Creative Mode

Share ideas, celebrate your culture and imagine new worlds. Your talents and ideas could lead you down many creative paths – illustration, fine art, animation, fashion, acting, music, filmmaking, creative writing, content creation, game design or journalism. Find out more about cracking into these fields, uncover funding opportunities, and learn where you can connect with like-minded creatives. 

Pathways

• Pursue an undergraduate degree in a creative field like art, design, music, film studies or media studies. Explore various areas or focus on a niche you’re passionate about. Many institutions also offer admission pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Check out Course Seeker or Good Universities Guide to find a course that appeals to you.

• Get hands-on skills through a creative vocational course at TAFE or a VET provider like the Australian Institute of Advanced Studies or the Vocational Training Institute. Search for VET courses on Study Australia to get an idea of what’s out there.

• Look into a program at a creative institute like NIDA, WAAPA, AFTRS, AIM or JMC. Some have programs designed for First Nations students, like AFTRS’ First Nations program.

• Sign up for a short course in a specific area like graphic design, film production or digital media. Open Universities Australia is a great place to start.

• Have a look at current job opportunities on boards like SEEK or Ethical Jobs. For roles specific to First Nations job hunters, you can search for ‘Aboriginal Identified jobs’ or filter for Indigenous jobs. Koori Mail, Our Mob and Indigenous Employment Australia are job boards created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are worth a look, too. 

• You could also check out community theatre classes or local community arts centres, spend time at galleries for inspiration, find a local art class, or simply just spend some time making your own art and seeing where it takes you. There are so many non-study based options for pursuing creativity!

Funding

There are a range of scholarships available for First Nations young people looking to study something creative, including the National Art School First Peoples Scholarship, the American Australian Association Arts Fund Indigenous Scholarships and the NIDA Open First Nations Subsidy.

For more info about financial support, visit institution websites. Many universities and TAFEs offer funding for First Nations students. If you’re considering uni, check out the NIAA’s list of Indigenous Higher Education Units, where you can learn more about student support. It’s also worth exploring ABSTUDY, AIEF’s scholarship program and creative-specific scholarships via Aurora Foundation’s Indigenous Pathways Portal.

Networking

• Networks like the Australian Network for Art and Technology and the Design Institute of Australia can connect you to other students and professionals in your area. There are groups just for mob out there, too, like First Nations Media and the International Indigenous Design Network.

• Get in touch with agencies around Australia that represent First Nations creatives, like Awesome Black, BlakDance and NADA, to see if there are any opportunities available. 

• The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts free four-day workshops (both in-person and online) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young adults looking to learn about pathways in creative and cultural industries.

• Meta and Screen Australia run an immersive production and education program designed to foster Indigenous talent and to help create long-term career prospects in social media and digital content creation. 

• CareerTrackers supports First Nations students from Year 12 and throughout university to connect with employers and participate in paid, multi-year internships.

• Yalari’s Pathways Program helps to prepare students for life after school and to navigate the transition to higher education, vocational training and employment.

• AIEF offers career support for First Nations students from Year 11 onwards, assisting with goal setting and applications for higher education, training or employment opportunities.

• Connect with a mentor through AIEF or AIME. If you want advice specific to your field, Media Mentors Australia is worth a look.

• Indigenous student support centres at your education provider (like an Indigenous Higher Education Unit) aren’t just good for finding resources; they’re a great place to find connection and community, too.

What else would you be good at?

Hit up the quiz again to see where else your skills, interests or passions could take you. Or, jump ahead to learn more about the other quiz outcomes and how to get started on those instead.

• More into working with your hands? Build your skills as a Hands-on Trade Master.

• More into the latest tech trends and gadgets? Being a Tech Head might be your calling.

• Ready to build and create? Explore how to become an Engineer for the Real World.

• All about helping others and being there for mob? Being a Health Profesh could be just the thing!

• Inspired by the many wonders of the world? Being a So Sciency Scientist could be for you.

• Want to inspire and educate young ones? Get Schooled and make it happen.

• Keen to stay close to mob and to uplift your community? Discover how to be Socially Savvy and advocate for others.

• Got a mad new idea? Start your journey as a Deadly Entrepreneur.

• Love delivering exceptional service for community? Get thriving as a Main Street Hero.