The UNESCO Create Cities Network allows South Australia a unique platform to connect and share our music and creative culture with the world. This diverse Network of cities is a resource of knowledge and opportunities to share, build relationships, and promote our reputation and creative spirit.
Adelaide City of Music has worked to identify relationships and opportunities across the Network that align with the aspirations and feedback we receive from our music community. Through this process, ACOM has developed a strong connection with the International Indigenous Music Summit in Toronto, Canada. Over the last two years, ACOM facilitated the participation of artists DEM MOB, Nancy Bates, Rob Edwards, Leni Garrdio, and hosted a visit from IIMS director Nicole Augue. This year also saw the Executive Producer of the Adelaide Guitar Festival, Sarah Bleby, travel and attend the Summit on behalf of the festival.
Adelaide-based, Western Arrernte man, Rob Edwards, attended this year’s Summit and wrote to let us know of some of the direct outcomes that he has developed from it.
Rob wrote;
Attending the International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) in Toronto 2025 as a delegate has provided invaluable opportunities for my artistic and professional growth.
Through the summit, I was able to connect and build meaningful relationships with Indigenous artists, festival programmers, and industry members across Canada. These connections have already translated into tangible outcomes that are actively shaping the next phase of my career.
Most significantly, I have secured artist management with Midnight Bannock, an Indigenous-led business based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This partnership has come directly from the networks developed during IIMS. Additionally, collaborations are underway with artists I met at the summit, including Mitchell Makoons. Additionally, collaborations are underway with showcasing artists I met at the summit, including Mitchell Makoons and several other Manitoba-based Indigenous Artists. Together, we are currently in discussion about co-writing, recording, and touring opportunities in Canada through 2026. Similar conversations are emerging with other artists from various provinces, further expanding the scope of my Canadian connections.
As a Folk/Country artist, I recognise the substantial market and audience for my music in Canada. With the foundation laid at IIMS, I plan to dedicate significant time and resources to touring and building a career presence in the region. Looking ahead, I hope to be a showcasing artist at the 2026 summit, which I believe will allow me to gain further traction in Canada and expand my professional network, particularly by targeting festivals.
Equally important are the cultural similarities and exchanges between the First Nations of Australia and Canada. These connections are something I deeply value and see as a vital source of support as I move forward in both my creative and professional journey.
These opportunities, relationships, and career developments all stem from the seed planted by attending the International Indigenous Music Summit. I am deeply grateful to Adelaide City of Music and Music Development Office (MDO) for their support in making my participation possible.
ACOM is proud to facilitate relationships and opportunities such as this and relies on the close engagement with our music community and the generous contribution of government agencies and not-for-profit organisations that support our vision to make programs such as the IIMS a reality. ACOM would like to thank the South Australian Government through the Music Development Office, The Adelaide Guitar Festival, Sounds Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Nexus Arts for their support.
There is a lot we can learn from the IIMS and Canada, and ACOM looks forward to working with its partners in the music community to build on this relationship and facilitate further opportunities both here and internationally.
As a postscript to this wonderful news, Rob was awarded a special Adelaide UNESCO City of Music 10th Anniversary Award by the Minister for Arts, the Hon Andrea Michaels, at the recent SA Music Awards. The award provides funding that will enable Rob to participate in an artist residency in Mexico in 2026. Organised by Glasgow-based arts organisations Routes to Roots, the residency brings together musicians from across the UNESCO cities of music network to collaborate and perform together.
ACOM was proud to facilitate this wonderful opportunity, and would like to also thank WOMADelaide, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM), and Nexus Arts for their support. An annual event, Routes to Roots shares similarities with Adelaide’s Nexus Arts. ACOM is working to build an ongoing relationship between these two organisations and is confident that it will result in the development of future opportunities between Adelaide and Glasgow.