Sounds Australia is Saved! Full funding for the music-market export initiative announced at Face The Music

After months of uncertainty following the defunding of the music export initiative – who, among many other activities, put on great events around the world like The Aussie BBQ to showcase Australian talent – the organisation’s immediate future was revealed on the steps of the State Library in Melbourne today.

Fronting media and guests of the annual Face The Music conference happening at the venue, the announcement was made alongside Millie Millgate, Esti Zilber and Glenn Dickie of Sounds Australia – that Sounds Australia would receive full federal funding funding for the next four years from the Minister of the Arts, Mitch Fifield.

This follows on from the September announcement that the Australia Council for the Arts had allocated partial funding for Sounds Australia, which had allowed them to run in a reduced capacity next year. The Federal funding matches that of the Australia Council for the Arts and ensures the initative will be able to continue their operations as currently funded, for at least the next four years.

The initial defunding of Sounds Australia was revealed back in May, at which point members of the Australian Music Industry started a petition and social media campaign, #saveoursounds, designed to bring awareness to the great work they do; aiming to achieve exactly what was announced today.

Millie Millgate of Sounds Australia said of the funding, “Today’s news that the Department of Communications and the Arts is supporting SOUNDS AUSTRALIA for the next four years is exactly the result we’ve been hoping for. It’s testament to the value of the national export platform and subsequent success Australian artists are enjoying around the world.”

Dean Ormston of APRA AMCOS has added, “The Federal Government’s commitment to funding SOUNDS AUSTRALIA for the next four years is fantastic news, and will be welcomed by thousands of current and future exporting artists and music businesses. The support from the local and international music industries has been overwhelming – a testament to the work of the SOUNDS AUSTRALIA team, Millie Millgate, Glenn Dickie and Esti Zilber!”

The AU Review – long time supporters of Sounds Australia and their many international initiatives, applauds this decision. The organisation is essential in growing the careers of Australian artists internationally, providing them with showcasing/performing opportunities, resources and networking activations that has been the envy of the industry internationally.

For more details about Sounds Australia and their events and activities all over the world, head to www.soundsaustralia.com.au.

 

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Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.