Sounds Australia get fresh funding to support home-grown acts

ARIA has committed to providing Sounds Australia with fresh funding in 2020.

TMN Understands that the new funding will match an increased contribution from longtime funding partner PPCA.

Sounds Australia is the country’s national music export program, working to raise the profile of local contemporary music in international music markets.

The organisation – which was established a decade ago – says export dollars for ARIA members had increased by almost 30% over the past two years.

“The addition of ARIA as a major funding partner as we head into Sounds Australia’s second decade truly reflects the significance of export and the commitment the Australian music industry is collectively making…,” said Sounds Australia executive producer, Millie Millgate.

ARIA and Sounds Australia also said they share the goal of Australian artists making up 5% of the global music market by 2030, which Goldman Sachs predicts will be worth over $50 billion.

ARIA’s commitment to ensuring more Australian music is seen and heard internationally also extended to this year’s ARIA Awards.

Dan Rosen, ARIA’s chief executive, points out the opportunities for domestic acts on the world stage has never been greater.

“The music business is increasingly a global business, and Sounds Australia plays a pivotal role in helping our local artists and labels reach audiences around the world,” says Rosen.

“ARIA and PPCA are proud to be working with the incredible Sounds Australia team as we take Aussie music to the world in 2020 and beyond.

“The opportunities for global careers are greater than ever, and I look forward to seeing more Australian artists and labels achieving success on the international stage in the decade to come.”

In addition to its founding partners the Australian Council for the Arts and APRA AMCOS, financial investment has also been made by the Department of Communications and the Arts, DFAT, Creative Victoria, Arts SA, Arts Queensland and Create NSW, along with peak publisher’s organisation AMPAL.