PPCA and Australia Council reveal 2021 recording grant recipients

The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) and the Australia Council for the Arts have announced the latest recipients of their joint grant partnership program.

Ten artists have been selected to receive $15,000 as part of the latest round of funding to finance the creation of a new body of work, with the Australia Council providing an additional $75,000 to the grant pool to double the number of projects eligible for funding in response to the pandemic.

The joint program has provided $657,000 in creative grants to 50 different Australian artists since 2013, with notable past recipients including Courtney Barnett, Mia Dyson, KUCKA and Birdz.

This year’s recipients include the likes of Tim Shiel, The Pierce Brothers, Charlene Collins, Nathan May and Matthew Hu, with Brooke Wilkie, Rebeca Amani, Briana Clark, Chelsea Wilson and Delali Zevon also receiving funding.

PPCA CEO Annabelle Herd congratulated each successful grant recipient and made note of the generosity of the Australia Council for donating an extra $75,000 to this year’s funding pool.

“I am so pleased to be able to congratulate an incredible 10 artists on being awarded grants through PPCA’s partnership with Australia Council, who I would like to thank again for their continued assistance,” Herd remarked.

“It’s an immense point of pride for PPCA to be able to continue to not only champion our wealth of home-grown musical talent, but to increase that support in such a difficult time for artists.”

Kirsty River, head of music for the Australia Council, highlighted the diversity of this year’s recipients and celebrated their resilience after what’s been another challenging year for the sector.

“Over the past year, as the pandemic curtailed opportunities for live performance, recorded music has connected us, uplifted and supported us through challenges,” River said.

“We are particularly pleased to see the breadth of artists supported, reflecting the diversity of Australian musical talent and storytelling, and can’t wait to see what they produce.”