Contemporary Music Fund

The Contemporary Music Fund (CMF) assists homegrown contemporary music artists with projects that enable them to produce and promote their work, along with building links nationally and internationally.

The State Government has extended its commitment to the Contemporary Music Fund with an additional $3 million over 4 years through to 2025. This is welcomed support for WA’s contemporary music industry and will aid its recovery from the effects of COVID-19.  

The CMF's objectives are to:

  • capitalise on available opportunities for the contemporary music sector
  • contribute to the development of markets for WA music locally, nationally and internationally
  • ensure a strong representation of musicians and music professionals from Aboriginal, regional, cultural and gender diverse backgrounds
  • accelerate the recovery of the WA contemporary music sector following the effects of COVID-19.

The CMF consists of invitation-only Targeted Initiatives and the Short Notice Activity Program (CMF SNAP).

CMF Short Notice Activity Program

The Contemporary Music Fund Short Notice Activity Program (CMF SNAP) is a grant program that supports short notice opportunities for individuals, bands and music industry professionals. 

Please note:

The program’s key focus is to capitalise on available opportunities by supporting applicants to respond to short notice, career building opportunities where the time frame is out of the applicant’s control and the activity cannot be funded under the Arts Projects for Individuals/Organisations grant programs.

Eligibility

Individuals, and groups are welcome to apply however: 

  • individuals must have Australian citizenship or permanent resident status, groups including unincorporated bodies, partnerships and individuals informally collaborating on an activity must be based in Australia
  • if you are considering submitting an administered/auspiced grant you must contact the department before commencing your application
  • if you are applying on behalf of Aboriginal people, you must provide evidence of significant Aboriginal involvement in the conception, development of and participation in the activity
  • although WA residency is not a requirement to apply for a grant, if you are applying from outside WA you will need to show the benefits to WA artists, creatives, arts or cultural workers in your application.

Funding rounds

Applications to the CMF SNAP are open from 9 July to 5 December 2024 and 7 January to 5 June 2025, and you can apply at any time during those periods. You must submit your application at least 28 days (including weekends and public holidays) before your activity start date.

Applicants can apply for up to $5000 for professional development opportunities, up to $10,000 for national and regional touring/showcasing opportunities and up to $15,000 for international touring/showcasing opportunities. 

This program may fund up to 100% of your activity costs and applicants can apply twice per financial year.

Contemporary music projects that do not meet the eligibility requirements of the CMF SNAP, can apply to the Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups or the Arts Projects for Organisations grant programs, as applicable. 

Funding rounds

Round OpenDraft reviewCloseProjects beginning afterNotificationCategory
Round 1 2024 to 20259:00am 9 July 2025Not applicable4:00pm 5 December 2024At least 28 days after application submissionApproximately 28 days after submission date
  • International touring/showcasing opportunities
  • Regional and national opportunities
  • Professional development opportunities
Round 2 2024 to 20259:00am 7 January 2025Not applicable4:00pm 5 June 2025At least 28 days after application submissionApproximately 28 days after submission date
  • International touring/showcasing opportunities
  • Regional and national opportunities
  • Professional development opportunities
Round 1 2025 to 20269:00am 8 July 2025Not applicable4:00pm 4 December 2025At least 28 days after application submissionApproximately 28 days after submission date
  • International touring/showcasing opportunities
  • Regional and national opportunities
  • Professional development opportunities

 

CMF Targeted Initiatives

2018—2021 CMF Targeted Initiatives (selection)

  • Safer Venues WA — improving inclusivity and personal safety in contemporary music venues 
  • GirlsRock! — Expanding opportunities for girls and women in the music industry
  • Regional Recording Program — Producing professionally engineered recordings of regional and remote WA artists 
  • BIGSOUND – Supporting travel costs for WA artists selected to present at BIGSOUND showcases
  • WAMCon — Supporting West Australian Music (WAM) annual music conferences.

2021—2025 CMF Targeted Initiatives (selection)

  • Stompem Ground Festival — Revitalisation of historic festival in Broome 2022
  • AFL Grand Final — Musical entertainment for the historic Perth Grand Final 
  • RTRFM The View From Here — Music video series in iconic WA locations 
  • APRA AMCOS Regional Sessions — Regional tour of professional development workshops for emerging songwriters across regional WA 
  • 2023 European Song Contest (Eurovision) — Supporting Voyager to represent Australia at the 2023 Eurovision Contest
  • FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup Fan Festival — Programming local artists to perform at the FIFA Fan Festival.

Funding overview

Closed, opening later

Opening 7 January 2025

Who can apply

Amount available

  • International touring/showcasing opportunities: Up to $15,000
  • Regional and national touring/showcasing opportunities: Up to $10,000
  • Professional development opportunities: Up to $5000

Guidelines

You must read the guidelines before submitting an application as they provide essential information.

Contemporary Music Fund Short Notice Activity Program Guidelines

Successful applications

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Page reviewed 16 December 2024
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