Here’s how music ranked in this year’s Australia Council funding

Music ranks number three in Australia Council funding, according to a 2017-18 report that the organisation tabled in Parliament yesterday.

It spent $189.3 million in funding the various art forms, helping 762 individual artists and 609 organisations reach an audience of 22.8 million.

Theatre made up 20% of support, followed by visual arts at 18% and music at 13%.

In terms of spend, music had $10.3 million allocated during the period, up from $9.5 million in 2016-17 and $7.6 million in 2015-16.

In the latest figures, $15.5 million was spent on theatre projects and $13.7 million on visual arts.

Music received more funding than other sectors as dance, literature, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and multi-media, among others.

For the first time, the report features case studies that illustrate the impact of Council’s support, demonstrating why arts matter to individual and community wellbeing, social cohesion, Australia’s international reputation, and the future of work.

According to the report, “International interest in Australian music continues to expand, and the Australian musical diaspora is strong.

“In 2017–18 we supported collaborations between Australian musicians on different continents, Australian artists establishing themselves in new centres, international artistic exchanges, and Australian success in international charts.

“We have also secured a new scholarship for women in music in partnership with the Harding Miller Foundation.”

The report noted that 63% of grants went to female talents.

“This is particularly encouraging in light of research findings showing that on average female artists earn 25% less than male artists and earn 30% less from their creative work.”

Applications from regional Australia represented 20% of applications received and approved in 2017-18.

Australian artists and organisations reach an international audience of 4.7 million in 2017–18 – almost double the audience reach of the previous year.

The report continued, “More than 10,000 new artworks; strong international success; positive outcomes for female artists; and increased recognition of First Nations arts are among the highlights of the Australia Council’s investment in the arts that contributes to the individual lives of all Australians.”

The cover of the report featured Darwin electro-soul singer-songwriter VASSY, who’s broken into charts in the world and worked with big name collaborators.

“An Australia Council grant funded VASSY’s first demo tape, opening doors to her future success,” the Council stated, as an example of what investment in the arts can achieve.

See the full report here.