The Victorian State Government has announced over $13 million will be injected into the local music sector.
The funding package announce - which comes on the back of the Save Our Scene campaign calling for support of live music venues throughout the COVID-19 crisis - will see over 100 live venues receive the "survival cash injections".
Venues including Northcote Social Club, The Grace Darling in Collingwood, Richmond’s Corner Hotel and Theatre Royal in Castlemaine will share in grants of $9 million which will "assist venues to reopen and host events when it is safe to do so, providing employment for artists, promoters, technicians and other workers".
Meanwhile, the Government's new Victorian Music Industry Recovery program will offer grants between $4,000 and $50,000 to support artists, managers, promoters, bookers, road crew and other workers to keep creating music, undertake professional and business training and develop COVID safe ways of working.
Applications for the program open today and close on 22 October. Click here for more details.
“In ordinary times, Victorian music venues hosts tens of thousands of gigs each year – reaching millions. We don’t want to lose Victoria’s music scene," Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We’ll continue to support our venues, our musicians, and the many workers who bring this $1.7 billion industry to life are able to reopen stronger than ever and welcome us back for a COVID normal summer.”
Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley, added, "This support will protect our grassroots venues, save jobs and music businesses, and keep local music playing well beyond this pandemic.”
