Music Australia Launches Export Development Fund To Boost Aussie Artists Overseas

Music Australia has announced the launch of the Export Development Fund, a new initiative the organisation says will “play an important role in expediting the profile and success stories of Australia’s future A-list artists and musicians”.

The fund targets Australian artists, performers, composers, songwriters and producers looking to break the international market, and will offer support to acts of all levels of stature, from the emerging to the breakthrough and established. It’s available to all creatives who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, and are currently working on an active music project.

Particular areas of focus, as outlined in a press release by Music Australia (itself a subsidiary of Creative Australia), include bolstering the presence of Australian artists on international festivals, expand the number of headline tours that Aussie artists are able to embark on overseas, and strengthen collaborations between local acts and those hailing from other countries.

It’ll also strive to boost global recognition of Australia’s music scene by campaigning for nominations at global awards shows, airplay on international radio stations, and appearances on television and DTC video streaming platforms.

Central to the funding initiative is a bespoke grant program covering three key areas: International Performance and Touring (offering up to $25,000 in matched funding), International Professional and Artistic Development (up to $15,000), and International Audience and Market Development ($10,000).

In a formal statement, Music Australia Director Millie Millgate said of the initiative: “Australian artists and music businesses can rarely be sustained by a domestic market alone. Committing funds for export will crucially assist with long term career sustainability and enable music businesses access to varied additional revenue streams across multiple territories, bolstering the overall economic performance of the sector.

“By delivering a dedicated funding scheme for Australian music export, Music Australia will play an important role in expediting the profile and success stories of Australia’s future A-list artists and musicians, Grammy winners, festival headliners and celebrated music professionals.”

Millgate will host a live Q&A on the Export Development Fund at 12:30pm AEDT on Tuesday March 12 – head here to register for the webinar.