The government is finally offering some support for local musicians and, no, it is not the dole.
Arts Northern Rivers has received a $30,000 grant towards developing an industry and market-development project for northern rivers musicians, the group announced yesterday.
Running over a 12-month period in 2013, the Connect program will incorporate professional-development opportunities available to all local music-industry practitioners; six months of one-to-one mentoring for six musicians with established industry personnel; and the presentation of a finale showcase event where the mentored musicians can make connections to new markets.
In his letter to Arts Northern Rivers, arts minister George Souris said ‘The NSW government is committed to delivering artistic opportunity across every part of NSW. I trust this funding will support new opportunities for artistic and cultural development and audiences alike.’
The program is supported by four regional project partners. Arts Northern Rivers will be responsible for project management; Southern Cross University will invest in a senior researcher to track and evaluate progress; Trade and Investment NSW will link the project in to statewide creative industries strategies and Mullumbimby Music Festival will contribute to a professional-development and mentorship program, in conjunction with parent company Vitamin Records.
Arts Northern Rivers CEO Peter Wood said, ‘Over the last five years we have delivered many significant arts and creative industry projects. This Regional Partnerships grant means we can continue important work by developing a new market and industry support program for the music sector in our region. We recognise the arts and creative industries as an important economic driver for our region and we are pleased that we are able to continue our commitment to this sector through this project. We are also pleased to be working with Southern Cross University and Mullum Music Festival, who will help deliver this exciting opportunity for northern rivers musicians in 2013.’
The money was made available under the NSW government’s 2013 Arts Funding Program – Regional Partnerships by Arts NSW.
