Music Australia Reveals Latest Recipients Of Its Export Development Fund

Music Australia has continued its goal of helping local artists achieve their own goals, with over a million dollars being invested in scores of Aussie music projects as part of the latest round of its Export Development Fund.

The Export Development Fund is a matched funding initiative designed to elevate emerging, breakthrough, and established acts into the international market while fostering sustainable and thriving careers. The program focuses on three key pathways: Performance and Touring, Professional and Artistic Development, and Market and Audience Development.

The Export Development Fund has been crucial in allowing various Aussie creatives to actively export their art. Since its inception, it has successfully supported over 470 projects, highlighting the importance of a dedicated contemporary music export program in Australia.

Earlier this year, 78 projects received a total of $997,787.95 as part of its fifth round of funding, with names such as Angie McMahon, Ella Hooper, Emily Wurramara, and more benefiting from an influx of cash.

Now, following the closure of applications for its sixth round back in July, a total of 65 Australian artists, producers, composers and songwriters have been announced as the recipients of a collective $1,010,688, with the money going on to help support career-defining projects and support a range of international activities designed to expand global reach and strengthen long-term career sustainability.

Some of the highlights of the latest round of funding include Ball Park Music, who are set to embark on their first European and UK tour in a decade; Ocean Alley, who will embark upon their first headline tour of Latin America; and genre-shifting singer songwriter Samuel Gaskin, who will visit Aotearoa/New Zealand for a two-week songwriting residency and cultural exchange with Te Kura Huia and mentorship from Jen Cloher.

Others include Turkish Australian stage and screen composer Ayda Akbal, who will undertake an International Screen Music Mentorship in Los Angeles; ARIA-Award winning musician Georgia Mooney, who will record her second album in the UK; and Walmatjarri Elder, blues and gospel singer-songwriter, teacher, mentor, human rights advocate, political activist, and 2024 Australian Music Prize winner Olive Knight (Kankawa Nagarra), who will embark on her debut European tour.

Applications for the next round of the Export Development Fund will close on Tuesday, September 16th, with full information available via the Creative Australia website.