"Contemporary Music Boost"
0000-00-00 until 0000-00-00
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Sydney, AU, AU Australia

Australian contemporary music is set to be propelled into the national and international music scene following a range of exciting new funding opportunities unveiled today. As part of the Federal Governments $10 million contemporary music package, the initiatives are aimed at strengthening Australias independent music sector. The new funds will enable contemporary musicians, independent record labels and managers to better market their work locally and internationally, Federal Arts Minister, Peter McGauran said.

The three-year $1.8 million package will be administered by the Australia Council, the Commonwealth Governments arts funding and advisory body. It includes:

Association of Independent Record Labels (AIR)-$700,000 to target local and international markets for Australian music releases;

International Managers Forum (Australia ) [IMF]-$765,000 to develop effective marketing and business skills for music managers, including targeting major regional centres;

Pacific Circle Music Expo 2000 [PCM]-$90,000 to present industry seminars/ showcases for emerging bands and to help young musicians and managers from around Australia to attend the event; and

Musica Viva Australia-$300,000 to help promote the cream of Australias contemporary music ensembles internationally.

Australian contemporary music has a well deserved world-class reputation-and todays announcement will pave the way for even greater successes on the local and international levels, Mr McGauran said.

It follows the recent announcement of the first round of the Federal Governments

$1 million Contemporary Music Touring Program to help emerging artists develop new audiences and tour to regional and rural communities.

These initiatives demonstrate the Federal Governments ongoing support for our contemporary music industry, Mr McGauran concluded.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Australia

Other Important Exhibitions in Australia