QMusic gets funding injection from QLD Govt

Queensland’s peak music association QMusic – the organisers of this week’s sold out BIGSOUND conference and showcase in Brisbane – are one of the major recipients of the Palaszczuk State Government’s generosity towards the arts.

Under its registered name Queensland Music Network Incorporated, Q Music has received $1.4 million over four years.

It was part of Arts Queensland’s Organisations Fund, which has allocated $30.55 million over four years to 39 organisations.

QMusic’s programs include skills development and networking schemes, the Queensland Music Awards, and the Queensland Song of the Year awards. It is also a member of AMIN (Australian Music Industry Network), made up of various state music organisations, to ensure that Queensland has a national music voice.

Of the 39 recipients, of the Organisations Fund, 56% of these target young people, 62% target regional audiences and 82% reach the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Also getting funding, of $400,000, was the Queensland Folk Federation Inc which runs the massive Woodford Folk Festival. It draws over 100,000 patrons over six days over the Christmas break and contributes $21 million to the Queensland economy.

Bleached Arts Ltd, which runs the Bleach* Festival, received $600,000. The event runs for 16 days each spring covering music, theatre, dance, visual arts and outdoor events.

Two Brisbane venues involved in contemporary music included Metro Arts ($1.2 million) and Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre ($400,000).

Queensland Premier and Minister for the Arts, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said, “The total funding of $30.55 million represents annual funding of $7.63 million, as compared to annual funding of $7.06 million for the $21.18 million Organisations Fund 2014–2016.

“This is an annual increase of $572,000 per year over four years directly to the small to medium arts and cultural sector.

“This investment demonstrates my government’s firm commitment to fund more organisations over a longer period, providing greater certainty and a secure base for these organisations to realise strategic plans, grow and attract other income.”

The Premier added that the decision to provide four-year funding was to provide more certainty for organisations to deliver long-term initiatives and to attract other funding.

The Premier noted that the decision to provide four-year funding meant more certainty for organisation to help them deliver long-term arts initiatives across the state, and leverage State Government investment to attract other funding.

The Queensland Arts Advocacy Group congratulated the Government’s support for the arts sector. But it also reminded it that its current investment in small to medium arts organisations is $1.50 per head of population, compared to $4.70 in Victoria and $4.17 in Western Australia.