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 Australia’s best new acts to play to an audience of music industry influencers and a public audience looking for their new favourite band.

#BIGSOUND Regional & Remote Delegate Pass

QMusic is committed to making BIGSOUND more accessible for artists across Queensland. If you live in an eligible regional or remote postcode, you can apply for a Regional & Remote Delegate Pass for $565.

To apply, please complete the application form below. All eligible artists will then receive a unique link to purchase your discounted pass.

Eligibility requirements apply.

Apply Now

#QMUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Grant Mclennan Fellowship

$15,000 grant

Carol Lloyd Award

$15,000 grant

Billy Thorpe Scholarship

$15,000 grant

Dennis 'Mop' Conlon Scholarship

$15,000 grant

#Resources

AMIN Legal Pack Resources

This Music Industry Legal Pack includes fact sheets and checklists that explain some of the common agreements you might need to enter into as a music professional.

Fundraising Support

Creative Australia’s fundraising programs and services aim to build the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of artists and organisations, supporting financially sustainable creative careers and business models.

Social Checklist

Formulate your brand and social strategy with the best go-to tips from our friends at GYROstream.

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.

#Grants Guide

Queensland Major Commissioning Fund

The Queensland Major Commissioning Fund (the Fund) provides funding to support the production and presentation of impactful, large-scale creative work. The Fund will co-invest in major new work that showcases Queensland artists, organisations and stories, and has significant public outcomes attracting large audiences and premiering in Queensland.

Applications close Monday 20 July 2026

Record Label Marketing & Manufacturing Grants

Up to $10,000 matched funding for eligible Australian-owned record labels, label services and distribution companies to support marketing, promotion, manufacturing and distribution costs.

Applications close Tuesday 4 August 2026 3pm AEST

Record Label Development Scheme

Up to $125,000 matched funding for eligible record labels to support holistic development and success of Australian music artists.

Applications close Tuesday 4 August 2026 3pm AEST

The Freedman Fellowship

The Freedman Fellowship is a prestigious, career-defining opportunity that recognises and supports the next generation of leading jazz musicians.

Awarded annually, the fellowship provides $30,000 to support the recipient while they undertake a major creative project.

Applications are welcomed from artists under the age of 35, working in the field of jazz.

Applications close Thursday 6 August 2026 3pm AEST

First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award

Creative Australia is pleased to invite nominations for the 2027 First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award. Valued at $25,000, this Award, for one business, recognises innovation and excellence in entrepreneurship among Australian First Nations small to medium arts and culture businesses or community organisations (including Art Centres) nationwide.

Applications close Tuesday 15 September 2026, 3pm AEST

Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts

Creative Australia is pleased to invite nominations for the 2027 Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts. Valued at $25,000, this Award recognises the achievement of one Australian First Nations artist or arts worker in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts between the age of 18 and 35.

Creative Australia is seeking nominations from individuals, arts and community organisations. The recipient will be presented with the Award at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards ceremony to be held on Thursday 27 May 2027.

Applications close Tuesday 15 September 2026, 3pm AEST

Established Artist of the Year Award

Creative Australia is pleased to invite nominations for the 2027 First Nations Established Artist of the Year Award. Valued at $25,000 for one recipient, this Award recognises the achievement of one First Nations artist in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts with twenty or more years of continued artistic practice.

Creative Australia is seeking nominations from individuals, arts and community organisations. The recipient will be presented with the Award at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards ceremony to be held on Thursday 27 May 2027.

Applications close Tuesday 15 September 2026, 3pm AEST

Red Ochre Award (Lifetime Achievement)

Creative Australia is pleased to invite nominations for senior First Nations artists and cultural workers with thirty or more years of continued artistic practice for the 2027 Red Ochre Awards.

Red Ochre Awards nominations are open across two categories:

Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence: Two awards valued at $60,000 for outstanding lifetime achievement in artistic practice for a senior Australian First Nations artist.

Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership: Two awards valued at $60,000 for outstanding lifetime achievement in cultural advocacy and leadership for a senior Australian First Nations arts leader or arts and cultural worker.

Applications close Tuesday 15 September 2026, 3pm AEST

Australian Music Prize

Commencing in 2005, the Australian Music Prize has provided a mouthpiece to the best albums in Australian contemporary music. Now in its 22nd year, the prize is widely recognised as the most prestigious award for Australian recording artists.

Applications close 30 September 2026

Regional Arts Fund 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.

This is a rolling fund.

Australian Cultural Fund

The Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) is a fundraising platform for Australian artists.

Through the ACF, artists upload their project, start their fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate with 100% of donations going directly towards artists’ creative projects.

The ACF has helped raise millions of dollars for Australian artists, enabling a wide range of projects to come to life and offering support to Australia’s cultural sector.

This is a rolling fund.

The Voices Rising Fund

The Voices Rising Fund is a major new initiative from the Awesome Black Foundation, designed to elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices by supporting the creation of publishable works across literature and music of all styles and genres. A maximum of $60,000 is available each year to be distributed to selected projects.

This is a rolling fund.