The Malinauskas Labor Government is investing nearly $1 million to boost live music venues and support South Australia’s music industry.
As part of our ongoing efforts to support live music venues through our See it LIVE program, we are providing $850,000 for new grants to support dedicated live music venues.
The Malinauskas Government promised at the election to create live music grants to support this important South Australian industry and we continue to deliver.
Eligible venues will be able to apply for grants of up to $60,000 to host live music, with a focus on original content to attract patrons and create employment opportunities for local musicians, lighting and sound techs.
To be eligible, venues must be a dedicated live music venue, who regularly host live music performances, and have a permanent stage with live music as a significant part of their operations.
We will also be investing a further $50,000 to bring more live music across the state during the 2024 Adelaide Fringe. Grants of up to $2500 will be made available to venues to host live music performances as part of the Fringe’s “Fringe It Live” program.
In addition, the Malinauskas Government will be providing successful venues with free access to business support services through the Office for Small and Family Business.
As part of our $14 million Small Business Strategy released last year, we have a number of resources designed to support business owners to successfully run and grow their businesses.
In recognition of how challenging the past few years have been for the industry, we will provide a free workshop on business fundamentals, a one-on-one consultation to assess their businesses needs along with an opportunity to secure a mentor.
The grants program opens today and more information can be found at: https://www.seeitlive.sa.gov.au
As put by Andrea Michaels
We know how challenging the past few years have been for our live music industry and the Malinauskas Government is continuing to support our incredible local venues and musicians.
We are investing nearly $1 million to bring more live music to the state through new grants designed to attract patrons and create employment opportunities for musicians and production support staff such as sound techs with a focus on showcasing original music.
I encourage live music venues to apply for these grants as well as take advantage of free access to our business support services so they can continue to share extraordinary music with South Australians.
As put by Jo O’Callaghan, Adelaide Fringe Executive Director
Music is a huge part of the Adelaide Fringe each year, and this year is no exception with music shows making up 22% of the program.
The open-access nature of Fringe offers a way for South Aussie music venues and musicians to bring their shows and venues to new audiences using the Fringe platform, no matter where they are in the state, and every year we see people discovering and rediscovering music and music venues as a result.
It’s great to see this support from the Malinauskas Government specific to music. We know that in the Fringe context these grants will encourage more venues and more artists to use the Fringe platform and put their shows in front of our vast audience of one in every two South Australians, which will have year-long impact on those who participate, and assist in building a sustainable music scene for SA.
As put by Christine Schloithe, Chief Executive of Music SA
Times have never been tougher for independent live music venues and artists than what they are right now as the music ecosystem continues to recover from years of disruption and uncertainty.
This funding injection provides a lifeline for live and local venues, artists and audiences at a very difficult time for South Australia’s music industry.
MusicSA commends the Minister and the Malinauskas Labor Government for this See It Live program investment.
As put by Symon Jarowyj, Grace Emily Hotel owner
This is an extremely beneficial outcome and I’m thankful to the Malinauskas Government for providing this grant opportunity for grassroots venues.
We’re thankful the Government acknowledges the importance of grassroots venues as well as the broader musical ecosystem including skilled support personnel such as sound and technical staff.
This kind of support demonstrates why Adelaide was chosen for its UNESCO City of Music status.
As put by Joe Hay, UNESCO City of Music General Manager
UNESCO Adelaide City of Music welcomes the State Government’s support for our small to medium live music venues.
These venues are essential to the health and vitality of Adelaide’s dynamic music culture.
The Government’s support will go a long way in helping venues and artists navigate some of the most difficult conditions faced by the sector in a generation.
