Music Australia has announced the first round of recipients of investment through the Export Development Fund.
It's a landmark moment for Music Australia, which was established last year within Creative Australia as a new dedicated body to support and invest in Australian contemporary music.
This first round sees over $1.45 million invested, to support 98 projects involving a range of artists, from solo acts to bands, producers, composers and songwriters. A number of artists were successful in being awarded funding across multiple categories.
The fund is focused on key pathways to international export including Performance and Touring, Professional and Artistic Development and Market and Audience Development, with the aim to propel emerging, breakthrough, and established acts into the international spotlight, whilst building thriving and sustainable careers.
Director of Music Australia Millie Millgate said:
"We are committed to supporting Australian artists by co-investing with them, in their unique export endeavours. The Export Development Fund has shone a light on the breadth and quality of Australian talent, currently undertaking career defining activity and pursuing significant international opportunities.
"With international travel and touring costs at an all-time high, Music Australia hopes to lessen the fiscal burden, whilst ensuring that diverse Australian stories are heard, as our artists build their capacity, connect with new audience and grow their global profiles."
Among the highlights of the 98 supported projects:
Alice Ivy to embark on a tour across Europe and the UK with her latest album, Do What Makes You Happy.
Andree Greenwell will attend Aix-en-Provence Festival as one of 15 women selected in the Women Opera Makers Workshop of the Académie.
Emma Donovan will support her first solo album with an extensive six-month US marketing and radio campaign.
Freya Schack-Arnott will reside in Brazil to participate in the Kaaysá Artist Residency.
G Flip to embark on a tour of the UK.
Genesis Owusu to tour Europe and the UK.
Gold Fang will collaborate with UK producers in London, bringing new creative energy to his music.
HRTK will engage global publicity teams to develop their audience to a wider scale, as a legacy artist across Asia, Europe and the US.
Kaiit to work with Grammy-nominated producers and songwriters in the US.
Lime Cordiale will work on a documentary about sustainable touring during their UK and EU tour.
Pretty Girl will be performing in Europe, the UK and North America.
Teenage Joans to support Sleeping With Sirens on their US tour.
Applications for the next round of the Export Development Fund close on 9 July 2024.
