Sounds Australia & MusicNSW share in new $10m Create NSW fund

MusicNSW and Sounds Australia were the two contemporary music associations announced in the NSW government’s $10 million multi-year funding through Create NSW.

MusicNSW gets $420,000 for delivering programs, initiatives and services that drive contemporary music development in NSW.

The association said in a statement, “Our work includes professional development and capacity building for early-to-mid-career artists and music professionals, best practice and resources for music businesses and established artists, and high-level advice and guidance for governments and music stakeholders.”

Sounds Australia receives $160,000 over four years towards its successful music export program.

Saying “we are genuinely thrilled” over the government’s announcement, executive producer Millie Millgate told TMN, “This is the first year Sounds Australia has been awarded multi-year funding by the state.

“We are very pleased to have the security that comes with long-term support.

“We loo forward to continuing to provide international export platforms and opportunities for NSW artists and industry around the world, especially amidst so much uncertainty and the need for reimagining the future.”

58 small to medium NSW arts organisations received multi-year funding, including 14 regional arts companies and 23 first-time recipients – including a number of artist run spaces.

Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin said the industry has struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020/2021 Independent Arts and Cultural Organisations (Multi-Year Funding) provides a future-proof plan for the revival of the arts sector.

“This is the security blanket the sector needs right now. It will provide stability with increased funding over a longer period of time”, he said.

The $9,999,110 in funding for 2020/2021 (up 8.38% on 2019/2020) goes to 33 metro Sydney, 14 regional NSW and 11 western Sydney based organisations.

They cover First Nations, classical music, dance & physical theatre, multi-arts & festivals (including Accessible Arts and Diversity Arts Australia), opera, musical theatre and chorus.