For Artists

Building a career in the music industry can be tough. We're here to help.

#Opportunities and programs

QMusic’s events and programs support the professional development of emerging and established artists, and connects them with an international music industry network.

The Queensland Music Awards is a platform for unearthing the best new songwriters from Queensland, and also recognises the contribution of established artists. Every entrant gets their song heard by industry judges from around the world. Finalists and winners benefit from significant exposure across our media partner platforms.

QMusic Connect is our professional development program for emerging Queensland artists. The masterclass program takes participants through the process of setting up a music industry business and releasing a song into market. And it’s free! 

QMusic also administers grants for recording projects (The Billy Thorpe Scholarship, Carol Lloyd Award and Dennis 'Mop' Conlon Scholarship) and songwriting (The Grant McLennan Fellowship).

Our signature event, BIGSOUND, offers the opportunity for 150 of Australia’s best new acts to play to an audience of music industry influencers and a public audience looking for their new favourite band. 

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#QMUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

#Resources

#QMusic Resources

Gyrostream Release Checklist

A comprehensive list of everything you need to think about when you're releasing!

QMusic Concert Care

Safer spaces in live music so everyone can have a top night out.

Fact Sheet Music & Copyright

This fact sheet provides an overview of the music copyright issues for songwriters and composers.

Understanding Fan Analytics: Luminate Execs Weigh In

The entertainment data company’s Helena Kosinski and Jaime Marconette give tips on using the power of numbers to build your fan base.

QMusic Connect Resources

Access all program resources referenced by speakers.

#Grants Guide

RAF QUICK RESPONSE GRANTS

Quick Response Grants aim to support small arts or cultural projects that cannot be funded by other means because of their nature or timing. For example, you may wish to attend a workshop or complete a project within a certain time frame and cannot access appropriate funding through any other means.

Please note that Quick Response grants are competitive, and as part of your application you will need to detail why your project cannot be funded through other means.

This type of grant would also suit individual professional development.

Applications close 31 March, 2024.

International Performance and Touring Activity

The establishment of the Music Australia Export Development Fund forms a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative, designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists at distinct phases of their international careers.

The program has been developed to support emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practicing music professionals. This includes solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers and electronic artists, producers, songwriters and composers.

Applications close 9 April, 2024.

International Professional and Artistic Development

The establishment of the Music Australia Export Development Fund forms a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative, designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists at distinct phases of their international careers.

The program has been developed to support emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practicing music professionals. This includes solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers and electronic artists, producers, songwriters and composers.

Applications close 9 April, 2024.

International Market and Audience Development

The establishment of the Music Australia Export Development Fund forms a bold partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian music industry – a matched funding initiative, designed to provide financial support to a diverse range of Australian artists at distinct phases of their international careers.

The program has been developed to support emerging, breakthrough and established acts and is made available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are current practicing music professionals. This includes solo artists, instrumentalists, bands, ensembles, DJ/producers and electronic artists, producers, songwriters and composers.

Applications close April 9, 2024.

Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP)

The Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) is focused on celebrating Queensland’s artists and stories, ensuring Queenslanders’ access to high quality experiences and growing Queensland’s cultural reputation.

Applications open April 15, 2024.

Touring Queensland Fund

The Touring Queensland Fund focuses on supporting regional community access to quality arts and cultural events and products. It supports arts presenters and producers in the delivery of performing arts, visual arts, contemporary music gigs, and cultural heritage touring activity.

Applications open March 18, 2024.

Art Music Fund

Art music composers are invited to apply for a $7,500 Art Music Fund grant to help them make new musical works a reality. 11 grants will be allocated to nine Australian and two New Zealand composers, respectively.

Applications open 18 March, 2024.

Performing Arts Market Development Fund

The Fund will support interstate and overseas opportunities that grow Queensland’s cultural economy, increase exposure, facilitate business and career growth, and expand markets and export revenue potential for Queensland-based musicians, performing artists and organisations.

This is a rolling fund.

Arts Projects for Organisations

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Organisations that undertake arts programs, projects, or that provide services to artists, are welcome to apply.

Organisations can propose a single project, a suite of projects or an annual program of activity.

Grants are available from $20,000 to $100,000. Supported activities must last no longer than two years from the proposed start date.

Applications close 3 September, 2024.

Creative Arts Fellowship

The National Library is undertaking a review of its Fellowships and Scholarships Program to ensure it meets the needs of researchers, PhD students and creators. This review may result in changes to some of the opportunities offered beyond 2025.

Applications close at 5pm, Monday 6 May 2024.

QMUSIC acknowledges the many Traditional Custodian groups all across what is now referred to as Queensland. We pay our respect to all elders: past, present and emerging. As a peak body we also acknowledge the important role that music has played and continues to play on these lands since the very first sunrise.

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