Definitions of Contemporary Music vary but are generally focused around new, original music.
Here we share two key definitions set out by NSW and national music funding bodies, Sound NSW and Music Australia.
Sound NSW is a dedicated contemporary music office within the NSW Government. In its programs, "contemporary music refers to artists and acts performing new and original music".
It does not providing funding for experimental music and sound art, contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles, music theatre, and working in and with community music groups.
In 2023, the Music Australia Council defined Australian contemporary music as "any genre or subgenre of music currently composed, written, produced by Australians and licensed, recorded, presented, and distributed through commercial and non-commercial activity".
