106 Victorian live music venues to receive $9 million in urgent funding
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21.09.2020

106 Victorian live music venues to receive $9 million in urgent funding

Northcote Social Club
Northcote Social Club - photo by Ian Laidlaw
Words by Kate Streader

The Victorian government has revealed the first round of funding and grants as part of its $90 million investment into the local music industry.

The state government has revealed the first instalment of its plan to support local live music venues which have been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing $9 million in funding as part of a new targeted initiative.

The Victorian Live Music Venues program will provide urgent funding to 106 live music venues across the state, including Northcote Social Club, 170 Russell, Bendigo Hotel, The Corner Hotel, The Tote and more to help them cover urgent overheads and implement COVIDSafe measures for reopening.

The Victorian government will also aid venues in reopening and hosting events, providing employment opportunities for artists, promoters, technicians and more and offsetting costs while patron capacity remains capped.

Music venues will also receive protection beyond the pandemic as part of a state-first planning policy which will allow councils statewide to identify significant live music venues and their impact on the community, giving councils increased power in protecting local venues as part of any new proposal.

The government will further support the music sector with the Victorian Music Industry Recovery program which will provide grants of between $4,000 and $50,000 to help artists, managers, promoters, bookers, road crew and other workers create new work opportunities and develop a COVIDSafe way of operating.

Ten music organisations and peak bodies will also receive $1.2 million in funding to help them deliver professional and business development programs to a range of Victorian music industry professionals.

The grants and urgent funding are part of a $90 million investment to help the music industry survive the impacts of the pandemic.

For more information, visit the Creative Victoria website

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