The 2015-16 Victoria Budget secures Victoria as the music capital of Australia, investing $12.2 million in Victoria’s music sector to support young and emerging musicians and live music venues, boosting tourism and creating jobs.
The Music Works package includes a range of initiatives to boost the development of the local music industry.
The Budget provides $8 million to establish Victoria Rocks, a grants program to support artists embarking on interstate and international tours; support music festivals and community programming; and help provide services such as sound and light engineers, advertising and transport.
The Music Market – a one-stop-music hub for recording and distribution, open to artists, venues, managers and industry development organisations – has been secured with $300,000 for planning and industry consultation.
A further $10 million has been set aside for the Market, including the Victorian Music Development Office and the Australian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to be allocated upon conclusion of planning.
Live music venues across the state have been boosted, with $1.48 million in funding to undertake upgrades and improvements from sound-proofing to technical or acoustic enhancements.
Young and emerging musicians have been given support, with $2 million for professional development programs including mentoring, to help them break into highly competitive local and international markets.
Victoria’s music industry is a strong visitor drawcard, and the Budget provides $400,000 to support its promotion to help boost tourism.
Creative Victoria has appointed music industry leader Kirsty Rivers to lead the implementation of this package in the role of Manager, Contemporary Music.
The Andrews Labor Government has provided the largest investment in the creative industries since 2009-10, with the comprehensive Music Works package part of the $202 million allocation.
Victoria Rocks will open for applications in the second half of 2015.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley
“Victoria is the music capital of Australia. It’s part of our culture and why we’re a great place to live and visit.”
“Music Works will support local acts every step of the way, helping to support musicians, grow the musical element of our creative industries and create jobs.”
“From the next great Victorian band playing out of a garage to live music venues across our state, Labor is supporting the works that give our state so much in return.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020