As a supporter of Sounds Australia, AMPAL is disappointed that Sounds Australia has failed to secure funding in the latest Catalyst funding round. Catalyst is the Australian Government's new funding program for the arts, administered by the Ministry for the Arts.
Sounds Australia is a national contemporary music export initiative, and is a joint initiative of the Australia Council and APRA AMCOS, supported by the Federal Government together with State Government agencies and peak industry associations. APRA AMCOS has noted that since its inception in 2009, Sounds Australia has assisted the careers of 620 Australian artists through its work at 48 different international events in 52 cities across 19 countries. Sounds Australia data indicates a 300% compound annual growth in individual earnings within three years of those artists' first Sounds Australia (and first international) appearance. Sounds Australia is funded through the Ministry for the Arts until December 31, 2016, and APRA AMCOS notes that without additional funding, the initiative will not be able to offer its full annual program beyond that date. AMPAL welcomes the announcement today, 13 May, of the Australia Council for the Arts funding for Sounds Australia, and is hopeful that the Federal Government will work with Sounds Australia on a funding solution to continue investment in Sounds Australia's important export initiatives.
More information on Sounds Australia: http://soundsaustralia.com.au/
More information on Catalyst: http://arts.gov.au/catalyst
