$1 million grants program just announced for WA artists!

Shane | 28 December 2018 | Reply

$1 million grants program just announced for WA artists!

Left to right: Luke Riches (The Struggle Kings), Suzie Tuilali (aka Hyclass), Jordi Davieson (San Cisco), Minister David Templeman, Phoebe Gunson (Your Girl Pho), Carla Geneve, Ofa Fotu (aka Odette Mercy), and Scarlett Stevens (San Cisco)

Christmas has come early for WA artists with The McGowan Government today announcing a new $1 million open access grants program for Western Australia’s contemporary music artists.

Opening in the new year, the Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program will assist WA artists and music industry professionals with producing and promoting their work, nationally and internationally. It will also aim to improve the representation of Aboriginal, regional, cultural and gender diverse music artists in the industry.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman made the announcement this morning at Perth venue Lucy’s Love Shack, alongside WAM CEO Mike Harris and WA artists such as Pheobe Gunson (Your Girl Pho), Carla Geneve, Jordi Davieson and Scarlett Stevens (San Cisco), Suzie Tuilali (Hyclass), Ofa Fotu (Odette Mercy) and more, who all welcomed the news.

Grants will be available in two categories, depending on the amount requested.

Music artists seeking up to $15,000 in funding can apply throughout the year starting from 8 January 2019.

For applications between $15,000 and $60,000, three major grants rounds will be offered with the first set to open on 22 January 2019.

The grants program is part of the Contemporary Music Fund, a McGowan Government election commitment, which will inject a total of $3 million into WA’s contemporary music sector over the next four years. $2 million in targeted initiatives will be announced in early 2019.

The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. For more information visit dca.wa.gov.au/funding/.

Comments attributed to WAM CEO Mike Harris:

“The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program is a culmination of about three years of hard work between WAM and The McGowan Government. It’s a fantastic result that will create more opportunities for WA artists to promote their music, distribute their music and showcase their music, nationally and around the world.

“We commend The McGowan Government for their ongoing support and look forward to continuing to work closely with the Department to nurture and grow WA music into the future.

“The message to the music sector is, let’s use the new Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program to excel so we can continue to lobby for further funding as we head into the next election.”

Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:

“The Contemporary Music Fund Grant Program will give emerging music artists a boost in our rocking local music industry and more opportunities to be heard on a bigger stage.

“For contemporary musicians this announcement will be music to their ears, knowing that this opportunity is waiting for them in the new year.

“This announcement is another example of the McGowan Government meeting its election commitment to grow our local entertainment industry, creating jobs and a vibrant WA in the process.”