Space to Create is an initiative fuelling First Nations music

Written by Erika McGown. 

Fire needs three things to burn: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Take one away and it doesn’t matter how much potential there is – the flame won’t hold.

Creativity works the same way. It needs the right conditions: time, support, breathing room. Space to Create, a residency led by Creative Australia, is about giving First Nations artists what they need to produce music on their own terms.

At the Yil Lull recording studio, which is based at The Australian National University’s School of Music, eight musicians from across the country are doing just that. During their time on campus, they enjoy access to high-end studios, tailored mentorship, and the creative room to experiment, reconnect and make music.

“It’s just pure, unadulterated creativity,” says artist Bedlam Rigney.

Torres Strait Islander musician Will Kepa is the program coordinator of Space to Create.

“It means nothing more than what it implies,” he says of the initiative’s name. “It’s about giving artists the time and space – physically, mentally, creatively – to do what they often can’t in day-to-day life”.

The sky’s the limit

For emerging artist Kaytlyn Johnson, returning to the residency for a second time was just as inspiring as her first visit.

“Here we have state-of-the-art studios,” she says. “It makes you feel like the sky’s the limit.”

Fellow participant Canisha agrees, remarking on the facilities.

“I’m a massive Harry Styles fan and in one of his documentaries they recorded each song live –and the room looks exactly like that,” she says. “I walked in and felt like I was in a dream.”

While the technology and setup offer a professional edge, the strength of the program lies in relationships – between mentors and artists, Elders and younger generations, and among the participants themselves.

Mentorship that extends beyond the studio

As part of the residency, each artist is paired with an experienced mentor. 

For Kaytlyn, that mentor was producer and performer Candice Lorrae – a proud First Nations woman with Jawayn and Torres Strait Islander heritage – who has been involved in Space to Create since the beginning.

“She has insane knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to tap into by myself,” Kaytlyn says. “I’ve learned so much from her.”

Candice Lorrae loves mentoring and sees it as a two-way exchange:

 “Seeing the growth of artists and helping their dreams come true is something special,” she says. “But I also learn so much from them in return.

“We jam, experiment, start demos. I don’t just produce for them – I show them how, so they can take those skills home and apply them beyond this program.”

Kepa feels similarly about the rewards of the residency.

“A lot of times, I learn just as much from them as they might from me,” he says. “They come in with their own vision. I’m just here to support that.”

Cultural strength, shared stories

The presence of respected Elders – including Uncle Bunna Lawrie and Jason Lee-Scott – grounds the residency in something much deeper than music.

“They remind us why we’re here,” says Kaytlyn. “Remembering what our ancestors fought for –that strength is so valuable”.

For Canisha, having this support led to a personal breakthrough.

“Uncle Bunna and Jason taught me how to play my own songs on guitar,” she says. “In one three-hour session, I can now play them all.”

Many participants have overcome significant barriers just to be here. As Bedlam puts it:

“Being mentally ill, queer, trans, disabled, Aboriginal – these are all systemic barriers …all those little things carry into the music industry.”

A program that keeps on giving

Space to Create continues to grow in both reach and impact.

“We’ve got the right number of mentors, a wide range of genres, and more ways to support each artist’s path,” says Candice Lorrae.

And the connections forged during the week won’t disappear when the program ends.

“I’m still in touch with every artist who’s come through,” says Kepa. “Seeing where they take their music next – that’s what it’s all about.”