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Music Works Returns To Deliver Grants To Victorian Artists And Workers

Tyler Jenke

After being removed from last year's State Budget, Music Works grants have returned, offering $5,000 activation grants and project grants for between $10,000 and $40,000.

Alex Lahey
Alex Lahey(Credit: Peter Dovgan)

New opportunities for artists, workers, businesses, and more within Victoria are on offer, with the return of the Music Works grants program.

Originally launched in 2015, Music Works was initially sold to the industry as a Creative Australia-led initiative aiming to “support musicians, music managers and industry organisations to create, develop and showcase Victorian contemporary music”.

The success stories were varied and immense, with acts like Amyl And The Sniffers, Alex Lahey, The Teskey Brothers, and many more utilising the grants to launch their critically-acclaimed careers.

However, last year brought with it a disappointing State Budget for Victoria, which – created with the Government’s “commitment to driving down spend on inefficient and non-priority programs” – resulted in the removal of items such as Music Works.

A statement from Music Victoria at the time said they were, “deeply concerned about the absence of dedicated investment in contemporary music, particularly the discontinuation of the Music Works program, which has been instrumental in supporting the growth, sustainability and global reputation of Victoria’s music sector over the past decade.”

However, this year has now seen the return of Music Works, with applications now open for the latest round of grant funding.

Delivered by Music Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, the grants aim to support “Victorian artists, music workers, music businesses and organisations to undertake creative and professional development projects that strengthen careers, build businesses and grow Victoria's music industry”.

Two funding streams are open, with fixed $5,000 activation grants on offer, alongside variable project grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000.

The funding is designed to support a broad range of music-related activities, including – but not limited to – songwriting and recording, touring and performing, marketing and audience growth, professional development, and business capability and growth.

Applications for the latest edition of Music Works grants are open now, and will close at 2pm on Wednesday, August 5th. An online information session will also be announced soon, with information regarding the grants available now via the Music Victoria website.