The second round of Sounds Australia’s Export Stimulus (SAES) package has been awarded to more of Australia’s local music industry made up of artists, producers, songwriters, composers, managers, publishers and crew. The funds will support wide-ranging international activity including touring, songwriting, producing, industry meetings and tour/technical support.
32 Applicants were awarded AU $434,878.35.
“After such a brutal 2+ years of rescheduled tours, show cancellations, lockdowns and border closures, it feels unbelievable that we are able to actually tour internationally. This funding gives us support in what is really a super fragile economic arrangement for us. We’re playing some of the biggest shows of our careers, nominated for Grammys, yet it could all fall over at any second with no Covid insurance policies out there! We depend on groups like Sounds Australia to have our backs and am grateful for the support they have granted us.” – Si Jay Gould, Wondercore Island (Manager, Hiatus Kiayote).
The SAES program has been explicitly designed to assist established artists and industry professionals in re-entering the international music market, playing a significant role in presenting Australia as a nation of sought-after talent, reigniting foreign trade networks and triggering much-needed income for these important Australian music businesses.
The targeted funding aims to specifically counter the increased costs associated with exporting in a time of COVID-19, including increased insurance premiums, COVID-19 compliance consumables and expediting visas.
“Once again, we have been overwhelmed with the amount of international activity scheduled for Australians in the coming months – a time when the competition for opportunities, performance dates and venues has never been fiercer. It’s imperative that after a 2-year absence our top talent is able to re-engage audiences by returning to international studios and stages.” – Millie Millgate, Executive Producer, Sounds Australia.
Round 2 of the Sounds Australia Export Stimulus Grant has been made possible with the support of the Australian Government, APRA AMCOS, ARIA, PPCA, the Australia Council for the Arts, and Creative Victoria.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cites and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the package, under the first two rounds, has supported 224 Australian music industry professionals to return to international touring and business, and maximise the opportunities this brings.
“The Morrison Government is proud to be supporting the Sounds Australia Export Stimulus program to get our talented artists, crew and music professionals back on the global stage to reaffirm our position in the international music market, and to bolster foreign trade and income for broader Australian music businesses,” Minister Fletcher said.
The extremely high quality and increased quantity of submissions was again judged by an external panel of experienced assessors made up of Cameron Adams, Leanne de Souza, Paul Mason, Sam Cook and Sosefina Fuamoli.
Round 3 for the SAES Grants will open on Monday 13th June 2022 for activity taking place internationally from 1st August 2022.