Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley said today, “Victoria is the music capital of Australia. It’s part of our culture and why we’re a great place to live and visit.”
He added, “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.”
Music Works is part of an overall $202 million allocation to the creative industries, which the State Government says is the largest investment in the sectors since 2009-10.
Creative Victoria has appointed former APRA executive and high profile music executive Kirsty Rivers to lead the implementation of this package in the role of Manager, Contemporary Music.
This is how the budget has allocated the monies for contemporary music:
– $8 million for the Victoria Rocks grants program. It will support artists heading off on national and international tours, music festivals and community programming; and help to provide services such as sound and light engineers, advertising and transport. Applications will open in the second half of the year.
– The Music Market – a one-stop-music hub for recording and distribution, open to artists, venues, managers and industry development organisations. $300,000 is set aside for planning and industry consultation.
A further $10 million is 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.
– $1.48 million for live music venues across the state, for upgrades and improvements from sound-proofing to technical or acoustic enhancements.
– $2 million for for professional development programs for young and emerging musicians. These include mentoring, to help them break into highly competitive local and international markets.
– $40,000 to provide the music industry with ways to boost tourism, through initiatives including AC/DC Lane and Amphlett Lane.
The Palais Theatre in St. Kilda gets $13.4 million towards its $22.5 million worth of repairs but just when this kicks in remains to be seen. City of Port Philip will pitch in $7.5 million but the remaining $4.6 million will come from one of the three companies that have put in bids to run the heritage venue.
