First Nations Artist Residency

About the Program

Melbourne International Jazz Festival, the Australian Art Orchestra and Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our festival and activities take place, the People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. We are honoured to contribute to the over 60,000 years of music making and culture that has taken place on this land.

The First Nations Artist Residency program is an artistic and professional development initiative presented in partnership between the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF), the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) and Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation. The program supports the career development of a First Nations musician with a practice in jazz, improvisation, singer-songwriter music, hip-hop, soul, or contemporary art music and its composition.

Applications now open

Applications are open now for the 2026/27 First Nations Artist Residency program, and close at 6pm AEST on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

The successful candidate will receive:

• A $7,500 commission fee from MIJF to develop a new work.
• A performance outcome at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2027, including a separate performance fee.
• A $7,500 professional and artistic development bursary from the AAO.
• Producing support and mentorship from MIJF and AAO staff to develop and present the work.
• Consultation session(s) with a member of AAO’s First Nations Artistic Advisory Circle (Kutcha Edwards, Brenda Gifford, Adam Manning and David Arden).
• Mentoring and consultation with Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation (Uncle Rob Bundle).
• Ticketing package for MIJF 2026/27 and artistic/industry networking opportunities.

Who can apply?

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander musicians currently residing in Australia are eligible to apply. The program is open to a broad range of musical genres with the aim to support experimentation and improvisation within and across genres.

Click here to read more about the program and download the application pack.

Submit your application via our application form below.

Any questions? Please contact Merinda Dias-Jayasinha, Associate Producer & Programs Coordinator on merinda@melbournejazz.com or Tom Browne, Executive Producer on tom@melbournejazz.com or by calling (03) 9001 1388

Introducing the 2025/26 First Nations Artist Residency program leader

Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF), together with the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) and Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation, is excited to announce that Sachém has been selected as the 2025/26 First Nations Artist Residency program leader.

Sachém is a recording artist, storyteller, and cultural documentarian who blends lyricism, spoken word and hip-hop to craft narratives that honour his heritage and lived experiences. Raised between Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Adelaide, he is connected to his Noonuccal roots while also drawing from his lineage in the Black American diaspora to create music that is both grounded and global. His debut album easier said than done is releasing October 2025.

Sachém says of the program: “It’s an honour to be the recipient of this artist residency. The intersections between jazz and hip hop are often overlooked, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the hip hop world at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, while paying respect to the genre’s deep roots in jazz and blues”.

Find out more and hear more from Sachém on our Content Hub.

Program Alumni