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.
The successful candidate receives:
- A $7,500 commission fee to develop a new work.
- A performance outcome at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2026, including a separate performance fee.
- Up to $5,000 for professional and artistic development opportunities, as negotiated with the AAO.
- Mentorship with AAO to develop and present the work, and the option to participate in the AAO’s yearly program of creative workshops.
- Producing support and mentorship from MIJF staff to develop and present the work.
- Consultation session(s) with the AAO’s First Nations Artistic Advisory Circle (Kutcha Edwards, Brenda Gifford and David Arden)
- Mentoring and consultation with Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation (Uncle Rob Bundle).
- Ticketing package for MIJF 2025/26 and artistic/industry networking opportunities.
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
In August 2024, MIJF and the AAO announced composer and percussionist Adam Manning as the 2024/25 First Nations Artist Residency program leader. Born on Awabakal/Worimi Country, and with Kamilaroi kinship, Manning wears many hats—musician, artist, designer, producer and researcher at the University of Newcastle, NSW. He has shared the stage with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and his compositions have also found a home on ABC Classic. Through his expert use of percussion, Manning’s rhythmic expressions connect him to Land, People, Culture and Story—articulating the natural frequency (heartbeat) of Ngaya Barray (Mother Earth). Adam Manning says of the program: “I’m incredibly excited to dive into this residency and explore new ways to connect rhythm and culture”.
The 2023/24 resident artist was award-winning Noongar woman and Naarm-based vocalist and artist, Bumpy. In 2024, Bumpy presented her deeply moving and personal commission, Tooni at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio. Bumpy was supported to develop the work over an 18-month period, including travelling to Noongar Boodja with her mother. Bumpy said, “The trip back home with my family was an incredible reminder of the power that runs in my blood. A reminder to share stories with our old people and deeply listen. To step out and see how impactful the people directly around us are. And to continue practising your sovereign rights, cultural practices and language”.
In 2022 the program leader was composer and Yuin woman, Brenda Gifford. Brenda presented her commission Moriyawa at the Melbourne Recital Centre, inspired by the migration of whales and their significance in stories of creation. The performance featured Brenda on saxophone, Reuben Lewis on trumpet and electronics, Aviva Endean on clarinets, Andrea Keller on piano, Helen Svoboda on bass, Joe Brown McLeod on didjeridoo/clapsticks, and Maria Moles on drums. You can read more about Brenda’s performance here.
The inaugural program leader in 2021 was award-winning musician, dancer, director and proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditj Mara and Ngarrindjeri man, Amos Roach. With support from the AAO, Amos composed Six Seasons, a suite of music which he premiered at the Melbourne Recital Centre during MIJF 2021. The work featured Amos on yidaki, Maria Moles on drums, Adrian Sherriff on trombone/shakuhachi, and Stephen Magnusson on guitar, as well as the Murrundaya Yepengna dancers.
