In a briefing today, Wednesday, 21 May, composer and arts worker Cameron Lam, Creative Australia and Music Australia announced the launch of a new initiative concerning commissioning rates and practices in the Australian art music sector.

The project aims to both bring transparency to the commissioning process in Australian contemporary composition, as well as to the process for new commissioners seeking to enter the economy, said Lam.

Rubiks Collective performing A Book of Hours in 2023. Photo © Darren Gill

The initial stages include the launch of the Genesis Commissioning Surveys, which feature two individual forms – one for creators and one for commissioners. Both surveys are now open for responses. The surveys aim to “establish a snapshot” of the current commissioning rates across the fields of classical, jazz, improvised and experimental music and sound art.

This will result in the publication of two industry resources. The 2025 Art Music Commissioning Report, to be released later this year, will illustrate the current state of art music commissions and include industry trends. The Best Practice Guide for Art Music Commissioning will lay out recommendations for minimum rates (a rate card) and ethical practices...