Over 40 music projects get Australia Council funding

The latest round of Australia Council For The Arts grants sees funding go to over 40 music projects, while a number of associations also making the list to ensure they can continue their programs.

These are part of a total of $5.7 million investment in 177 projects from the June round for acts, groups and small to medium arts organisations.

These include $32,090 towards The Jezabels for a North American tour, $17,082 towards Shane Nicholson to showcase at the Americana Festival in Nashville, $30,450 for CW Stoneking’s 41-date US tour.

$22,023 goes to Alex Cameron from Seekae to tour the US and the UK, and $24,261 for Julia Jacklin for an extensive run of shows through Europe, the UK and the US.

The Necks receive $17,876 towards a Japanese tour, Mere Women $10,440 to write and record their third album, and $18,470 for FOREVR to record a new album.

Other grants will help Briggs travel to Los Angeles to write an album, Tash Sultana to play her current shows in the UK and US, The Grygorian Brothers to head back to Europe, and Woodes to showcase internationally.

Pedal steel player Seamus O’Sullivan is funded to undertake mentorships and study in the US as will producer & engineer Anna Laverty to undertake professional development in the USA and UK.

Brisbane artist and label manager Deb Suckling’s $47,150 is to deliver a six-month writing and mentoring program to young female artists in regional Queensland.

An injection of $100,000 allows the National Live Music Office to continue its program of supporting the development of live music opportunities nationally through 2017.

Darwin’s Skinnyfish Music gets $23,450 towards the recording and touring of its Reimagining project, remixing work from its back catalogue.

The Brisbane Ethnic & Multicultural Arts Centre gets $99,275 for its 2017 program of presentations, touring, skills and audience development.

The Sydney Improvised Music Association Inc (SIMA) will use its $50,000 to continue showcasing experimental and new music. Gondwana Choirs receive $33,928. The Victorian Arts Centre Trust receives $34,986 for its acclaimed programs at the Arts Centre in Melbourne.

A number of major festivals will also sustain courtesy of the Australia Council grants.

$60,000 goes to Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, $27,200 to WAM for the successful WAM festival and Pro Musica Inc gets $61,000 for the Canberra International Music Festival.

This contemporary music funding comes along with $640,000 through the Australia Council Fellowships program; $343,772 through Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS) individual grants; and $929,928 through Playing Australia national regional touring grants.

Council CEO Tony Grybowski says that while this round was highly competitive, there continues to be an impressive level of diversity, innovation and collaboration supported through its grant programs.

“Almost 1,200 applications were received for the June round from small to medium arts organisations, and individuals and groups. Consistently strong and highly contested, 177 projects will be funded through the fourth round of the revised grants model.”

To see the June grant results, go to:https://online.australiacouncil.gov.au/ords/GrantsList.

Applications are now open for the next grants round, which closes on October 4, 2016.

For more information go to: www.australiacouncil.gov.au.