Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Bunjil Place Announce Landmark Three-Year Partnership and New $40,000 Commissioning Fund
Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) and Bunjil Place are proud to announce a new three-year partnership that will support the creation of ambitious new Australian music through a major annual commissioning initiative.
At the heart of the partnership is the establishment of CrossCurrents: National Jazz Commission, an annual $40,000 commissioning and creative development fund to support Australian-led jazz, improvised and contemporary music projects developed in collaboration with international artists.
The commissioning fund reflects a shared commitment by both organisations to artistic innovation, creative development and international cultural exchange, while creating new opportunities for Australian artists to realise work of significant scale and ambition.
As Australia’s leading platform for jazz and improvised music, Melbourne International Jazz Festival has a longstanding commitment to artist development, commissioning new work, and building international opportunities for Australian musicians. Through its year-round artist development and international engagement programs, the festival supports artists at all stages of their careers and helps connect Australian talent with audiences and industry around the world.
A cultural hub for Melbourne’s south-east, Bunjil Place is one of Victoria’s leading arts and cultural destinations, presenting a diverse program of performances, exhibitions and community experiences while supporting artistic development and cultural participation across the region.
The new commissioning fund will provide a rare opportunity for musicians working in jazz and improvised music to create major new works with the support, resources and time needed to fully realise their artistic vision.
Over the three-year partnership, one project will be commissioned annually. The selected artist or ensemble will receive $40,000 in project support, jointly funded by MIJF and Bunjil Place. Projects will be developed at Bunjil Place and will have a premiere presentation as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Each commission must be Australian-led and feature a clear international collaboration component, fostering meaningful creative exchange between local and international artists.
MIJF Festival Director & CEO Hadley Agrez said:
“This partnership represents a major investment in the future of Australian jazz and improvised music. Together with Bunjil Place, we’re creating a platform for artists to dream big, forge meaningful international connections, and develop bold new work that can resonate around the globe”
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said:
“This partnership is a significant investment in Australia’s creative future and an exciting opportunity for the City of Casey. It will support the creation of new work, foster international artistic collaboration, and further strengthen Casey’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture.”
Applications for CrossCurrents: National Jazz Commission will open in late 2026. Stay tuned for further details.
The partnership between Bunjil Place and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival will also extend beyond the commissioning fund, with a range of performances and workshops to be presented as part of the 2026 Melbourne International Jazz Festival -expanding the festival’s reach across Greater Melbourne and strengthening access to world-class contemporary music experiences in the south-east.
Further details of the 2026 series at Bunjil Place will be announced when the full Melbourne International Jazz Festival program launches in mid-August 2026.
