Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund in Australia

The Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund supports Australian First Nations artists and arts workers aged 18 to 35 to develop their creative practice, strengthen professional skills, and advance their careers. Successful applicants can receive $10,000 to $20,000 AUD for eligible creative and professional development projects beginning from February 2027 and completed within 12 months.

About the Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund

The fund is designed to support the artistic and professional development of young First Nations creatives across Australia. It aims to strengthen cultural expression, build career pathways, and increase participation in the arts, cultural sectors, and creative industries.

The program supports projects across a broad range of art forms, except screen and film.

Funding can help applicants develop new work, gain professional experience, collaborate with other artists, reach new audiences, and build sustainable creative careers.

What Does the Fund Support?

Supported projects may combine creative development with professional development, cultural practice, audience engagement, or career-building activities.

Eligible activities may include:

• Mentoring and professional development
• Masterclasses and workshops
• Artist residencies
• Creation of new artistic work
• Practice-based research
• Creative experimentation and development
• Collaborations and creative exchanges
• Touring and exhibitions
• Performances
• Publishing
• Music or other artistic recording projects
• Promotion and marketing
• Audience development
• Market development
• Materials required for the project
• Access costs associated with eligible activities

Projects should demonstrate how the proposed activities will contribute to the applicant’s creative practice, career development, skills, cultural expression, or professional opportunities.

Funding Amount

Successful applicants can request between $10,000 and $20,000 AUD.

The funding can be used for eligible project expenses connected directly to the proposed artistic or professional development activities.

Projects must:

• Begin from February 2027
• Be completed within 12 months of the proposed start date
• Clearly demonstrate the purpose and outcomes of the proposed activities

Applicants should develop a realistic budget that explains how the requested funding will be used.

Who Is Eligible?

The fund is specifically intended for Australian First Nations artists and arts and culture workers aged 18 to 35.

Applicants must:

• Be an Australian First Nations person
• Be aged 18 to 35 years
• Live in Australia
• Work as an artist or arts and culture worker
• Propose an eligible project within the supported art forms
• Complete the project within 12 months of its proposed start date

An Australian Business Number (ABN) is encouraged but is not mandatory. Applicants without an ABN may arrange for an eligible organisation to administer the grant on their behalf.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not accept applications from:

• Groups
• Organisations
• Managers
• Agents
• Applicants who do not meet the First Nations eligibility requirements
• Applicants outside the specified age range
• Applicants who are not living in Australia
• Projects involving screen or film

Only individual applicants can apply directly.

Each individual is permitted to submit one application for this initiative.

What Types of Art Are Supported?

The fund supports First Nations creative practice across a broad range of art forms.

Examples may include:

• Literature and writing
• Visual arts
• Performing arts
• Music
• Dance
• Theatre
• Craft and design
• Multidisciplinary arts
• Cultural and creative practice
• Other eligible art forms outside screen and film

Because screen and film projects are excluded, applicants should ensure their proposed activity clearly falls within an eligible art form.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their application around a clear creative or professional development goal.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you are:

1. An Australian First Nations person.
2. Between 18 and 35 years old.
3. Living in Australia.
4. An individual artist or arts and culture worker.
5. Applying for an eligible project that does not involve screen or film.

Step 2: Define Your Project

Clearly explain what you want to achieve through the funding.

Describe:

• The creative or professional activity
• Why the project is important to your practice
• What skills or experience you will develop
• Who you will work with, if applicable
• How the project will support your career
• What outcomes you expect to achieve

Step 3: Prepare a Project Budget

Prepare a realistic budget covering eligible expenses directly related to the project.

Potential costs may include:

• Artist and professional fees
• Materials
• Workshop or masterclass costs
• Residency expenses
• Travel
• Production expenses
• Promotion and marketing
• Exhibition or performance expenses
• Access-related costs

Step 4: Address Cultural and Creative Context

Explain how the project contributes to your creative practice and, where relevant, supports First Nations storytelling, cultural expression, knowledge, or community engagement.

Step 5: Submit One Application

Only one application may be submitted by each individual for this initiative. Applicants should ensure that their final submission clearly demonstrates eligibility, project relevance, budget requirements, and expected outcomes.

How the Fund Can Help Young First Nations Creatives

The program can provide more than project funding. It is designed to help young First Nations creatives build long-term professional capacity and sustainable careers.

Funding can support applicants to:

• Develop new creative work
• Strengthen professional skills
• Build industry networks
• Work with experienced mentors
• Access training and workshops
• Participate in residencies
• Reach new audiences
• Promote their creative practice
• Explore new markets
• Collaborate with other artists
• Develop stronger career pathways

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to emerging artists seeking to move from early creative development toward greater professional recognition and participation in the creative industries.

Important Application Tips

Applicants should keep the following points in mind:

• Show a clear career benefit: Explain exactly how the project will advance your artistic or professional practice.
• Make the project achievable: Ensure the activities can realistically be completed within 12 months.
• Use a realistic budget: Connect each major expense directly to the proposed project.
• Check the art-form requirements: Screen and film activities are excluded.
• Apply as an individual: Organisations, managers, agents, and groups cannot apply directly.
• Check the age requirement: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Submit only once: Each individual is limited to one application.
• Explain your outcomes: Describe what you will create, learn, develop, or achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund?

It is a funding opportunity for Australian First Nations artists and arts and culture workers aged 18 to 35. The fund supports creative practice, professional development, career advancement, and cultural participation across eligible art forms.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Applicants can request between $10,000 and $20,000 AUD for an eligible project.

Who can apply for the fund?

Australian First Nations artists and arts and culture workers aged 18 to 35 who are living in Australia can apply. Applications are limited to individuals.

Can organisations or groups apply?

No. The fund is designed for individual applicants. Groups, organisations, managers, and agents are not eligible to apply directly.

Are screen and film projects eligible?

No. Screen and film projects are excluded from this funding opportunity. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project falls within another eligible art form.

When must funded projects begin?

Projects must commence from February 2027 and must be completed within 12 months of the proposed start date.

Do applicants need an Australian Business Number?

An ABN is encouraged but is not mandatory. Applicants without an ABN may have an eligible organisation administer the grant on their behalf.

Conclusion

The Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund provides targeted support for young Australian First Nations creatives seeking to strengthen their artistic practice and build sustainable careers. With grants of $10,000 to $20,000 AUD, the program can support activities ranging from mentoring and creative development to exhibitions, performances, publishing, touring, marketing, and professional skills development.

Eligible applicants should focus on presenting a clear, achievable project that demonstrates strong artistic or cultural value and a meaningful contribution to their professional development.