As the global music industry continues to figure out its own future, artists continue to figure out how they’re going to make a living in the meantime, since album sales clearly aren’t budging and touring can be an expense in itself.
Besides living on the road and selling merch whilst doing so, artists have been able to find some alternative revenue streams to bank roll their career, including syncing, with some artists even making a killing by working closely with their publisher.
Closer to home, Australian artists have also been able to fund their tours, recordings, and other ventures thanks to grants. Some 45 Victorian musicians and music initiatives were recently awarded almost $500,000 in funding via the Victorian government’s Music Works Grants program.
Grant recipients include programs like The Push’s Girls Rock!, which provides a five-day intensive music camp for girls and gender non-conforming youth, encouraging their participating in the Australian music industry, as well as initiatives like the 2016 LISTEN Conference.
There are also quite a few recognisable Australian musicians who’ve received grants to help them take their music abroad or complete recordings, such as Shepparton-born rapper Briggs, who nabbed $7,000 to travel to New Zeland and meet with writers, producers, Red Bull Music NZ, and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Ainslie Wills will receive $11k for a showcase tour of the UK, Ben Wright Smith $12k for a Victorian tour including metropolitan and regional shows, Emma Donovan will put $25k towards her first international tour, and Nattali Rize has been awarded $15k for a three-month international tour.
Soul powerhouse Meg Mac was awarded $15k to fund a North American tour including performances at the Governor’s Ball, Hangout Music Festival, and Field Trip Music Festival, whilst Dan Sultan was given $8,362 for a 14-date tour of the USA.
You can check out the full list of grant recipients via the Creative Victoria website and read up on all the other exciting initiatives and artist that received funding, like the $25k that went to Amateur Hour, Laura Imbruglia’s web-based music variety show.
