First Nations Artist Residency Program 26-27
The First Nations Artist Residency Program is an artistic and professional development initiative presented in partnership between the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF), Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation and the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO). The program supports the career development of a First Nations musician with a practice in jazz, improvisation, hip-hop, singer-songwriter, or contemporary art music and its composition.
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.
The 2026/27 EOI is currently open, and will close 6pm AEST on Tuesday 19 May 2026.
This program is delivered in partnership with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival
and Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation
AAO Artistic Director Aaron Choulai: “Since its inception in 1994, the AAO has made a commitment through commissions and collaboration to supporting our First Nations artists. In collaboration with The Melbourne International Jazz Festival, our First Nations Artist Residency is a part of our yearly program that not only allows us to keep our commitment, but is also a collaboration we are genuinely excited by and look forward to. This program allows us to connect and better understand the music, process, and cultural and artistic diversity of First Nations peoples. In turn, we offer musical expertise, professional development, and creative opportunities, resulting in a reciprocal relationship that produces works that are creatively fearless, ambitious and that hopefully, allow for all Australians to see themselves reflected in.”
2025/26 Recipient - Sachém
Sachém is a recording artist who blends lyricism, spoken word, and hip-hop. Raised on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Adelaide, he is connected to his Noonuccal roots while also drawing from his lineage in the Black American lineage.
His music reflects this dual heritage, exploring themes of identity, legacy, and resilience while contributing to the global hip-hop landscape.
From winning the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Poetry Prize to performing at BIGSOUND, QPAC heading up a 22 piece orchestra, and the Queensland Music Awards, he has gained national recognition.
His music championed by iHeart, Triple J, FBi Radio, and community stations, Sachem is establishing an independent presence both in Australia and internationally.
Previous Recipients
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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.
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). His career has seen him share the stage with distinguished orchestras, collaborate with artists such as Keith Carlock, John Paul Young and James Morrison, and compose commissions for Ensemble Offspring and ABC Classic.
“A virtuosic clapstick cadenza performed by the composer melded traditional and contemporary techniques into a captivating display of timbre and rhythm” – The Age
Adam Manning says of the program: “I’m incredibly excited to dive into this residency and explore new ways to connect rhythm and culture”.
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Adopting her childhood nickname — adorned due to a knack for bumping into all kinds of obstacles - Bumpy’s deeply affecting music pulls from the strength found in tenderness, scars and all. Her stirring voice is transportive, arresting listeners with complex, intimate and multi-faceted truths of loss, joy and connection. Always honest, raw and purely captivating, Bumpy has performed to audiences around the country across festivals and events including: BIGSOUND, Strawberry Fields, Boogie Festival, Melbourne Music Week, Nannup Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Sun Cycle, St Kilda Festival, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Dreamtime at the MCG (2023), APRA Music Awards (2023) and more. 2022 saw Bumpy win the triple j Unearthed NIMAs Competition and play at the awards in Darwin, feature as a triple j Spotlight Artist and win the Uncle Archie Roach Foundation Award at the Music Victoria Awards. In 2023, Bumpy has appeared as a feature in the Rolling Stone, NME, NITV series and broadcast her new show ‘Pebbles’ at Triple R 102.7FM.
Bumpy has just completed a 3-week trip to Noongar Boodja to connect with country and language as part of her commission’s development, with the performance premiering at Arts Centre Melbourne as part of MIJF 2024.
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Brenda is a classically trained pianist and saxophonist whose work and arts practice is informed by her Country, community and culture. A contemporary classical composer and Yuin woman, Brenda creates music for ensembles, orchestras, choirs, dance and theatre performances, festivals and concerts. Currently studying a Master of Music (Composition) in the Composing Women program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Brenda’s work has been commissioned and performed by the Canberra, Tasmania and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Ensemble Offspring, Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Australian Art Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company.
Brenda says of the appointment: “I am excited to be a part of this program. It is a great opportunity to work with MIJF and the AAO to develop my composing skills.
I’ll be building on my work with the AAO from a recent Meeting Points concert, weaving in new ideas inspired by stories from my country. I’m also looking forward to playing some horn!
This program will provide me with a supportive and nurturing environment where I can push my contemporary classical music work to the next stage and extend my artistic collaboration foundations and connections.”
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Amos Roach is an award-winning musician, dancer, director and proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditjmara and Ngarrindjeri man. Amos has been playing keyboard, guitar, bass and Yidaki since he was eight, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s best Yidaki players. A cultural practitioner, traditional First Nations culture informs the fundamentals of his craft. Amos’ music is part of the songline that connects people and Country. He uses traditional instruments, songs, music and dance to tell stories of Songlines, Family and Country and aims to bring traditional instruments into the mainstream canon. As a musician, Amos has regularly performed with a host of bands and artists like Sandy Evans, Black Magic, No Fixed Address and with father, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter and the Roach Family Band. Amos also curates his own events showcasing First Nations performers, and is Director of dance troupe Murrundaya Yepengna.
Amos says: “To normalise the use of Traditional First Nations instruments in the general community adds to the sense of confidence to practice Culture openly and publicly. This is a profound shift in the dynamic between First Nations people and the general community, given the oppression and suppression of Cultural practices that has occurred here for so long.”
