In a massive win for local music fans, the Victorian government has dropped major funding for music festivals across the state.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks hit up Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel in Creswick to announce a fresh round of the Live Music Festivals Fund, dishing out grants up to $50K for established festival organisers to expand their events. The program, run through Music Victoria, is set to amp up opportunities for punters and musos alike.
Live Music Festivals Fund
- Grant applications open: Tuesday 25 February 2025, 10am
- Applications close: Tuesday 25 March 2025, 2pm
- Info session: Tuesday 4 March 2025
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The previous funding round in 2024 backed 22 festivals, with regional Victoria scoring nearly two-thirds of the funding pool. This latest round targets festivals pulling crowds over 1,000, aiming to create more jobs both on and off stage while drawing music lovers to every corner of the state.
The fund is part of a broader push to support Victoria’s music scene, running alongside other initiatives like 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund for venues, Music Works grants for artists and industry workers, and the newly formed Victorian Music Industry Advisory Council.
Minister Brooks emphasised the cultural significance of these events: “Victoria’s music festivals are the lifeblood of communities across our state. They provide jobs for event workers, they’re a rite of passage for young music lovers, and they provide real opportunity for artists to build their careers. Music festivals across the country have faced a challenging time, and we are proud to back our much-loved local festivals and the communities that host them.”
Local member Martha Haylett backed the announcement: “Our community is a proud hub for live music, with incredible venues and festivals like CresFest showcasing local talent and attracting artists, visitors, and opportunities to our region – this support will help keep our live music industry strong and thriving.”
Acting Music Victoria CEO Kirsty Rivers highlighted the broader impact: “Music Victoria is proud to support the Victorian Government’s vital ongoing investment in Victoria’s live music festival sector. Our festivals are an essential part of Victoria’s cultural life and bring connections, opportunity and employment to artists, creative workers, and local communities.”
CresFest Co-Director Judy Turner celebrated the practical benefits: “The grant through the Live Music Festivals Fund has been a game changer for CresFest in 2025! It means we can finally stop worrying about the last-minute nature of ticket sales, and in another brilliant thing for our town, this funding has enabled CresFest to contribute to making events at the Creswick Courthouse accessible to all.”
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