ACT government invests in Canberra’s live music scene

The ACT government has invested $108,000 in a program that will strengthen Canberra’s live music sector.

This will be through capacity building programs in artist management, recording, touring, and promoting, as well as kick-starting more all-ages gigs in the region.

Minister for the arts and community events Gordon Ramsay said,“We want to encourage a dynamic culture and improve vitality in our city and this program is a step in the right direction to achieve this.”

The scheme will be lead by peak music association MusicACT.

Some years ago MusicACT and Live Music Office worked together on a 25-point action plan Cool Little Capital on how to build the territory’s live music sector.

It also identified how many sections of government could work together to effectively benefit the scene.

MusicACT president Dave Caffery said, “We are so excited to be taking the lead on this project.

“MusicACT aims to create support systems to guide the careers of all musicians, no matter their age or experience and we can’t wait to get started.”

The program is part of a 2016 government promise to strengthen the local music industry.

Last month, in its 2018/19 budget, the ACT government’s investment in the arts included $1.5 million for upgrades to the Canberra Theatre Centre and $1.2 million for early scoping and design on a new Canberra Theatre Complex which can host a larger range of local, national and international events.

Other initiatives included:

A further $2 million for the Major Events Fund, which boosts visitation to Canberra by attracting significant events.

$800,000 to make the Reconciliation in the Park festival an annual event to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage on the Reconciliation Day public holiday.

$567,000 over four years for a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Officer to improve engagement with communities, arts and cultures

$145,000 to increase training opportunities for the stage and theatre industry by delivering a new Certificate III in Live Production and Services in a partnership between Canberra Theatre Centre and the Canberra Institute of Technology.

$2.4 million to boost Canberra’s events calendar by supporting more significant events over the next three years.

This includes establishing the Canberra Arts Biennial to showcase local, national and international artists and deliver a new festival focused on innovation, design, culture, coding and gaming.