MusicSA, South Australia’s peak body and advocate for the contemporary music industry, is calling on the state government to invest $12 million into the future of the sector.
This year, South Australians will vote in a state election, and ahead of the election, MusicSA asks the prevailing government to invest $12 million over four years – $3 million per annum – in its state election contemporary music action plan, Play It LOUD.
Early voting for this year’s South Australian election opens on Saturday, 14 March, followed by polling day on Saturday, 21 March. You can find out more information here.
The initiative is designed to strengthen South Australia’s contemporary music ecosystem, which already contributes $490 million to gross state product and supports over 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually.
With Play It LOUD, MusicSA proposes a coordinated package of aims to continue delivering positive outcomes for the state’s music scene.
The organisation seeks support for emerging artists, established professionals, metropolitan live music venues, regional spaces, First Nations leadership and career pathways, plus audience development for young punters.
MusicSA proposes targeted funding across these six priority areas:
$1.25M per annum in Artist and Industry Grants to support artists, venues, and festivals across South Australia.
$250,000 per annum for First Nations Industry Development in culturally led career pathways, addressing systemic barriers, and amplifying First Nations voices.
$500,000 per annum in Regional Industry Development to boost regional venues and increase attendance.
$700,000 per annum in the SA Music Industry Sector Development to introduce a new Industry Conference, plus develop pathways and mentorship opportunities.
$150,000 per annum in Audience Development for Local Original Music to increase ticket sales and revenue.
$150,000 per annum for Music Career Pathways for Young People, and build the next generation of opportunities in music.
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Play It LOUD has been developed through extensive consultation with artists and music industry professionals who operate businesses, venues, and festivals across South Australia. It’s inspired by industry surveys, economic modelling, and state and federal policy reports, aligning with the state government’s ten-year cultural policy, A Place To Create.
In a statement, MusicSA CEO Christine Schloithe explained that Play It LOUD provides “solid building blocks” that the state’s music industry needs to grow and thrive.
“South Australia is a small but powerful music industry. We have some of Australia’s most talented artists and bands, but they need to be nurtured to be industry-ready, and they need sustainable pathways to connect to national and international networks and industry,” Schloithe said. “Play It LOUD delivers the solid building blocks the local music industry needs to grow and thrive right now.”
MusicSA Chair John Glenn added, “While we value the investment the South Australian contemporary music industry receives, the reality is music industry funding is very small and has not been adjusted in over a decade.
“Our local industry is falling behind other states and jurisdictions because it’s underfunded. South Australian music contributes significantly to the state’s economy–we have proven that. We are asking for a fairer playing field for an industry that was hardest hit during the pandemic, and it’s still doing it just as tough.”
To find out more about the Play It LOUD policy position, head to the MusicSA website.
