Music venues across the New England impacted by the cancellation of the 2021 Tamworth Country Music Festival were encouraged to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s $20 million Live Music Australia program.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, urged those interested to act fast as applications close this weekend for the first round of grants.

“This is funding to bring more home-grown music to local people during the COVID-19 recovery and is specifically targeted at small to medium-sized venues,” Mr Joyce said.

“So it’s a good opportunity for venues in the New England impacted by the festival’s cancellation to apply for some extra funding and help sustain the local music scene.

“Undoubtedly, times are tough, but I know the region will bounce back stronger from it.”

Live Music Australia is an open competitive grant program which will deliver $5 million annually over four years, with each of the two rounds per year providing $2.5 million. The aim of the 2020-21 funding is to:                
•    assist venues as they prepare to reopen and rebuild their music programs as restrictions are lifted on public gatherings and live performance                
•    support performance opportunities for original contemporary music by Australia artists      
•    support partnerships, collaboration and networks across the Australian live music industry.
Live music performances contribute an estimated $15.4 billion to the Australian economy and create 65,000 full and part-time jobs. 

The program is part of the Government’s $30.9 million Australian Music Industry Package, announced in March 2019.

For more information and to apply visit arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/live-music-australia

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 13 September.

The Office for the Arts will work with funding recipients on the timing and delivery of these activities in line with any current COVID-19 requirements.

(ENDS)