‘This urgent funding comes at a crucial time’: Live music budget boost welcomed by industry
Among the various treats in yesterday’s Federal Budget was the welcome news that $8.6 million is earmarked to support live music venues and the local festival scene.
The $8.6 million in funding falls under the Revive Live banner, with an aim to bolster Australian live music venues, and festivals showcasing local talent, while also “enhancing accessibility and inclusion” at live music performances.
APRA AMCOS, the peak industry body for songwriters, and ARIA, who represent the labels, have both welcomed this cash injection on behalf of its 119,000 members.
“This urgent funding comes at a crucial time,” says APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.
“Australia has lost more than a quarter of its live music venues and stages across the nation since the pandemic.
“We applaud Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for the Arts Tony Burke for their commitment to music, which also includes ongoing funding for music through the new national music development Music Australia.
“The $8.6 million investment in Revive Live is timely. We know there are many reasons for the continuing closure of iconic venues and festivals across the country: these include substantial increased costs associated with supply chains, soaring public liability insurance premiums, as well as changes in consumer behaviour with cost-of-living pressures.
“Live music venues, especially smaller establishments, find themselves squeezed between rising operational expenses and diminishing profit margins. As a result, many venues are forced to either pass on the increased costs to patrons through higher ticket prices or cut back on live music events altogether. Or worse, they shut their doors and turn off the lights.”
ARIA and PPCA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said: “A direct callout in the Federal Budget to support Australian music is a timely and important step toward establishing sustainable careers for local artist on our shores. The commitment to funding for festivals and live music will support a vital channel for discovery, ensuring our talented up and coming artists – as well as our established artists – get in front of new and larger audiences faster.
“We look forward to seeing the findings of the report from the House of Representatives Standing Committee inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry, particularly to see how additional policy measures can complement initiatives like Revive Live. ARIA and PPCA will continue to work with all levels of government to maximise every opportunity for Australian music to reach its true potential.”
In addition, the Government has announced a $53.8 million investment in two new First Nations Language Centres, $7.9 million to support people with disability to access and participate in the creative arts, $14.5 million for the production of children’s television, and $117.2 million for Australia’s arts training institutions including NIDA and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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