Whenever AMIN speaks to music industry around the world, they are unanimously supportive – and jealous – of Australia’s music export marketing initiative Sounds Australia. It is considered world best practice, and has resulted in incredible outcomes for artists and industry from Courtney Barnett to Henry Wagons. Their staff are hard working and well connected and well regarded. If they lost government funding, the industry wouldn’t just lose this irreplaceable resource, but several years of intelligence and good will from the global industry.
In particular, Sounds Australia are a fundamental part of BIGSOUND’s success because they implement a structured approach to connecting the international and Australian delegates, which would be left to chance or the initiative of individuals. Outcomes for delegates at BIGSOUND would be greatly diminished in the absence of Sounds Australia.
AMIN is concerned by Sounds Australia’s lack of funding in the recent federal arts funding round through Catalyst, but it is heartened by the Federal Arts Minister’s comments today that it can re-apply for Catalyst funding in the next round.
Australia is relatively small market. The best artists need support in navigating the global music quagmire to strategically grow audiences around the world. This will become so much harder without a well resourced Sounds Australia.
If you have benefited from Sounds Australia’s programs, or want to see your favourite bands succeed overseas, please sign the petition to encourage government support for this incredible initiative. You can find the #SAVEOURSOUNDS petition HERE
APRA AMCOS Statement and additional facts and figures HERE
