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 are now open for the 2025/26 First Nations Artist Residency program!
The successful candidate will receive:
- 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.
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 here.
Applications close at 5pm AEST on Monday 28 July 2025.
Any questions? Please contact Merinda Dias-Jayasinha, Associate Producer & Programs Coordinator at merinda@melbournejazz.com or Tom Browne, Senior Producer & Programmer at tom@melbournejazz.com or by calling (03) 9001 1388
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.
