First Nations musicians, writers and fashion designers are among those supported through Creative Australia's latest suite of investment programs.
The latest investment outcomes include:
Flourish III
Creative Australia is investing close to $500k through Flourish, a First Nations textile design and fashion innovation fund.
Corina Muir is one of 11 designers supported as part of the Flourish Fund. The Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung woman, and founder ethical clothing label Amber Days, said:
"Running a small business can be really hard at times especially in the current climate. Being awarded the Flourish Grant has injected Amber Days with a new energy and excitement to continue on with the work."
Elevate III
Creative Australia will invest almost $60k in First Nations Literature through Elevate, a career development grant opportunity for First Nations individuals and groups. Lisa Fuller, a Wuilli Wuilli woman from Queensland, also descended from Wakka Wakka and Gooreng Gooreng peoples, is among six recipients.
Lisa is an award-winning writer, sessional academic and freelance writer/editor, and said the grant would support her to be mentored on the business of being a literary agent.
"I'll be learning about supporting authors, advocating for their rights and works, building networks, and using my prior editorial and writing skills to help support writers and their manuscripts. I've always been passionate about supporting other writers, so the chance to do it in this new way is exciting."
Space to Create III
Creative Australia has also announced the six participants of its Space to Create music residency for First Nations musicians, artists, songwriters, audio engineers.
The residency, now in its third year of partnership between Creative Australia and Australian National University (ANU), enabled participants to take part in an intensive onsite music residential program based in Canberra at the Australian National University's School of Music and the Yil Lull Studio, led by Torres Strait Islander musician Will Kepa.
Mr Kepa said: "We don't want to merely provide a studio facility to the participants of the program to come and record their songs and release an album. The aim of the program is to provide a platform that will hopefully help the artists gain knowledge, skills and experience required to grow professionally in their desired area of interest."
"Every participant will have their own studio time to work on their individual projects. For some of the participants, this is an excellent opportunity to start with what they want to do to take the next step in their career."
Acclaimed songwriter Lilly Gogos, a Greek Noongar woman from Minang Goreng country in the Great Southern Region of WA, will take part in the residency, and said:
"Participation in the Space to Create III means I get to network, collaborate, travel and meet new like-minded people to work with, which also brings together Aboriginal artists from all over Australia to create, develop relationships and music connections that hopefully we can use to unite us more within the music community in Australia."
