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Applications invited from Music Managers
CONTROL, the dynamic new five stage program designed to equip music managers with crucial business skills, is now calling for applications. Mid career music managers from around the country are encouraged to apply. The program is presented by the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), and supported by the Association of Artist Managers. Funding for this initiative has been provided by the Australian Government. AMIN is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.
“I did the pilot program in 2008 and even after 15 years of managing bands, it was a real eye opener for me,” said music manager Heath Bradby (Karnivool, Drapht, Downsyde, Snowman) “I’m working smarter, not harder, now. My work/life balance is a lot better. The course was incredibly beneficial, and I would urge my peers to make the time to do it.”
CONTROL provides music managers with practical guidance on developing and maintaining sustainable businesses. It will include a comprehensive review of the different business models found in the contemporary music sector, as well as deep analysis of each business model brought to the workshops.
There will be two residential workshops. The first will be held in Terrigal near Sydney from 14-17 November 2010, the second at the end of the program in August 2011. Music industry advocate and lawyer, Shane Simpson, will moderate the first workshop, working with a number of business and music industry advisers including leading UK music manager and educator Keith Harris (Stevie Wonder) and Australian music managers Michael McMartin (Hoodoo Gurus) and Keith Welsh (Boom Crash Opera, rooArt, Rough Cut, The Music Network).
The course structure:
• Stage 1
An online tutorial in SWOT analysis and business planning to be completed by all participants prior to commencement of the residential workshop
• Stage 2
A residential workshop to be held near Sydney from 14-17 November 2010.
• Stage 3
Preparation of a business plan to be delivered late February 2011.
• Stage 4
One-to-one feedback on the submitted Business Plan in early March 2011.
• Stage 5
A two day residential program in the Fundamentals of Financial Modelling to be held near Adelaide in August 2011.
There will be no cost of participation in the program (including all meals and accommodation during the workshops). Travel will be at each participant’s expense.
CONTROL guidelines and application forms are available HERE.
Closing date for applications is 24 September 2010.
As we move into the last few days of the Federal Election, both The Greens and Australian Labor have released arts and culture focused policies.
The Greens
The Greens were the first to go public with their position which can be read in detail here.
Key measures announced include moves to:
- prioritise and safeguard public funding for our national artistic and cultural institutions.
- support and adequately resource the Australia Council as the principal independent body for policy development and administration of arts grants programs.
- increase funding incentives for artists and arts events to tour and/or establish in rural and regional areas.
- reinstate the Community Cultural Development program as a discrete funding program in the Australia Council.
- support the expansion of the Commonwealth Art Bank – Art Rental program with a focus on emerging artists.
- sign and ratify the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003.
- ensure that any trade agreement or other international instrument does not adversely affect Australian artists and cultural expression.
- introduce legislation to protect intellectual and artistic property rights.
- ensure that the national arts resale royalty program applies to all existing art works.
- introduce a fixed term income support scheme for emerging artists.
- enable emerging artists to access small business start-up grants and schemes.
- provide federal funding to local and state governments to purchase venues for permanent community arts and cultural groups and organisations.
Read more at http://greens.org.au.
Australian Labor
Meanwhile, Labor released its policy position dubbed “Investing in a Creative Australia” earlier this week.
The complete policy outline is available here.
In announcing its position, the ALP said a Labor Government…
“…will provide $10 million for the Australia Council to invest in up to 150 new artistic works, presentations and fellowships.
This new funding will ensure the Australia Council can focus on priority areas including: support for young and emerging artists, the creation of new Australian work (across all art forms) and assist artists in building more sustainable careers.
A Gillard Labor Government will also transfer a number of programs from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to the Australia Council, to utilise the resources and expertise of the Australia Council to promote better outcomes for arts funding. These programs include Playing Australia, Visions of Australia, Festivals Australia, the Contemporary Music Touring program, the Regional Arts Fund and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy.”
The ALP has also made commitments to..
- Develop a national cultural policy.
- Negotiate with the States to develop a new major performing arts funding model which rewards success, provides greater access for Australian audiences, promotes enhanced artistic excellence, and ensures prudent levels of accountability from major performing arts organisations.
- Finalise a Strategic Contemporary Music Industry Plan.
