The Music Network to Host Special ‘Music Australia’ Briefing
The federal government’s freshly-minted National Cultural Policy and its implications for the music community will be explored with a special online conversation.
Speakers from the Australia Council and Dr Stephen Arnott, deputy secretary, creative economy and the arts are confirmed for a briefing on the government’s Revive policy, set for Thursday, Feb. 9 and hosted by The Music Network.
Years in the making, the 116-page policy document was presented Monday (Jan. 30) by prime minister Anthony Albanese and arts minister Tony Burke as a blueprint for a resurgent music industry.
Now, with the government’s commitment on the table — and the music industry warmly welcoming it — the work can begin.
Revive represents “a bright moment” for the music sector, and “an overdue one,” Albanese explained.
“You have endured a decade in which opportunity wasn’t so much missed as thrown away. Capped by the years of the pandemic.”
Today we’ve got big news for the Australian arts and entertainment industry – and for fans of the incredible work we produce here.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 30, 2023
We're supporting the industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it creates, after a decade of neglect and missed opportunities. pic.twitter.com/MVV5wjFLFK
Structured around the five interconnected pillars of First Nations First, A Place For Every Story, Centrality of the Artist, Strong Institutions and Reaching the Audience, Albanese’s government is putting money behind the talk — to the tune of $286 million additional funding over the next four years.
Also, Revive establishes a new, autonomous body, Music Australia, which will support and invest in the development of Australian contemporary music, and which begins life with $70 million in funding.
The creation of Music Australia has been high on the music industry’s wish-list, and will sit within a reimaged the Australia Council — now known as Creative Australia.
Among its objectives, Music Australia would grow the market for contemporary music; increase the investment and development of original music; deliver songwriting and recording initiatives in schools; and provide ongoing support for Sounds Australia, which scores a 50% lift.
Its wheels could turn fast; during the launch function at Melbourne’s Esplanade Hotel, Albanese hinted at the launch of Music Australia in July of this year, subject to legislation passing.
Creative Australia will also house the Centre for Entertainment and Arts Workspaces, supporting the recommendations of the Raising Their Voices report.
It will work with artists and employers to raise and maintain safety standards across the industry, supporting the development of codes of conduct and the provision of resources and support to build capacity, particularly in smaller organisations.
Individuals and organisations receiving government funding will be required to adopt and adhere to these standards as a condition of funding.
“The arts,” Albanese points out, “cannot simply be left to those who can afford to do it.”
TMN’s Vivienne Kelly will facilitate the “Music Australia Briefing” on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 2.15–3.00pm AEDT.