One more for the road: three states offer more live music funding

South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales have offered more funding support for their live sectors.

South Australia’s Marshall government delivered a further $820,000 of grants to venues and artists through its Music Development Office (MDO).

Minister for innovation and skills David Pisoni said: “There’s no doubt that restrictions on the number of punters permitted in venues, on dancing and on drinking have impacted on the ability of musicians and venues to make ends meet.

“The good news is our outstanding success in containing COVID-19 has enabled a return to a level of normality that has made South Australia a leader in easing restrictions nationally and internationally.

“Grants of up to $25,000 have been awarded to 28 metropolitan and regional venues that host live music as a reimbursement of the cost of hiring musicians, sound and lighting technicians.”

Recipients included the Wheatsheaf, Lion Arts Factory, the Grace Emily, Jive, Sugar, Fat Controller Club, Nexus Arts, the Metro, Crown & Anchor, Coopers Alehouse at Wallaroo and the Barn at Wombat Flat.

Wheatsheaf Hotel publican Jade Flavell said: “While venues are operating with capacity restrictions and ongoing uncertainty, this targeted support will help us continue to do what we do best; provide a stage, a wage and an audience for live music in SA.”

Arts Queensland announced two new funding streams, the Touring Queensland Fund and Touring Queensland Quick, which will replace the Playing Queensland Fund and are open to applications.

The Touring Queensland Fund supports tours to and from regional Queensland. It’s up to $20,000 for artists in residency projects, up to $150,000 for up to two tours and up to $200,000 for touring programs of three or more tours.

There are three rounds per year. Round one closes on March 15.

Quick Response offers up to $20,000 for Queensland-based artists, arts organisations and presenters to respond flexibly and quickly to emerging venue and community demand or changes in touring schedules.

The NSW Government is also calling for applications from individual artists, arts and cultural workers, practitioners and organisations for Round Two of Create NSW’s 2020/2021 Arts and Cultural Funding Program.

Round Two covers ‘Annual Organisation’ to deliver activities to a diverse audience in a 12-month period, ‘Project’ for which up to $60,000 is available to build partnerships with communities and organisations that will help build audiences, and ‘Creative Koori’ for First Nations activities.