Councilor Rohan Leppert, the City’s Chair of Arts and Culture commented, “Melbourne’s music industry is a vital part of the city’s culture. This three-year plan outlines how we will continue to work with other levels of government and the music industry, to support issues such as access to music, encouraging the creation of music, live music venues, business mentoring and promotion. All of which are fundamental to fostering artistic development, attracting new audiences and expanding live performance across Melbourne.”
The 18 recommendations are split up into six themes – Visibility; Promotion and Positioning; Spaces and Collaboration; Funding and Support; Policy reform and Advocacy; and Research and Information.
In a far-sighted look at how the city and the music community can work together, suggestions include ensuring music activities happen throughout the day and night, encourage family events, do an audit of current and new spaces where acts can play and rehearse, increase awareness among musicians of what funding is available, promote the city’s music history in various ways, investigate if a regular forum can be held to discuss live music issues, and monitor laws governing music venues.
One important idea is to encourage collaborations with overseas names to emphasise Melbourne as a music city where things happen, and to work with other music cities to brand Melbourne as a destination where opportunities and investments pay off.
Another is for the music industry to work with retail, hospitality and tourism to work on joint ventures.
The full details of The 2014-17 Melbourne Music Strategy is available at melbourne.vic.gov.au/music. It is open for community feedback until Friday May 30.
Members of the Music Advisory Committee include:
Chair – Councillor Rohan Leppert
Councillor Cathy Oke
Dr Andrea Baker – Monash University
Adrian Basso – PBS Radio and Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Ali Bird – Film Victoria
Patrick Donovan – Music Victoria
Meera Fernandes – The Music Generation
Mairead Hannan – Composer/Producer
Ian James – Mushroom Music Publishing
Daragh Kan – The Mercat Cross Hotel
Peter Luscombe – Musician/Producer/Writer
Dobe Newton OAM – Teacher/Consultant/Performer
Jerry Poon – The Operatives HQ Pty Ltd
Lucie Ribush – The Toff in Town/Cookie/Boney
Jonathan Williamson – Arts Victoria
