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.
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