A new work from Anne Cawrse, John Butler's festival debut and a program from two South American guitarists among the highlights.

Presented annually at opening of National Reconciliation Week, the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards celebrate the achievements of First Nations artists across the country.

Anticipating ABC Classic's 50th anniversary, Classic FM's Managing Editor will take on the newly-established position in the coming months.

Closely associated with the company for more than a decade, James Evans steps into leadership role.

Citing injury, the international violin star Patricia Kopatchinskaja withdraws from a highly anticipated Australian Chamber Orchestra tour.

The former Affinity Quartet violinist takes second place at the Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition.

Sheridan Harbridge to write a new work for STC; Karolina Ristevski awarded for a work "equal parts joyous, devastating, and confounding".

The Queensland Choir farewells its leader as an extraordinarily long tenure comes to a close.

Ensemble Offspring, Marrugeku, Sydney Youth Orchestras and Gondwana Choirs among 82 arts organisations to share $17m.

Playwright Michele Lee takes home the award for her work about a woman "having the greatest romance of her life, or a midlife crisis".

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes spruiks a $600m surplus and major investment in Victoria's cultural institutions. But thousands of public sector jobs to go.

Calling for survey responses from composers and commissioners, the project will build a guide to illuminate the process of commissioning Australian art music.