- Twenty-four musicians supported since July with recipients receiving grants of nearly $400,000
- $1.125 million of grants per year through the Contemporary Music Fund
- Cook Government fostering a vibrant and creative economy in Western Australia
The Contemporary Music Fund has provided grants of up to $20,000 to 24 Western Australian musicians to support career changing opportunities.
Successful WA musicians have received nearly $400,000 in grants since July 1 this year to chase their music dreams - from mentorships and EP production to national and international tours.
Songwriter Noah Dillon was awarded grant funding to support John Butler on his Prism album tour across the United Kingdom and Europe from 30 October to 4 December 2025. Noah will perform 25 solo support sets in eight countries including the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
A hip hop collective focusing on developing First Nations artists, FN Focus, was supported to attend the recent BIGSOUND 2025 in Brisbane. FN Focus were official partners with BIGSOUND 2025 and brought the successful Boorloo Block Parties held during Perth Festival to the east coast.
The Contemporary Music Fund supports career changing opportunities for individuals, bands and music industry professionals with grants of up to $20,000 for professional development, sector development, international, national, and regional touring/showcasing opportunities, and recording and promotional activities.
Round 1 of the Contemporary Music Fund Development Program will close on 4 December 2025, and Round 2 will open on 6 January 2026.
Recent recipients:
- Emma Adams to represent WA perspectives on a panel at BIGSOUND Conference, Brisbane;
- Owen Aitken for Ezines recording and national tour;
- Emily Ann Barker for Emily Barker's UK/European tour 2025;
- LM Del Fante and SB Torrance, for Ghost Care national tour support for The Tullamarines;
- Noah Dillon to support John Butler's 'Prism' UK/European tour;
- Joshua Eggington, for INKABEE BIGSOUND showcases and performances 2025;
- Euphoria & Co Pty Ltd, for Sammythesinner - Wilkinson's Australian tour;
- FN Focus Pty Ltd, for Flewnt's Block Party Connect: From Boorloo to Magandjin - BIGSOUND 2025;
- K.E Ivoutin and T.S Rojahnfor Last Quokka to perform at BIGSOUND and Sydney South By Southwest;
- Thomas King for DICE North America tour;
- Danielle Koong for Dani Enli - BIGSOUND showcase and debut EP production;
- E.A Lee, S.D Loreck, B.S Morgan and Z.H Morgan for Late 90s BIGSOUND showcases;
- Mark Lloyd for Marksman Lloyd to support Thundamentals on Australian tour;
- Joshua Mason for Oshua - 'On The Radar' platform performance and US networking;
- J.E McCartney, K.A McCartney and E Trotter for RATSALAD European festivals tour 2026;
- Jekayinoluwa Oladipo for Zafty: BIGSOUND 2025 Showcase, Allday tour and new music recording;
- Old Mervs Touring Pty Ltd for Old Mervs USA tour and Audiotree live session
- Luke Parish for People Taking Pictures national tour and EP release;
- Liam Rohrlach for Paint EP release and national support tour with Fool Nelson;
- Luanne Shneier for music mentorship in Nashville, Tennessee;
- Rosemarie Sitorus for Warralgurniya performances in Darwin;
- Taleisha Slater for Taija showcases and performances at BIGSOUND 2025;
- South Summit Band Pty Ltd for South Summit to support Tash Sultana's Australian tour; and
- Chezni Watson for CHEZ North American tour with The Haunt.
As stated by Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"The Cook Government is proud to support Western Australian musicians to develop their skills and craft.
"Western Australia has some of the best musicians in the country and we are committed to helping develop our homegrown talent.
"The State Government has committed an additional $2.75 million to the WA contemporary music sector which includes increased funding available through the Contemporary Music Fund.
"A thriving music scene helps to make a community a great place to live, and we want to support performers and the industry that surrounds them."
