Federal Office of Music provides further backing for venue-based music

March 31, 2023

The Federal Office of Music has this week announced that $2.5 million in targeted funding is available under the latest round of the Live Music Australia Program.

The funding will assist live music venues as they rebuild following the impacts of the pandemic, as the Australian Government answers the calls by stakeholders for more support for venues hosting professionally-staged, original home-grown live music.

In a media release introducing the Round Six funding, the Office of Music advised "like many other industries, live music venue owners and staff were hit hard during the pandemic as they were forced to close their doors during lockdowns.

"While those days are over, those long months have made a huge dent in the finances of those venues, with many sadly never able to reopen.

"The funding aims to sustain these venues, allowing them to employ skilled professionals, improve capacity, and build a stronger touring circuit for home-grown and international artists."

To receive funding, applicants need to demonstrate their commitment to hosting original Australian live music and its professional delivery.

The Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy Revive recognises the importance of contemporary music through the establishment of Music Australia, as a part of the new Creative Australia. Music Australia will provide direct support to the Australian music industry to grow including through strategic initiatives and industry partnerships, research, skills development and export promotion.

Applications close Wednesday 26th April 2023.

Click here to apply for details and to apply for funding under Round Six of the Live Music Australia Program.

Click here to download Revive: A Place for Every Story, a Story for Every Place, an outline of what the Australian Government is doing to support Australian contemporary music.

Image: Old Fashioned Nights, Henry Wagons performs. Credit: Craig Wilson.

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