South Australian musicians will have access to an Australia-first initiative to support their journey to specific international music events throughout 2023.
Through an Export Contribution Fund, the South Australian Government’s Music Development Office and Sounds Australia will provide a non-competitive $3,000 contribution to travel costs for eligible artists who receive an official invitation to showcase at Folk Alliance International (Kansas, USA), SXSW (Austin, USA), The Great Escape Festival (Brighton, UK), Americanafest (Nashville, USA) and The Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg, Germany).
This partnership recognises the increasing barriers to market entry for South Australian export-ready artists and is aimed at easing their financial burden, allowing them to make the most of their international opportunities.
The inaugural beneficiaries of the SA Export Contribution Fund include Dean Forever, Germein, MANE, PINES, Teenage Joans and TUSHAR, who have all been invited to officially showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas this March.
“One of the best ways to grow the profile of our many talented musicians here in South Australia is to assist with music export.” says Andrea Michaels, South Australian Minister for Small and Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and Arts. “It is great to see that five South Australian acts have already been invited to be showcased at SXSW – the most we have ever had from our state – and they will benefit from this initiative.
“The South Australian Government – through the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science’s Music Development Office – is proud to partner with Sounds Australia on the Export Contribution Fund to help showcase our talented South Australian musicians all over the world. We want to continue to build on Adelaide’s status as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music and being able to perform at these events will work towards this goal.
Sounds Australia’s Executive Producer, Millie Millgate, says: “The creation of a dedicated Export Contribution Fund is the first of its kind in Australia and we are inspired by the South Australian Music Development Office who have seriously thought about where their artists need tangible support and have strategically created such a simple and effective program. Sounds Australia is proud to partner in its delivery and look forward to working with the South Australian acts and industry in their forthcoming export endeavours.”
More information on the fund and the application process is available here: https://soundsaustralia.com.au/funding/sa/