6 music-related initiatives I’m supporting during Creative Australia’s AusArt Day 2025

Have you ever wanted to be a patron of the arts?

No, I’m not referring to being a member of Patreon or any other monetisation platform. You don’t need a fortune or to be a celebrity to do that, either. And there’s no requirement to attend a fancy auction at Sotheby’s or Christie’s.

All you really need to do is take part in the first-ever AusArt Day. And I’m here to tell you about a few music-related campaigns that you can support as part of this nationwide fundraising initiative.

PART 245 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE

Creative Australia is the Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body, which mainly aims to champion creativity to benefit all Australians and recognise the vital role that the arts play in communities. It does so by funding a wide range of arts activities, supporting, promoting and developing creative arts practice, and advocating for the value of arts and creativity.

Due to the nature of its work, the organisation has a comprehensive overview of the current state of the cultural sector and projects championing creative expression in the country. And it has recently highlighted an interesting trend in the creative industries, which is related to private investment. Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, it reports that “Giving Days [are] on the rise” and cultural philanthropy occupies a significant place within all Australian charitable activities.

It’s not a secret that the arts tend to be underfunded. But Creative Australia claims that “giving to and through the arts is an investment in Australia’s future, with social impact cutting across portfolios, from health and wellbeing, education and child development, to social cohesion and community resilience.” As a result, it has seized a promising opportunity to leverage that generosity and turn it into a nationwide campaign.

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The result is the inaugural AusArt Day, set for Thursday, 23 October 2025. Creative Australia denominate it as “more than a fundraiser—it’s a national public movement” with three objectives.

Firstly, it aims to fuse the arts organisations’ fundraising efforts into one national day to maximise their impact. Secondly, the idea is to increase the donor pool supporting creative industries in the Land Down Under by amplifying their contributions. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, AusArt Day is meant to elevate the public value of the arts in the consciousness of everyday Australians, hopefully inspiring even greater generosity in the future.

There are over 330 artists and arts organisations participating in the initiative in 2025, from a 12-hour DJ set to a First Nations choir, so I’m sure you’ll find at least one that tickles your fancy. But just in case you’re stuck, here are six of them from the music industry realm I find particularly interesting and worth shouting out this year.

Dance for Parkinson’s Australia: Together We Move – Dance for Health

A few years ago, I published a post about music’s impact on mental health and dementia care. But this initiative demonstrates the great well-being effect of dancing on seniors and people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Dance for Parkinson’s Australia quotes important World Health Organisation research. One-third of people aged 65+ are estimated to experience social isolation, with significant impacts on mental and physical health. That is a worrying statistic that, eventually, we’ll all inadvertently contribute to as well.

Social connection is now recognised as a critical third pillar of health—alongside mental and physical health. And what better way to forge social contacts than through an engaging, joyful activity? According to Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, dance offers evidence-based means of addressing the need for movement, connection, and peer support. Additionally, it supports balance, coordination, cognitive function, and social inclusion—all of which are essential for maintaining independence and quality of life. 

So it’s a no-brainer that this initiative has piqued my interest. If you feel the same, check out the Dance for Parkinson’s AusArt Day campaign page.

fbi radio’s voices at a crossroads

I often talk about commercial, mainstream radio on this channel. But it’s really the community broadcasters that make the Australian music landscape so vibrant.

FBi radio (short for Free Broadcast Incorporated, not the American law enforcement agency) is one of the most beloved and influential ones in the country. This independent, not-for-profit station is based in Redfern (a Sydney suburb). Its policy mandates that at least 50 per cent of its music content is to be Australian, of which at least half comes from local, Sydney musicians. This is a truly unique approach in the media landscape dominated by global creators from overseas.

But this independence can also be a challenge sometimes. FBi is volunteer-powered, community-driven, and entirely reliant on the community to survive. And we all know what that means – a constant struggle to find enough funds to keep it going. That’s the crossroads the radio finds itself at.

I’m all for supporting broadcasters that champion emerging artists, underground scenes, and multicultural voices that commercial media ignores. So read more about FBi’s AusArt Day campaign to see if that’s your jam, too.

Green Music Australia Giving Day

Here’s a statement you’ll surely agree with if you’re a frequent visitor to this blog: “Music is a powerful force. Together we can harness its power to create a healthier planet and a better future.” But they’re not my words. That’s Green Music Australia‘s mission.

The organisation’s role is to facilitate and inspire musicians and the broader industry to make changes to improve environmental performance, from energy use to packaging and waste to transport. And if it’s doing amazing work in that field. I covered one of its flagship projects, a tool for touring musicians called Sound Country, in this post.

