Music venues receive funding boost

IN a step towards protecting Victoria’s live music scene, five Ballarat venues received significant survival grants as part of the Live Music Venues Program.

The programs local recipients and supplied grants include $80,000 for Volta, $60,000 for Trades Hall Ballarat, $80,000 for The Eastern, $100,000 for Hop Temple and $75,000 for The Main Bar.

Co-owner of the Eastern Hotel Matt Stone said this grant has saved them.

“We would not have survived without it,” he said. “We can now focus on reopening and bring the community back together.

“We are very excited by the future and would like to thank everyone who has been involved to bring this together.”

Hoping to revive the local music industry in preparation for COVID Normal, Ballarat’s recipients are among 106 venues across the state to share $9 million worth of grants in the first step of the program.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said these grants will save jobs and music businesses.

“This support for iconic Ballarat venues will protect our grassroots live music scene,” she said.

“We are ensuring that our local live music will continue to nurture and promote Ballarat artists well beyond this pandemic.”

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle added, “Ballarat has always been known for its live music scene, these grants will support our scene and the bands can play on.

“I’m looking forward to seeing these venues open soon; fostering local musos and creative jobs.”

Local musicians and music businesses may also be eligible to apply the next round of grants through the program at creative.vic.gov.au, where applications close at 5pm Thursday, 22 October.