Contemporary Music Development Grants 25/26

The First Nations Creation and Professional Development grant delivered $174,420 to 6 First Nations NSW artists and acts in 2025/26 to support the creation, recording and promotion of new music, professional development, and equipment costs.

Supported artists include RIAH to record and promote her debut EP and Radical Son to create, record and release a new album.

The Recording, Content and Promotion grant delivered $598,646 to 23 NSW artists and acts in 2025/26 to support the creation, recording and promotion of new music.

Supported artists include Esha Tewari to record and promote her debut album and Hockey Dad to record, mix and master their new album.

The First Nations Industry Development grant delivered $578,717 to 4 First Nations-led organisations in 2025/26 to support programs and resources that build the capacity of First Nations NSW artists, industry professionals and music businesses, address best practice and emerging trends, promote First Nations music in NSW and deliver research and advocacy.

Supported organisations include Yarkuwa to deliver BEATS, a new pathways program and Gadigal Information Services to run workshops in the Kameygal Music Studio.

The Industry Development grant delivered $1.6m to 12 initiatives in 2025/26 to support organisations to deliver programs and resources that build the capacity of artists, industry professionals and music businesses, address best practice and emerging trends, promote music in NSW and deliver research and advocacy.

Supported organisations include The Song Room to deliver a pilot program in Western Sydney primary schools with L-FRESH The Lion and Support Act to co-ordinate a First Nations–led review into cultural safety and representation in music.