Australia Council’s latest funding round has resulted in a high success rate for female artists, with 56% of grants awarded to women or groups including women.

Sharing in the $6.4 million funding in the October core grants are 118 individual artists, 27 groups, and 51 arts organisations. They include 2017 J Award winner Stella Donnelly ($18,400) for her stints at SXSW in the US and The Great Escape in the UK; Middle Kids ($24,095) for their US and Europe tour; Jen Cloher ($20,000) for her biggest international tour to date through Jan and Feb; and Kardajala Kirridarra ($40,000) to create a long form video.

Watch Kardajala Kirridarra’s clip for ‘Warmala (Young Girls Song)’ below:

Australia Council received a total of 1,423 applications, which were assessed by a panel of expert peers from across the country.

The strong success rate for female artists follows Australia Council’s research report Making Art Work, which (surprising no one) found that on average female artists earn 25% less than male artists. It also found female artists earn 30% less from their creative work.

The October core grants recipients include:

·        Stella Donnelly $18,400 for showcase performances at SxSW and The Great Escape

·        Middle Kids $24,095 for SxSW showcase and US & Europe Album Tour

·        Gordi $15,500 To showcase at SxSW and tour North America

·        Benji Lewis $14,524 to Showcase at SxSW and tour USA

·        Jen Cloher $20,000 Tour UK, Europe and USA in Jan/Feb 2018

·        Carla Del Forno $15,657 for a North American Tour May 2018

·        WAFIA $23,209 for USA touring and recording

·        Kardajala Kirridarra $40,000 to create a long form video work supporting their new album

·        Liz Stringer $15,944 to record new album in Toronto Canada

·        Tim Shiel $5,747 for travel to Norway and the UK representing the Spirit Level catalogue

·        Michael Blackmann for Chapter Music $36,877 to support new releases in 2018 from Montero, Totally Mild, Twerps, Laura Jean, The Goon Sax and Gregor

·        Hope St Recordings $47,164 to support new releases in 2018/19 from Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, The Cactus Channel, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, The Do Yo Thangs, and Zillanova

·        Music NT $97,000 towards Music NTs 2018 program of activity including the Bush Bands Program & National Indigenous Music Awards

PODCAST: Inside the world of Jen Cloher – Label co-operator and self-managed artist

Australia Council CEO Tony Grybowski said:

“Many of the projects funded include international components which will expand artistic and commercial opportunities for Australian artists and strengthen our international reputation for producing great art and artists, as well as sharing Australian stories with global audiences.”

In addition to the $6.4 million in core grants, approximately $3.3 million was invested in other targeted programs and initiatives including the Contemporary Music Touring Program. The CMTP provides travel support of up to $15000 for contemporary music artists and their manager for tours in Australia that include performances in regional and remote areas.

Contemporary Music Touring Program Grant recipients

·        Black Rock Band $15,000 to support a national tour

·        Deborah Suckling $11,400 to tour The Soldiers Wife project nationally in 2018

·        Tia Gostelow $15,000 national tour in support of her debut album

·        Country Arts WA $30,000 towards the tri-state remote indigenous community touring initiative “Sand Tracks”

·        Tracey Griffiths for William Crighton & Gawurra  $15,000 for The Earth Meets The Sky National Tour

Applications for the next grants round close on Tuesday 6th February 2018.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.