First Nations Commissioning Fund

The First Nations Commissioning Fund (FNCF) focuses on investing in opportunities that share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ stories, histories and heritage, support economic outcomes for Queensland First Nations Artists, organisations and communities, and present exceptional arts and cultural work to wider audiences and markets.

Objectives

The FNCF:

  • supports the development and presentation of new arts and cultural work and programs by individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers, collectives and organisations
  • strengthens skills development and provides new employment or income-generating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers and communities
  • grows a pipeline of high-quality First Nations arts and cultural products and experiences.

Funding

For single year projects - up to $70,000 for projects and programs for up to 12 months.

For two-year projects - up to $150,000 to support the development and delivery of single projects and programs across financial years. These are projects and programs that need a larger and/or longer scale of development of up to two years and include presentation and/or distribution.

Arts and cultural projects can include visual and performing arts; fashion, textiles and design; writing, arts-led projects that have community benefit; other arts-led projects that preserve and/or celebrate and share languages and culture.

Applicants may only receive one FNCF grant per calendar year.

Additional funding available

Up to $10,000 towards fees for commissioning new live or recorded music by Queensland-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander composers, musicians or librettists as part of your project.

Update to Round 6

Since December 2022, Arts Queensland has supported more than 70 Industry Placements through its contestable project funding programs.

Arts Queensland has paused Industry Placements while we evaluate the impact and outcomes of placements to shape future support. We are committed to ensuring Industry Placements strengthen capacity building in key areas and secure career pathways and longer-term employment opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers and people with disability in the lead up to Brisbane 2032. While placements will not be available through FNCF Round 6, we anticipate Industry Placement support will be available through dedicated funding opportunities in the coming months.

Frequency

Important dates for the First Nations Commissioning Fund single year and two-year project applications

 Funding rounds

Open

Close

Notification expected

Activity start date
Round 6 3 February 2025 Closed: 17 March 2025 Late May 2025 From 23 June 2025

How to apply

Updated funding guidelines and an online application form will be published on the Round 6 opening date.

1. Visit our supporting documents page to view the:

  • FNCF guidelines
  • General Funding guidelines

2. Complete the online application form. 

Arts Queensland uses Smartygrants, an online grant application system. If you are unable to access Smartygrants contact:

More information