Read more at http://www.alp.org.au
AMIN will provide details on any Coalition arts and culture policy when released.
As we get to the pointy end of the current election campaign, there are two words we’ll be hearing time and time again – ‘economy’ and ‘jobs’. But it’s a fair bet the political discussion around those two pivotal issues will be blinkered at best.
As both sides of politics look to the traditional big end of town there’s little doubt that, yet again, one of this country’s most significant industries will slip under the election radar – Australian music.
Which is why the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) is determined to ensure this election does not become another wasted opportunity for some leadership on this issue, calling on all political parties and candidates to outline their commitments to supporting the growth of this sector.
No one is more aware of the significance and scope of this industry than AMIN. Through it’s members – the peak industry bodies in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and The Northern Territory – AMIN gives a voice to literally thousands of artists and the music businesses, both big and small, that support them.
It’s hard to understate the importance of contemporary music to the health of Australian cultural life. But this issue goes much further than the traditional support for arts argument.
Supporting Australia’s cultural industries like music is about supporting real jobs, real economic growth, and ensuring this country develops a broader, more balanced economy that moves on from the traditional dig it up, sell it off model.
The numbers say it all.
The recent Live Performance Australia study Size & Scope of the Live Entertainment Industry found the live entertainment industry generated revenue of $1.88 billion in 2008 alone – contributing $1.1 billion to the Australian economy. That makes it larger than film and video production, sports and physical recreation, book publishing and horse and dog racing.
And when you consider live performance is just one part of our industry, the financial impact music has on the Australian economy becomes even more significant.
Recently reported ABS jobs figures add to the picture, demonstrating that Australia’s cultural industries – of which contemporary music is a major contributor – accounts for more jobs than mining and car manufacturing combined.
The list of workers and business supported by music in this country continues to grow at a remarkable rate – artists, writers, managers, record labels, publicists, designers, photographers, filmmakers, promoters, clerical staff, venue managers, bookers, security staff, sound engineers, studio operators, vehicle hire firms, music tuition teachers, universities, airlines…and so many more.
Of course, our political leaders should already know this given consultation with industry started more than a decade ago.
Under the former Coalition Government, industry worked with Government to develop the Music Industry Action Agenda – which resulted in no action at all.
And since then the ALP has, while in Opposition and Government, gone to the industry for numerous rounds of consultation. Back in 2006 we had the Arts Policy Discussion Paper, followed by 2007’s New Directions for the Arts, followed by the 2008 2020 Ideas Summit and, just a matter of months ago, input was sought on Peter Garrett’s draft Strategic Contemporary Music Plan.
Each and every time the industry has spoken with one voice – we are here, we are growing, and we deserve some attention. With all that consultation it should be abundantly clear what is needed and required to help support the sector.
Well the time for consultation is well past – we need action, and we need it now.
Across the country artists struggle with unsupportive tax arrangements, stretched support networks, and must contend with fragile legislative environments that can all too easily have devastating impact. One needs to look no further than the recent battle to save Melbourne’s music scene from poorly planned liquor policy as an example of just how easily jobs and opportunities can be lost.
What is required is support to grow the infrastructure that fosters and promotes the truly word class artists this country boasts.
AMIN recommends that policy support would focus on a range of key areas, including:
- A greater degree of funding support to contemporary music as opposed to the long-running trend to prioritise funding for traditional, heritage music (opera, orchestras).
- The adoption and implementation of a national contemporary music strategic plan – incorporating the extensive input already received from the sector – that strengthens the capacity of the music industry.
- Increased support for existing infrastructure – such as the not-for-profit state-based music organisations – that work daily to support both artists and industry.
- National leadership on initiatives to protect the critical role played by live music venues in communities across the country.
- Increased funding support for export-focussed projects and activities that assist artists and industry promote Australian music around the globe.
Few industries are better placed or better equipped to take advantage of the ‘new’ global economy and the music industry is leading the way in developing and exploiting new ways to take Australian talent to the world.
This is an industry driven by artists and business who are innovative forward thinkers – and it’s time our political leaders started to follow suit.
Don’t let this election become another wasted opportunity.
