Lifeline for live music

ARTS, culture and hospitality industries in Victoria were some of the hardest hit by COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions earlier this year.

With the aim of saving live music venues from all around the state, over 15,000 Australians signed the Save Our Scene petition calling for specialised funding and support for the sector.

In response, The Live Music Australia program was announced to support struggling venues and assist live music businesses to become operational once again.

The initiative is a competitive grants opportunity, open to all small to medium sized venues that support quality and original Australian live music.

The fund is set to deliver $5 million annually over the next four years throughout the state with the aim of the 2020-21 funding to primarily assist venues to reopen and rebuild.

This year’s grant money will also strive to support performance opportunities for contemporary Australian artists and promote partnerships, collaboration and networks across the live music industry.

The first round of applications close 13 September, to apply visit arts.gov.au.