The federal government has reportedly reversed plans to discontinue funding Sounds Australia, the market development initiative aimed at helping young musos spread their music overseas.
As Tone Deaf reported last month, whilst the Australia Council will still proceed with funding Sounds Australia with $300,000 per year between 2017 and 2020, the federal government will no longer do so after 2016.
In a statement, Shadow Minister for the Arts Tony Burke confirmed the Turnbull Government was planning to axe Sounds Australia’s funding at the end of this year, severely impacting their ability to help export Aussie music.
However, The Music now reports that the federal government has done a 180 and will commit to funding Sounds Australia for another four years.
The news was confirmed by Minister for the Arts Mitch Fifield during a press conference at Face The Music in Melbourne today. The Minsiter has reportedly approved $1.16 million in funding across four years.
“We really didn’t think that we were going to get to 50% of the international markets,” Sounds Australia Executive Producer Millie Millgate told the conference, via The Music.
“This news from the Minister just couldn’t have come at a better time. I think the testament is seriously what Australian artists are doing around the world and it starts at events like Face The Music, like BIGSOUND.”
“With all the regional and state and industry body partners and the way that this industry has come together to support our artists and industry and export, has been phenomenal.”
“The support that we’ve had globally has been amazing and to have this current government recognise that and commit to four years is just beyond overwhelming.”
