The McGowan Government today announced a new $1 million open access grants program, which will strike a chord with Western Australia’s contemporary music artists.
Opening next month, the Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program will be open to all contemporary Western Australian musicians and music industry professionals. It will assist homegrown contemporary music artists with projects that enable them to produce and promote their work – building links nationally and internationally.
It will also aim to improve the representation of Aboriginal, regional, cultural and gender diverse music artists in the industry.
Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman made the announcement at Perth venue Lucy’s Love Shack, alongside established and emerging local contemporary musicians who welcomed the news.
Grants will be available in two categories, depending on the amount requested. Music artists seeking up to $15,000 in funding can apply throughout the year, starting from January 8, 2019.
For applications between $15,000 and $60,000, three major grant rounds will be offered with the first set to open on January 22, 2019.
The grants program is part of the Contemporary Music Fund, a McGowan Government election commitment, which will inject a total of $3 million into WA’s contemporary music sector over the next four years. $2 million in targeted initiatives will be announced in early 2019.
The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. For more information, visit https://www.dca.wa.gov.au/funding
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program will give emerging music artists a boost in our rocking local music industry and more opportunities to be heard on a bigger stage.
“For contemporary musicians this announcement will be music to their ears, knowing that this opportunity is waiting for them in the new year.
“This announcement is another example of the McGowan Government meeting its election commitment to grow our local entertainment industry, creating jobs and a vibrant WA in the process.”
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
“Grants from this program will go towards supporting Western Australian musicians to do what they love and help activate Perth’s nightlife in the process.
“Western Australia has fostered some serious talent in the past and with this program now underway, I am excited to see the next generation of talent come to the fore.”