Green Music Australia has set a very ambitious goal for 23 October. It aims to raise $10,000 in 12 hours to continue its work to make the local music business more sustainable. And they have an impressive matched giving partner: Sony Music.

As a fan first and foremost, I can’t imagine a world without music. But I also believe we can make music’s impact on the environment less harmful. So my “thumbs up” goes to Green Music Australia’s Giving Day. And I hope you’ll consider supporting it, too.

MusicNT: Fix ‘Em Up Truck

When there’s mention of making or playing music in Australia, I bet you don’t normally think about remote places, like the towns in the Northern Territory (NT). Am I right?

This is where MusicNT comes in. The peak body for music in the Northern Territory ensures the rest of Australia (and the world) is aware that part of the country also contributes to making the Australian music scene diverse and unique.

But a performance in Alice Springs or Yulara is different from a show in Sydney or Melbourne. MusicNT gives a glimpse into the scene, claiming that the instruments used to create music are in danger of being loved to death. Guitars are often shared among numerous bands, drum kits are used around the clock, and PA systems are pushed to the limit to keep the music going. And then, there’s the (infamous) red dust.

No wonder the MusicNT’s AusArt Day campaign focuses on “rescuing” that gear and ensuring music keeps sounding throughout NT. The “Fix ‘Em Up Truck” will not only carry experienced instrument repairers and technicians when they travel to give instruments some much-needed love wherever it’s needed. It will also allow them to pass on valuable knowledge and skills to ensure gear remains in top condition. So I totally second this initiative. What about you? 

One of One: Stronger Together – Support One of One

As a woman in the music business, this cause is particularly close to my heart. I also featured it previously on this blog because I reckon it’s great that there’s a space out there that champions the underrepresented groups in the Australian music industry.

But let me reintroduce One of One for the context. It’s a not-for-profit charity that supports, encourages and celebrates women and people in the Australian music industry by highlighting and acknowledging their achievements. And despite what you might think, there isn’t a heap of other initiatives of this type in the Land Down Under. Which is exactly the issue the org highlights.

I’ve learned heaps from the interviews with artists, activists, or music industry entrepreneurs that One of One publishes on its website. They tell inspiring stories but also provide handy tips on how to “survive” and forge one’s own path in this tricky business.

I really want them to keep on chatting with people who reflect my values, share relevant industry news and create opportunities. So if that strikes a chord with you, too, consider supporting One of One’s AusArt Day fundraising campaign.

The Push: Give A Gig

The Push is an organisation that wants to afford every young person the opportunity to participate and thrive in Australian music. And they got me with their nostalgic appeal by asking, “Do you remember your first gig?” 

It might sound strange at first, but The Push claims that, for too many young Australians, live music experiences are out of reach. And it’s for reasons that many of us might not have experienced when we were teenagers, for example. These days, tickets cost too much, transport is a barrier, and all-ages shows can be hard to find, especially in regional and rural areas.

So yes, I can still recall the lights, the sound and the energy from my first gig. It was an unforgettable experience that I cherish. And I believe that every young person should have at least the chance to make up their own minds about it. The Aussie youth organisation has come up with a brilliant idea to help make that happen in the Land Down Under.

The Push’s Give a Gig campaign has various tiers, allowing you to choose pitching in for just the ticket or adding transport and even a meal. But wait, there’s more. They’ve partnered with Live Nation to make an even greater impact. So what’s not to like?

Now, I know times are tough. And not everybody who wants to do some good can make a financial contribution to these causes. So if you’re short on pocket money at this time, dear readers, donating is not the only way to get involved in this year’s AusArt campaign. Sharing and recognising the incredible work of artists, educators, performers, and creators is equally important.

For example, you could promote the AusArt Day in your circles and on your channels, like I am. If you’re more hands-on, then volunteering your time and skills might be a good option. Participating in events is another great way to help spread the message. Finally, following arts organisations that form part of the 2025 campaign online or offline is always a welcome gesture.

So even if you’re not Andrew W. Mellon, who funded the National Gallery of Art in the US, or a Bono from U2 who leverages his music industry fame to tackle the world’s biggest issues, there’s always a way to show your support for the arts in Australia.

Find out about all other relevant AusArt Day details on the campaign’s dedicated website. Will you join the ranks of patrons of the Australian arts?

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Published by Silly McWiggles

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"Here for a good time - not a long time" 🎵 Curious music blog-her 🥁 Aspiring band manager 💡 Freelance experience designer 🎙️ Podcast-her 💪 Forever activist