If you love music, and you vote…
Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN)
On behalf of its members…
MusicNSW – www.musicnsw.com
Q Music – www.qmusic.com.au
WAM - www.wam.asn.au
CMST (Tasmania)- www.cmst.com.au
Music NT – www.musicnt.com.au
Music Victoria – www.musicvictoria.com.au
Patrick Donovan has been appointed the founding CEO of Music Victoria, the newly established contemporary music industry peak body for Victoria which will provide a unified voice to support the best interests of the Victorian music industry.
“Music Victoria is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Donovan as Music Victoria CEO,” said Music Victoria President, Andrew Walker.
”Patrick will provide leadership in the development of our music industry and its talented artists and building on Victoria’s reputation as the home of Australian contemporary music. I congratulate the music community for all their hard work in getting Music Victoria to this stage and look forward to an exciting future.”
Mr Donovan, who over the years has built up a reputation as being one of the state’s most vocal supporters of local music through his writings with the Age newspaper, said he was thrilled by the opportunity to be Music Victoria’s founding CEO.
Being at the coalface reporting on the mass public protests earlier this year in support of live music, Mr Donovan saw first hand how the threat to the industry galvanised Victorians.
“We saw how much the scene meant to the people of Victoria last summer when tens of thousands of people protested in the streets in support of the music. It is much more than just entertainment – it is the soundtrack to our city.
“Much progress has already been made in recent months in partnership with industry groups Fair Go 4 Live Music and Save Live Australia’s Music, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them as well as Liquor Licensing Victoria, local councils, the Federal Government and the State Government, which has provided the seeding funding to set up Music Victoria.
“In my role as Music Writer for The Age newspaper over the last 12 years, I have increasingly found that my favourite music originates from Australia and – more often than not – Victoria. We have one of the strongest music scenes in the world – be it rock, jazz, country or hip hop – and that is something to savour, nurture and celebrate. I can’t wait to get involved full time working with all of these wonderfully dedicated and artistic musicians and those who support them.”
Music Victoria was encouraged by Premier John Brumby’s comments at the Victoria Rocks funding announcement last week when he said: “We have taken a view here in Victoria that we want to build Melbourne as the creative capital of Australia.”
Music Victoria was set up earlier this year after a consultation with more than 650 artists, industry workers, and business people gave their overwhelming support for a body such as Music Victoria to promote and celebrate Victorian artists, provide advocacy on behalf of the industry and boost professional development opportunities.
Musicians, industry workers and music lovers are now invited to subscribe or become a financial member of Music Victoria at www.musicvictoria.com.au
Live Performance Australia [LPA], the peak body for Australia’s live entertainment and performing arts industry, today launched its first benchmarking study on the Size & Scope of the Live Entertainment Industry 2010 by Ernst & Young.
The Study finds that the industry generated revenues of $1.88 billion in 2008 and contributed $1.1 billion to the Australian economy making it larger than film and video production, sports and physical recreation, book publishing and horse and dog racing.
The industry, which employs 13,800 full time equivalent positions, is made up of many diverse sectors ranging from ballet and dance to classical music, theatre and to rock festivals.
Non-classical (contemporary) music is the most significant contributor by event category, comprising 40 percent of the industry’s total value-add.
Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia (LPA), Evelyn Richardson said the Study is broader in scope than those previously undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and demonstrates the significant economic contribution of the industry, despite limited government investment in certain event categories.
“This study provides a snapshot of the live entertainment industry’s economic contribution in terms of gross output, value-add and employment during 2008,” Richardson said.
The live entertainment industry also generates a number of intangible benefits that are not reflected in economic metrics like this benchmark study. These include improved social cohesion, lifestyle improvement, diversity and increased creativity.
“This industry is a sophisticated contributor in terms of financial, employment, and quality of life metrics to the Australian economy. Regular benchmarking enables the industry and importantly its private and Government stakeholders to see its real and tangible value.”
www.liveperformance.com.au
Music NT is proud to announce the second annual iNTune Music Conference – in both Darwin and Alice Springs!
iNTune 2010
Darwin: Medina Vibe Hotel Conference Centre, Darwin Waterfront, 27/28 August
Alice Springs: Totem Theatre, Alice Springs, 10/12 September
Early bird registrations are now open!! Register before July 16 and be rewarded with discount entry price and great prizes. And this year you can register online through www.intune.net.au
The final deadline for online registration for iNTune Darwin is 6pm August 26, with the iNTune Alice deadline 6pm September 9. Music NT will also accept cash payment, in person at the Darwin and Alice Springs offices.
