The Bridge | Building Career Pathways for Contemporary Music Creators

The Bridge is a powerful new opportunity for contemporary music creators and primary schools to come together. It creates paid pathways for artists, enriches music learning in schools, and supports the growth of a strong, sustainable creative workforce — something The Song Room is proud to champion.

Introducing The Bridge,  a bold new 10-week pilot program for primary schools and contemporary music creators from The Song Room. Supported by Creative Australia, The Bridge provides new career opportunities to music creators, including songwriters, producers, and recording and performing artists.

If you’re an artist looking to expand your career, or a school wanting to bring real-world creative practice into your classrooms, this is an opportunity not to miss.

What Is The Bridge? 

The Bridge connects experienced contemporary music creators with The Song Room’s expert Teaching Artists to work together in primary school classrooms through a supported co-teaching model.

Across a 10-week paid pilot, creators bring their real-world creative practice into schools, inspiring young people through music while building new skills and portfolio-ready experience. Schools gain access to professional artists, high-quality arts learning, and a model that supports both teachers and students.

At its heart, The Bridge is about shared value: artists grow their careers, schools strengthen learning, and students experience the power of creativity firsthand.

An Amazing Opportunity for Contemporary Music Creators

The Bridge is designed for experienced music creators who want to explore new, meaningful ways to use their practice — while being paid to do so.

No teaching background is required just a willingness to learn, collaborate and share your real work experience with a new generation. Artists are supported by The Song Room’s Teaching Artists and classroom teachers, gaining confidence, skills and experience in real school settings. The program opens doors to new career pathways and contributes to building a more sustainable creative workforce.

What Creators Gain: 

• Paid, meaningful work that complements an existing creative career
• Employment for one full day per week for 10 weeks (Semester 1, 2026)
• Mentorship from an experienced Song Room Teaching Artist \\
• Supported classroom experience through a co-teaching model
• New skills in teaching, facilitation and youth engagement
• Portfolio-ready experience and professional development
• The chance to help shape the future of arts education and the creative workforce

A Powerful Opportunity for Schools

For schools, The Bridge brings contemporary music creators into the classroom — enriching arts learning and exposing students to real-world creative careers.
Artists collaborate with Teaching Artists and classroom teachers to deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned music experiences. Students learn from working musicians, gaining inspiration, confidence and a deeper connection to learning through the arts.

What Schools Gain: 

• Access to experienced contemporary music creators
• High-quality, engaging music and arts learning
• A supported co-teaching model delivered by The Song Room
• Creative role models who inspire aspiration and participation
• Enriched learning environments that support student wellbeing and engagement
• On the job Professional Learning for generalists classrooms teachers to confidently deliver Arts learning.

Who Can Take Part? 

Contemporary Music Creators
We’re seeking five experienced creators, one each from NSW, VIC, SA, WA and QLD, including songwriters, producers and recording artists.
To be eligible, artists must:

• Have at least three years of industry experience 
• Be able to commit to one full day per week for 10 weeks

Apply here: Music Creators Expression of Interest

Schools 
Primary schools interested in strengthening their music and arts programs through partnerships with professional contemporary creators are encouraged to register their interest.

Apply here: Go to The Bridge at Contact Us/Enquire about The Song Room in my School

Why The Song Room? 

For more than 26 years, The Song Room has partnered with schools across Australia to deliver impactful arts learning for children experiencing disadvantage. Our Teaching Artists combine deep creative expertise with educational excellence, ensuring high-quality outcomes for students, teachers and artists alike.

The Bridge builds on this legacy, supporting artists to thrive, schools to grow their arts offerings, and young people to experience the joy and power of music.

Applications close: Sunday, 15 February 2026.  

 
For further information or to discuss participation, please contact:

Milly Petriella OAM, Educational Partnerships Manager.
M 0412 061 180 |  E milly@songroom.org.au

Together, The Bridge is creating new pathways for artists, strengthening schools, and supporting a vibrant, sustainable creative workforce across Australia.

Find out about other Programs from The Song Room here