Our Projects: Amplifying First Nations Creativity
Project Showcase
The Awesome Black Foundation supports a variety of culturally significant and impactful projects that embody our mission of empowering First Nations voices. Below are some of the groundbreaking initiatives we have proudly supported.
STAUNCH. Publication
A platform for sharing thought-provoking stories, essays, and artworks from First Nations voices. STAUNCH. creates space for deep reflections on culture, politics, and identity, fostering conversation and innovation. Each year Awesome Black commissions work from established and emerging First Nations writers, allowing them freedom of expression to put forward ideas that challenge and create change.
You can directly contribute to STAUNCH. through subscription. All subscription proceeds go towards commissioning new writing.
Petroglyph Podcast
A podcast that delves into the creative lives of industry experts, exploring the challenges and triumphs of First Nations creativity. Petroglyph provides listeners with deep insights into the world of creative innovation, storytelling, and cultural expression.
Yarn Quest
Yarn Quest began as a 30-episode podcast supported by Awesome Black, focused on sharing First Nations stories for young audiences. Co-created by Jade Goodwin, Co-Founder of Awesome Black, the project quickly gained traction. Recognising its potential, Awesome Black partnered with the podcast’s host and worked to pitch the project to Penguin, successfully transitioning it into a three-book series for young readers.
The book series, written by Brooke Scobie and illustrated by Jade Goodwin, continues the spirit of Yarn Quest, bringing First Nations stories to an even broader audience. Awesome Black receives a 2% royalty from book sales, which is reinvested into supporting new creative project commissions.
Coming Soon
The Awesome Black Awards
An event that celebrates the excellence of First Nations creators across various disciplines. These awards shine a spotlight on First Nations design, vision, and leadership in creative industries, fostering cultural pride and recognition.
Grants and Scholarships
The Awesome Black Foundation offers financial support to First Nations creatives through an annual grants and scholarships program aimed at fostering the development of new creative works. Each year, the Foundation will open submissions for grants supporting the creation of new publishable works in either book or record form.
The Foundation will award two financial grants each year to selected First Nations artists, writers, musicians, or other creatives. These grants will enable recipients to bring their vision to life, offering them both the financial backing and practical support needed to create impactful, culturally significant work.
Program Details:
- Annual Submissions: The Foundation will accept submissions once a year, inviting First Nations creators to propose projects for new works in literary or musical formats.
- Grant Focus: The program prioritises projects aimed at producing publishable works, including books, music albums, or other significant creative outputs.
- Partnerships: The Foundation will collaborate with leading publishers and music distributors to support recipients in publishing and distributing their works to a wider audience, ensuring that these First Nations stories and voices reach their full potential.
- Royalty Model: In recognition of the Foundation’s contribution, Awesome Black will retain a 2% royalty stake in the final published work. This small percentage will help feed back into the fund, ensuring future creatives have access to the same opportunity.
Through this initiative, the Awesome Black Foundation is committed to amplifying First Nations creativity and empowering artists to create lasting cultural legacies.
