. - Capacity building. - Creative-enterprise development. - Activities that introduce music to new audiences or markets. Every proposed activity must align with at least one program objective. Live Performance and Touring The program can support eligible live-performance and touring opportunities within regional Western Australia, across Australia, or internationally.

Touring proposals should clearly explain:

- Where performances will take place. - Why the locations or events are strategically important. - Whether performances are confirmed. - How audiences will be reached. - What professional or commercial outcomes are expected. - How the tour will advance the artist’s career. - Why the opportunity is timely. - How costs and logistical risks will be managed. Applicants should include confirmed invitations, venue agreements, booking correspondence, or performance schedules where available. Showcasing Opportunities Showcases allow artists to perform for audiences that may include: - Festival programmers. - Booking agents. - Record labels. - Music supervisors. - Publishers. - Distributors. - Promoters. - Media representatives. - Potential collaborators. - Industry professionals. Applicants should explain why the selected showcase is appropriate for their career stage and how they will follow up with professional contacts after the event. Marketing and Promotional Activities Funding may support the development of strategic tools that help artists reach audiences and markets.

Potential activities include:

- Electronic press kits. - Professional photography. - Promotional videos. - Publicity campaigns. - Digital marketing. - Audience-development campaigns. - Branding materials. - Market-specific promotional content. - Release campaigns. - Industry-targeted communications. Marketing activities should support a clearly defined release, tour, showcase, market opportunity, or career-development strategy. Recording and Distribution Eligible proposals may include recording and distribution activities that support professional development and market expansion.

Applicants should explain:

- What music will be created or recorded. - Who will be involved. - How the work fits within the artist’s career strategy. - How the recording will be distributed. - Which audiences or markets will be targeted. - How the release will be promoted. - What professional outcomes are expected. Recording should form part of a clear development plan rather than being presented as an isolated creative activity. Market Development The program supports activities that help Western Australian music reach new markets locally, nationally, or internationally. Market-development activities may involve: - Launching music in a new territory. - Meeting industry representatives. - Developing distribution partnerships. - Building relationships with festivals or venues. - Reaching new digital audiences. - Testing demand in a ne