iNTune Registration Prices:
Individuals: $50 / Early bird $40
Bands (up to four members) $120 / Early bird $100
Student concession (with ID): $25
Drumming Masterclass with Dave Haley (Darwin only, limit 10) $15 per person
With over 90 delegates and 30+ speakers attending iNTune in 2009, Music NT has made the 2010 Conference accessible to even more musicians by adding iNTune Alice Springs in 2010 – the first of a planned future Conference roll out across the Territory.
An exciting line up of guests will attend both conferences. To whet your appetite, the first speakers for iNTune Darwin are: Cath Haridy – Manager (Eskimo Joe, Bob Evans) / Clive Hodson – Perfect Pitch Publishing / Dave Haley – Drummer, Psycroptic / Rob Scott – Sandcastle Music Julian Hewitt – Media Arts Lawyers / Stacey Piggott – Two Fish Out Of Water Publicity / Mark Lackey – Atlas Touring / Steven Schram – ARIA award winning producer. More announcements to come soon for iNTune Darwin and Alice!
The iNTune Music Conference brings to the Northern Territory some of Australia leading music industry figures, for two days of panels, workshops and networking. Delighted to be hosting the event again, Music NT Manager Mark Smith says that “iNTune is vital opportunity for anyone – and everyone – in the NT music industry, to connect nationally, and to experience first-hand what is happening in the music industry right now.”
Stay iNTuned for further speaker announcements and program updates at www.intune.net.au
Register & pay in person at:
Music NT Darwin office address – upstairs, 29 Cavanagh Street, Darwin (inside the Indigenous Community Volunteers office, opp. clothes store Elevated). Phone (08) 8981 1995.
Music NT Alice Springs office address – 67 Bath Street, Alice Springs. Phone (08) 8952 0322
www.intune.net.au
Few people have had a bigger impact on the Australian music industry than manager, promoter and label executive Michael Gudinski. Now Gudinski will be heading to Brisbane to present a very special keynote address at BIGSOUND 2010 this September.
In a career spanning more than four decades, Gudinski has played a key role in the careers of some of Australia’s biggest artists and is now Chair of The Mushroom Group of companies – an empire including record labels alongside publishing and touring interests.
This year will be Gudinski’s first speaking engagement at BIGSOUND – the longest-running annual event of its type in the country. Taking place from September 8 to 10 the event features three days of conferences, workshops and public showcase gigs.
The announcement comes as BIGSOUND unveils the first batch of artist set to play the BIGSOUND Live showcase program.
With more than 50 acts still to be announced, BIGSOUND can reveal Children Collide, Boy & Bear, The Vasco Era, Last Dinosaurs, and The John Steel Singers will all be taking the stage as part of this unique public event held across two nights and more than six venues across Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.
MORE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
Joining Michael Gudinski this September is a new batch of national and international speakers heading to BIGSOUND, Leading off the next group is Brian Ritchie – founding member of seminal American band Violent Femmes. Ritchie relocated to Australia in 2006 and is curator of Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art – Festival of Music and Art (MONA FOMA). He also recently formed The Break – a modern Australian surf band with three members of Midnight Oil.
Also heading to Brisbane will be Joel Carriere from award winning Canadian label Dine Alone Records and Bedlam Music Management, Senior A&R Manager for Sony Music in Australia Courtney Hard, and Tak Furuichi – A&R with one of Japan’s largest indie labels JVC Victor Entertainment.
The new names add to the already impressive list of BIGSOUND speakers announced earlier this month including influential US music writer Michael Azerrad keynote speaker and industry icon John O’Donnell, legendary artist Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus) and Morgan Lebus – A&R Manager for the US office of Domino Records and Domino Publishing Company.
And yet more speakers will be announced over the coming months…
BIGSOUND, an initiative of peak industry body Q Music, is supported by major partner Trade and Investment Queensland, the Queensland Government’s global business agency.
