Student Sterling Nasa jumped up on stage for Sydney's La La Land in Concert after conductor Justin Hurwitz turned to the audience for help.

Sydney-born, Berlin-based violinist Beatrice Colombis competes for a first prize that includes $40,000 NZ and a recording deal.

Rising costs have prohibited more than half of Australians from attending a live show, while classical music audiences grow, finds Creative Australia in its latest survey.

Brisbane-born soprano Xenia Puskarz Thomas receives $25,000 to support her rapidly-rising international career.

The Geelong-based theatre company will be the first Australians to hold the significant position of Portrait artist at the Festival d'Automne à Paris.

Aspiring young orchestral musicians can apply to AYO for a range of programs to uplift both performance and professional skills.

After taking over from The Basement seven years ago, the iconic Sydney music venue will shut its doors once more due to financial pressures.

Jake Lyle, who played The Phantom on Sydney Harbour, is one of OA's new Young Artists, who will perform in concert with the graduating class in August.

Musician Stephen Pigram, director and playwright John Harvey, and artist Bronwyn Bancroft are amongst this year's honourees.

After a backlash, the move was defended by its CEO as a "controlled" use of the AI that can generate revenue for participating artists.

As the festival moves to Cairns, the new grants will support regional touring and the invitation of international artists through a tourism initiative.

Donovan will return to Australia to play the rebellious Randle P. McMurphy in an exclusive Melbourne season, which he will co-produce.