The absence of Sounds Australia has led artist manager and industry veteran Laura Wallbridge to start a petition in a fight to secure funding for the national music export initiative, directed at Senator Mitch Fifield.
“Without additional funding, the initiative will not be able to offer its full annual export program beyond that date,” said Wallbridge in an online statement.
Wallbridge also defended Sounds Australia’s role as a vital player in both the Australian and international music industry, condemning the funding cut as “terrifying” for the prospects of Australian artists.
“Since its inception in 2009, Sounds Australia has supported the careers of 620 Australian artists through its work at 48 different international events in 52 cities across 19 countries.”
Further members of the music industry defended Sounds Australia’s role as an important international springboard for Australian artists.
“Sounds Australia helps bring artists the ilk of Courtney Barnett and Chet Faker to the world. They need more cash, less rhetoric,” said Herald Sun music columnist Mikey Cahill.
Cahill’s thoughts were echoed by Victoria’s music industry peak body, Music Victoria, deriding the funding cuts as “a huge and disappointing blow for the export of great Australian music and artists”.
A list of 45 organisations are slated for funding, including $1 million awarded to The Australian Ballet, alongside funding for Playwriting Australia ($800,000), the National Library of Australia ($660,000), Melbourne Fringe ($30,000) and $150,000 for Footscray Community Arts Centre’s Indigenous Cultural Program.
Senator Mitch Fifield has been contacted for comment.
