Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu

Victoria Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu

Grants Bring Music To Our Ears

Victor P Taffa

Victorian musicians, bands and music organisations are gearing up to make, share and promote local music in the coming year, with support from Arts Victoria’s Contemporary and Live Music Development Program.

Premier and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu today announced grants totalling more than $350,000 for 47 new music projects.

“Our music scene is a source of great pride for Victorians and, as recent research confirms, it makes an extraordinary economic, social and cultural contribution to our state. Local musicians are at the very heart of it, and this program aims to help them build and advance their careers.” Mr. Baillieu said.

“The latest grant recipients span the spectrum of contemporary music – rock, jazz, country, folk, electronic, even Bollywood – including both established names and up-and-comers.” Mr. Baillieu said.

The Contemporary and Live Music Development program offers grants for recording and promotion, touring and professional travel, and sector development for programs that support, promote and develop the industry more broadly.

Supported projects include:

• The recording of demos and albums by acts including rock group The Diamond Valley Panthers, folk-pop group Hoy and electronic artists Wooshie and Galapagoose;
• A national tour by jazz ensemble Dimon Brunton Quartet, a UK tour by country-folk artist Carus Thompson and a European and UK tour for punk band Kings Cannons;
• Pushsongs 2012, a program of songwriting mentoring and recording opportunities for emerging songwriters, presented by The Push;
• Live to air performance series on radio stations PBS FM and RRR FM.

“It’s great to see a significant number of debut projects and demo recordings featured in this round, showing that Victoria doesn’t just have a strong music history, but we can also look forward to a strong future.” Mr. Baillieu said.

Applications for the next round of grants through the Contemporary and Live Music Development program close on 12 March 2012. For more information, visit arts.vic.gov.au/musicgrants

A full list of recipients can be viewed at www.arts.vic.gov.au