The Victorian Labor government have just announced the details of their new Music Works Grants program, a $12.2 million funding project for contemporary music and related businesses, providing support to musicians, music managers, and industry organisations.

The Music Works Grants program was officially announced by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley yesterday. In a statement, the government indicated the grants would be used to create, develop, and showcase Victorian contemporary music.

According to the Creative Victoria website, Music Works Grants will be used to support strategic professional development and career opportunities for Victorian contemporary music artists, musicians, performers, and associated industry professionals where funding or access to resources are a barrier.

There’s also a view to increasing the capacity and market share of the Victorian contemporary music industry, strategically investing in economic growth and long term sustainability for the Victorian contemporary music industry, and funding projects that nurture creative talent and strengthen Victoria’s unique and diverse creative culture.

According to Minister Foley, the grants program will run with three main categories identified for funding:

• Creating content: the creation and recording of new original musical content;
• Building capacity: support for industry stakeholders to offer career development opportunities and to build industry capability through workshops, masterclasses, industry conferences and professional development opportunities; and
• Connecting to markets: support for activities that increase the industry’s capacity to connect with new audiences including support for regional, national and international touring activities.

The program will open for applications on Wednesday, 15th July and close at 5pm Wednesday, 12th August 2015. Projects supported during this round can start from 15th November 2015. Applicants are encouraged to speak to Creative Victoria’s music grants team prior to applying.

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Funding from between $2,500 to $75,000 will be considered for music projects across contemporary genres. All requests must include an appropriate level of cash and/or in-kind contributions to the project. Check out the Creative Victoria website for more details.

As Tone Deaf previously reported, the latest federal budget included significant changes to the way federal arts grants are given. Considering the turmoil currently engulfing the arts grants sector at the federal level, it seems Australian artists need all the help they can get from state governments.

It’s important to note, however, there are still some winners when it comes to federal arts grants. As Tone Deaf noted last month, the Australia Council recently revealed their latest funding round supported 273 projects, an investment of $9.1 million, with $2.6 million going into music alone.

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