State Funding for Australian Artists

A number of state arts organisations offer grants and funding opportunities for Australian bands and artists. Be sure to contact the appropriate state organisations to get the latest funding programs, guidelines and submission deadlines.

New South Wales

Department of State and Regional Government

The DSRD Independent Market Visit Program provides up to $3000 to export-ready SMEs entering a new export market. For more information regarding eligibility and how to apply, visit:
http://www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/smallbusiness/Exporting/Government+Programs+for+Exporters/Independent+Market+Visits/

Ministry for the Arts

The NSW Ministry for the Arts has music funding programs related to:

• Contemporary Music Programs - generally for non-commercial projects
• Performance and broadcast - provides opportunities for live music broadcast
• Regional Contemporary Music Recording Project - recording local artists in a compilation CD

For funding applications and guidelines, visit: http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/Guidelines/guidelines.htm

Music NSW

Music NSW Regional Touring Grants
Music NSW, with the assistance of Arts NSW, offers five grants up to $5000 for NSW artists to help fund the regional NSW component of their tours. The program aims to develop viable touring opportunities within regional NSW, and to increase the audience access to live Australian contemporary music.
Find out more about the Regional Touring Grant at: http://www.musicnsw.com/grants2006/

Queensland

Arts Queensland

Arts Queensland offers sector project grants for music and arts programs to promote Queensland's cultural sector.The Sector Projects Grants Program includes two type of grants:

1. Career Development Grants - Grants available to individual artists up to $5000. There are not deadlines for career development grants, and applications are accepted throughout the year. Applicants are generally notified within five weeks of submission.
2. Development and Presentation Grants - Grants available to individual artists, community groups, organisations and creative businesses up to $50 000. Closing dates for the 2007 grant year are 30 April 2007 and 31 August 2007.

For information on eligibility, guidelines and application details, visit: http://www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding_info_new.asp

South Australia

Arts SA

Arts SA offers a number of grants and funding opportunities for contemporary music. All genres of contemporary music are supported, including rock, pop, hip-hop, country, electronic and dance music, with the exception of original and interpretive classical music. Funding opportunities available include:

• Recording and manufacture for national release
• Marketing and distribution of a national release
• Extended marketing and distribution for a CD that is of strong national or international interest
• Hilltop Hoods Initiative
• Touring within Australia
• International activity
• Emerging musicians and groups
• Mentorship and attachments
• Skills and professional development
• Musicians in residence
• Broadcast of contemporary music
• Special initiatives

For more about SA contemporary music initiatives visit: http://www.arts.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=65

Victoria

Arts Victoria

Victoria Rocks
The Arts Victoria 'Victoria Rocks' is a new program that provides funding to support the creative growth and viability of the Victorian music industry. Funding is available under three categories:

1. Music Career Building Grants - Support for recording of original works, distribution, marketing, promotion, website development and digital initiatives.
2. Music Touring Grants - Assists established artists to tour regional, interstate and international markets. Funding is also available for artists or their managers to attend music conferences and business related meetings outside Victoria. (NOTE: Bands and artists who previously applied to the Arts Victoria International Program Grant for international tour support should now apply to the Victoria Rocks Touring Grant).
3. Strategic Music Industry Partnerships - Supports key ideas and innovations that will strengthen and further develop the Victorian music scene. It assists Victorian organisations to provide access and education, and encourage innovation in the local music industry.

For more application forms, and guidelines on how to apply, visit the Arts Victoria website at:
http://www.arts.vic.gov.au/arts/funding/programs/2007/victoria_rocks.htm

Western Australia

Arts WA

Arts WA supports the Contemporary Music Funding Program for the promotion of music that is currently being written and recorded and / or performed by resident Western Australians, wiht a priority being given to music that is broadly understood as being popular. The Contemporary Music Grants Program is divided into six categories:

1. Commerical Development - Supports activity related to the development of markets for individual artists, music businesses or Western Australian music in general
2. Touring - Supports activities that involve performances in two or more towns or cities, whether within Western Australia, interstate or internationally.
3. Mentorships and Skills Development - Supports projects which increase skills, development in the areas of songwriting, arrangement, performance, production, administration, management, and marketing for people involved in the Western Australian contemporary music industry.
4. Production - Supports projects involving the production of recorded product for public consumption.
5. Quick Response Program - Supports opportunities for which funding cannot normally be accessed through normal funding rounds, where the timeframe is out of your control. (Applications must be lodged at least six weeks prior to commencement of activity).
6. Artflight - Additional travel funding from the Department of Culture and Arts.(Applications must be lodged at least six weeks prior to commencement of activity).

Deadlines for Commercial Development, Touring, Mentorships and Skills Development, and Production Grants:

For more information on guidelines and how to apply, visit:
http://www.artswa.wa.gov.au/ContemporaryMusic.asp