Recent weeks have seen a robust list of new initiatives for the live music industry from the Victorian State Government as well as with APRA AMCOS for the Lighthouse Awards and Connect and Create.
Music Works – Major Funding Rounds
The Music Works Grants program invests in the development and support of Victoria’s contemporary music artists and music industries. It provides support for projects and programs that will develop and bring dynamism to Victoria’s contemporary music sector, increase employment and build cultural capital.The program is open to new ideas, new modes of practice and new approaches to the delivery of contemporary music that will build on Victoria’s position as a world famous live music capital and Australia’s contemporary music hub.
Download the Music Works – Major Round program guidelines.
Victorian Government Commits To Fund Program to Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Live Music Venues
The program is the result of a taskforce and working group that includes members of LISTEN, SLAM (Save Live Australian Music), Music Victoria, Live Music Office and Victorian Police, that was convened in mid-2015 to figure out how to make venues safe spaces.
Australian-First Program To Drum Up Opportunities For Regional Music
Managed by Music Victoria, the Victorian Music Crawl is the first program of its kind in Australia. Three tours will take place across 2017-18, with a tour to the Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland planned for the second half of 2017 and a tour to Geelong, the Surf Coast and Warrnambool scheduled for next summer.
The first tour saw more than 20 Melbourne-based music managers, venue bookers, promoters, artists and music media undertake a three day tour to Ballarat, Castlemaine, Bendigo and Echuca.
Supported as part of the Labor Government’s landmark $22.2 million Music Works program, each trip will include visits to leading regional music venues and events, showcase performances by local artists and meetings with regionally-based music organisations and music media representatives.
Download the Media Release (352 KB)
Grants of up to $25,000 available to help celebrate Victorian music history
With grants of up to $25,000 available, Rockin’ the Laneways is designed to enliven public places; attract tourism and community activity, and ingrain our proud music heritage into the fabric of our cities, suburbs and regions.
The inaugural funding round supported projects including an audio walking tour exploring the life of Chrissy Amphlett, a digital map exploring significant music sites in Ballarat and a music and art festival celebrating the music heritage of the Mornington Peninsula.
While rock ‘n’ roll and laneways are icons of Melbourne’s music scene, the program embraces all music genres and locations across the state.
Projects could range from signs that mark key music sites; the creation of walking or discovery trails to link places of musical significance; digital projects focused on Victoria’s music history; or installations, activities and events that enliven locations that are key to the story of contemporary music in Victoria.
Grants are available to Victorian-based individuals, businesses and local councils, and require at least 25 percent in co-funding.
Read more about Rockin’ the Laneways
Over $2m available to community groups, schools from the ‘Victorian. And proud of it’. multicultural policy.
The Multicultural Festivals and Events (MFE) program encourages participation of the whole Victorian community in festivals and events to celebrate and embrace our vibrant multicultural diversity. This initiative is administered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion (MASC) Division.
See Website Multicultural Festivals and Events Program
The Lighthouse Award returns
Established in memory of Linda Gebar, The Lighthouse Award returns in 2017 with a $5000 grant on offer from APRA AMCOS.
The award is intended to support the professional development of a female manager or self-managed artist based in Victoria, and previous recipients include Jen Cloher, Bonnie Dalton and Bernadette Ryan.
See Media Release The Lighthouse Award returns
New Program Will Write A New Future For VIC Music
A major new festival and workshops with internationally successful artists and producers are part of a new program to boost the careers and international profile of Victorian songwriters and composers.
A partnership between the Andrews Labor Government and national music rights organisation APRA AMCOS, Connect and Create is a three-year program that will support local songwriters and composers to build sustainable careers and create music that will connect with audiences across the globe
See Media Release New Program Will Write A New Future For VIC Music
Women’s Honour Roll Receives 25 New Inductees
Twenty-five exceptional women have been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, celebrating contributions made to local communities and achievements from human rights advocacy to sport and medicine.
Congratulations to Helen Marcou (Bakehouse Studios, SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music) and Lou Bennett (Tiddas, Black Arm Band) for their induction into the Women’s Honour Roll for their contribution to the Victorian music industry.
See Media Release Women’s Honour Roll Receives 25 New Inductees
