Creative grants now available
Looking for help to start your creative business? In fashion and textiles or music or in arts and culture.
Creative Australia has a number of grants to enable First Nations storytellers and leaders to be part of a growing network.
Grants up to $50,000 are available through the First Nations Fashion and Textiles Fund to support economic, cultural, and social development opportunities within fashion and textile design.
Celebrating five years of this funding initiative, Flourish is part of Creative Australia’s First Nations First industry development programs.
These programs have been developed in response to the extensive community consultation on priorities and needs of the sector in response to Pillar1, First Nations First – Revive, the Australian Government’s shared vision for Australia: a place for every story and a story for every place.
These initiatives aim to elevate existing programs and deliver new funding that build on a 50-year legacy of First Nations leadership and investment at Creative Australia.
The Flourish fund is for activities beginning on or after February 2 next year and funded activities must last no longer than 12 months from the proposed start date.
Who can apply
- You can apply for this fund if you are a First Nations individual or organisation.
What the fund can be used for
- engaging in expertise to interpret artwork into fabric design
- collaborating with a designer to create a new clothing collection
- professional development for individuals and organisations
- marketing and capacity building activities
- activities to expand your creative practice and/or business
- partnering with small to medium First Nations businesses to build expertise
- First Nations led partnering and mentoring opportunities
seed funding.
For more information on how to apply: https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/flourish-first-nations-fashion-and-textiles-fund?utm_source=First+Nations+First&utm_campaign=fafcdeec54-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_10_05_02_17_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fee09f90a9-fafcdeec54-478996063&mc_cid=fafcdeec54&mc_eid=9baf90aee1
- Applications close November 11
Space to Create
First Nations Music Residency is an immersive residency program for emerging and established First Nations musicians, producers, and songwriters to dedicate focused time to the development of their music practice.
Participants will have access to professional recording studios, tailored mentoring, and workshops with leading industry professionals.
The program provides a dedicated environment for eight selected participants to expand their creative ideas, collaborate with peers, and strengthen their artistic practice.
Activities will include composition, voice coaching, technical skill development, and professional learning opportunities to support long-term career growth.
Located in Canberra at the ANU School of Music, one-week intensive with other First Nations artists, featuring workshops, recording sessions, mentoring, and masterclasses to help you build community, share knowledge, and strengthen your creative practice.
Travel, accommodation, daily allowances, and local transport are provided.
- Applications close November 11
Arts and Culture
Open to Australian First Nations artists or arts workers between the ages of 18 and 35 to support their creative practice and career development, nationally and internationally across all art forms.
This opportunity aims to build the capacity of First Nations young people’s skills development, career pathways, marketing, and audience development to maintain and elevate their practice and engagement in the arts and cultural sectors and creative industries.
Grants are available from $10,000 to $20,000.
The Young People: First Nations Arts & Culture Projects can commence from February 2026 and must be completed within 12 months of the proposed start date.
- Applications close November 11
Digital Specialist
The Digital Specialist in Residence – for First Nations Organisations program provides First Nations arts and culture organisations with fourteen (14) weeks’ access to a digital specialist who will assist in the development of the organisation’s Digital Capacity Strategy.
This program also provides $3,000, seed funding to assist in piloting a new digitally led project. You will work with the digital specialist on your proposed digital project idea during the course of the residency.
- Applications close December 2