BIGSOUND 2010 SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED SO FAR…
Michael Azerrad – author / journalist (USA)
John O’Donnell – Odfellows Publishing / Cold Chisel management (AU)
Michael Gudinski – Chairman,The Mushroom Group of Companies (AU)
Dave Faulkner – Hoodoo Gurus (AU)
Brian Ritchie – artist (USA/AU)
Rae Harvey – Crucial Music (AU)
Peter Jesperson – New West Records (USA)
Morgan Lebus – Domino Recordings & Publishing (USA)
Tom Windish – The Windish Agency (USA)
Andy McGrath – ATO (USA)
Johnny Beach – Bowery Presents (USA)
Tim Levinson – Urthboy / The Herd / Elefant Traks (AU)
Chloe Walsh – Press Here Publicity (USA)
Joel Carriere – Dine Alone Records / Bedlam Music Management (CAN)
Courtney Hard – Senior A&R Manager Sony Music (AU)
Tak Furuichi – JVC Victor Entertainment (JAP)
BIGSOUND LIVE 2010 ARTISTS ANNOUNCED SO FAR…
Children Collide
Boy & Bear
The Vasco Era
Last Dinosaurs
The John Steel Singers
www.bigsound.org.au
Amrap and The Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) are pleased to announce Australian Indigenous artists are the first unsigned artists eligible to access Amrap’s AirIT.
The partnership will see a number of Indigenous artists added to Amrap’s AirIT each month. The Indigenous artists are sourced and recommended by AMIN, whose member organisations are currently working with Indigenous artists in Queensland, The Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales.
Until now, artists available on AirIT were mostly signed to major or independent record labels. Thirty two per cent (32%) of AirIT users already play Indigenous music on their radio shows, often sourcing the music direct from the artists.
Through this new initiative, Amrap and AMIN will work together to make Indigenous music available on AirIT for all 300+ community stations and their broadcasters to order for airplay.
Up to three tracks from every Indigenous release recommended by AMIN will be added to Amrap’s AirIT. One of the first unsigned Indigenous bands to benefit from the partnership is Queensland based soul and roots outfit Max Judo. Already AirIT users have shown a strong interest in their first single ‘What’s Going On’. The track is currently number three in the AirIT January ‘Ordered for Airplay’ chart, competing against acts such as Sarah Blasko, Bluejuice and the John Butler Trio.
With Indigenous artists leading the way, pathways for all unsigned Australian artists to access AirIT will be announced throughout 2010.
More details online now at www.amrap.org
Victoria’s contemporary music sector received a boost last month with Arts Minister Peter Batchelor announcing the formation of a new peak body – Music Victoria.
The announcement follows the establishment of a Live Music taskforce that is meeting regularly to resolve a number of concerns about the impact current liquor licensing arrangements were having on some small music venues.
Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government would provide seed funding of up to $250,000 to support the establishment of an independent body, Music Victoria.
“Melbourne and Victoria play a key role Australia’s music scene and contemporary music is an important economic and social driver in our community,” Mr Batchelor said.
“From dedicated musicians, iconic festivals and passionate audiences, Victoria is renowned as being the place for music.
“Music Victoria will represent the sector’s interests on a local, national and even an international level and ensure Victoria’s contemporary music credentials remain strong.”
Mr Batchelor said that in 2009 music industry organisations, The Push, The Australian Performing Rights Association, the Australian Independent Records Label Association and the Australian Music Industry Network joined with Arts Victoria to form a Steering Committee to determine if there was a case for the establishment of a peak body for Victoria.
“After consultations with more than 650 Victorian artists, business owners and music industry workers, support for a peak body in this state was resounding,” Mr Batchelor said.
“Music Victoria will provide a unified voice and will play a role in advocacy and industry development by providing support services for music makers and small businesses as well as a knowledge-hub and on-line resources.
“But most importantly, Music Victoria will celebrate and promote our fantastic contemporary music scene.”
Music Victoria representative Peter Chellew said: “Music Victoria is delighted to have the support of the Victorian government at this important time for contemporary music in our state.
“We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to ensure that the talented artists, businesses and creative workers who make up our music community continue to flourish.”
The Music Victoria Committee will seek the involvement of the media industry to establish the body and will start the search for a director.
A detailed funding agreement with milestones will be established over the coming weeks between the Government and Music Victoria.
More information at www.musicvictoria.com.au
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