Contemporary music a winner in Vic budget with sizeable creative investment

The Victorian state government continues its strong support of contemporary music in its latest budget – and one which is seen by the sector to provide solid growth over the next four years.

A total of $225.5 million is allocated over four years in investment for individual creative practitioners, small to medium organisations and businesses and flagship institutions.

Of that, $14 million over four years will support Victoria Live, “a celebration of live music” that will take place in Melbourne and regional Victoria of free and ticketed events.

A new winter festival will be set up in 2020 as “a global showcase for local talent”.

Combining the creativity of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and mass popularity of White Night Melbourne, it will “celebrate the state’s thriving arts and culture and food and wine scenes, providing a significant midyear boost to tourism” and run across multiple venues.

A $6.4 million package will continue to support a range of programs for independent artists and small organisations including the Music Works grants programs; creative research and development program, the Creators Fund, and initiatives supporting regional activity.

Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria, told TMN that contemporary music fared well despite the budget being tight due to a fall in stamp duty from the housing market slump and a focus on infrastructure,

“There was direct investment through the $14 million Victoria Live Festival, which will take place across the state in 2020, the continuation of the Music Works program which supports contemporary artists to perform and record music, and the Music Under Wings mentoring and development program.

“However, the next phase of Music Works will be a smaller investment than what the industry received over the last four years.

“The 2014 Music Works, which included support for the upcoming Music Market hub at the Collingwood Arts Precinct and the establishment of the Australian Music Vault, was worth $22.4 million.

“This Music Works budget will be part of an overall commitment to the Creative State of $6.4 million.”

Donovan also noted. “Music will also benefit from commitments to music education in schools, the redevelopment of the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, the AsiaTOPA Festival, Dance Massive, regional tourism and projects, the Creators Fund small business and inbound trade missions.

‘’Music benefits the whole society and economy across different portfolios, so while Music Victoria is thrilled that music will receive direct support through Music Works and Victoria Live, we also look forward to working with the government to ensure the music industry can add value to other departments including education, trade, tourism and small business.

‘’When combined with the Federal Coalition Government’s recent $30 million investment into the Australian music industry, the Victorian music industry is in a strong position to continue to grow over the next four years.’’

Elsewhere $6.2 million goes to support local screen production, including film, television and games development.

The $225.5m figure is in addition to Creative Victoria’s core funding.

Last year the results of the second ever Melbourne Live Music Census saw the volume of live gigs rise by 19% over a 12 month period to 73,000, with 112,000 punters going out to experience live music every Saturday night.