A highlight of the recent Space to Create program was the co-writing of a song by all eight participants which, when released later this year, should have a strong presence on our national First Nations and other radio programs, it being a signature song for our time.

For one week in August, the School of Music at the ANU partnered with the Australia Council for the Arts and delivered the Space to Create program for First Nations musicians. Specifically, the aim of the program was to create a dedicated space so each of the participants could take the time to explore and realise creative ideas, and to provide professional development opportunities for the future.

The program unfolded in the Joe Geia Yil Lull Studio at the School and the School’s larger recording studio. Musicians included established First Nations musicians from NSW, Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia, the ACT and the Torres Strait Islands. The School’s First Nations music producer/engineer Will Kepa was kept busy in the week managing all recording projects, and is now mixing and mastering those. Regarding the exciting news about release of the song, tune in soon!