The Live Music Australia initiative is part of the $30.9 million Australian Music Industry Package providing $22.5 million over four years to assist thousands of small businesses with grants
This announcement is the first tranche of Live Music Australia funding
Music in our cities, regional centres and towns creates a competitive advantage and drives tourism dollars
The announcement today of the first tranche of Live Music Australia funding is a critical first step in supporting an industry that is worth $16 billion to the Australian economy.
"From Hobart to Exmouth and Darwin to outback Queensland and the eastern seaboard, we are thrilled to see the first round of this funding supporting artists and venues from every corner of the country,” said Dean Ormston, CEO APRA AMCOS.
"Live music is the beating heart of the Australian music industry, supporting the careers of songwriters and musicians at every stage of their career and propelling their success both at home and around the world.
"This funding, a direct result of APRA AMCOS advocating with other key industry organisations for a broad based tax offset for the presentation and development of live music, is the first step in seeing how live music not only supports the careers of artists, but helps drive the hospitality and tourism sectors and supports communities nationally.”
The Live Music Australia initiative is part of the $30.9 million Australian Music Industry Package providing $22.5 million over four years to assist thousands of Australian small businesses with grants for artist costs and to invest in equipment or infrastructure to establish or upgrade live music venues and schedule more performances.
"Given the cross-portfolio value and benefits the music industry delivers - arts, exports, small business, domestic and international tourism, education, health, regional development – we urge the Australian Government to ensure progressive tax policies including rebates, offsets and R&D incentives for the sector are implemented as a priority over the next term of government.
"As the remaining rounds of this funding are distributed over the next three years, it is also vital that state, territory and local government ensure they have the regulatory frameworks in place to ensure that live music thrives.
"A nationally coordinated approach across government to cut red tape and remove bad planning decisions that close down live music venues must be a priority if Australian music is to succeed locally and globally and we can aim to become one of the few net exporters of music,” he said.
Music in our cities, regional centres and towns creates a competitive advantage. More than half of the population attends live music with every dollar spent on live music in Australia, three dollars’ worth of benefits are returned to the wider Australian community.
As well as this, Tourism Research Australia data shows investment in music and cultural events has one of the greatest impacts in increasing regional visitation. Music, in particular, is one of the highest value events that can drive overnight trips and provide a competitive advantage to regional areas.
Details of the next round of Live Music Australia grants can be found here:
www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/live-music-australia