FUNDING FOR QUEENSLAND'S REGIONAL MUSICIANS SET TO EXPAND

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
02/07/2009
FUNDING FOR QUEENSLAND'S REGIONAL MUSICIANS SET TO EXPAND

Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh has announced an expanded funding program to help emerging musicians establish professional careers in the contemporary music industry.

"The A Venue program will provide total funding of $600,000 over the next three financial years to enable young musicians get career experience within their own communities and to help them build careers and find work playing music," said the Premier.

"The A Venue program, which has been in place since 2004 in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns local government areas, will now be expanded to include the entire state.

"With $200,000 available each year, A Venue has the flexibility to respond to specific needs and opportunities within local communities.

"The A Venue funding will help local bands tour, gain performance experience through local festivals, participate in mentoring programs, marketing and professional development workshops, and attend the annual Big Sound music conference in Brisbane."

Ms Bligh said the expanded A Venue program invited submissions from local councils which could provide a quality program of activities, productive partnerships, mentoring opportunities and financial and in-kind contributions.

"Over the years, the scheme's training and development opportunities in the music industry have clearly paid off for many local bands, like Operator Please and the Winnie Coopers, who have gone on to establish musical careers," she said.

The Premier said that through A Venue, bands and musicians had attended the annual Big Sound music conference in Brisbane over the past three years and participated in the annual RockFest in Rockhampton and Big Day Out on the Gold Coast in 2007 and 2008.

Rockhampton band The Short Fall, who are currently performing in the Q150 Shed in Rockhampton, have participated in the A Venue program as have Max Judo, who have recently returned from Musexpo in the United States and have been nominated for a Q Song Award.

Rockhampton bands who gained performance opportunities through Rockfest 2007 and 2008 are Falling for Indie, The Silence, Enlightened by Darkness, Water Junkee Manifesto, The Short Fall, Ellington and Militia while Gold Coast local bands Enacio, Flowers for Lilly, Misdirection, Adelle and The Cool Calm Collect played at the Big Day Out on the Gold Coast in 2008

"Other A Venue initiatives have produced CD compilations and touring opportunities for participating musicians," she said.

Funding guidelines and applications are available at www.arts.qld.gov.au and the closing date is 24 August 2009.

Permanent Link: FUNDING FOR QUEENSLAND'S REGIONAL MUSICIANS SET TO EXPAND
Publish Date: 02 Jul 09