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The Queensland Government is providing $1.3 million in funding to 21 live music venues across Queensland, providing an important boost to the sector following the impacts of COVID-19.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch announced the new funding for the live music sector at the annual Queensland Music Awards noting “we recognise the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts and culture sector, and on indoor live music venues.

“That is why we have committed to supporting the industry with $22.5 million in funding through the Arts and Cultural Recovery Package.

“As part of this initiative, the Live Music Support Program is providing a further $1.3 million to 21 live music venues in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Gold Coast. This new investment package is in addition to funding we have provided to artists, venues and for music touring, and specifically aims to boost the sustainability of Queensland’s live music venues.”

Minister Enoch added “the arts are key to delivering our plan for economic recovery, each year contributing $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs in Queensland.

“Under the Live Music Support Program, large venues were able to apply for up to $80,000 worth of funding, and smaller venues for up to $60,000, to help offset revenue loss and stabilise their operations.”

Melissa O’Bryan, Entertainment Manager of Solbar in Maroochydore advised “for the last 14 months we’ve been digging deep for new opportunities for artists, for our team and for the music loving community.

“This funding means we can keep building on these ideas. We have the backing to confidently keep our doors open and to further explore future opportunities for the Sunshine Coast creative community.”

Minister Enoch continued “the Government has worked closely with the live music sector directly and through QMusic, as Queensland’s peak body for the sector, to best help the sector recover and tonight’s Queensland Music Awards acknowledges the importance of a vibrant live music industry.”

Attending the awards to present the $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship with Lynn Thorpe, wife of the late great Queensland rocker Billy Thorpe, Minister Enoch said the Government support will provide a local artist with a recording grant and career planning support through the Scholarship.

“Congratulations to Gold Coast based Beckah Amani, the 2021 Billy Thorpe Scholarship winner who impressed the judges with her incredible voice, mature songwriting, and who in this very competitive category, stood out as a young artist with a great project plan,” announced Minister Enoch.

“The judging panel was enthralled with her incredible story and believe that this funding will significantly boost Beckah and her career over the next 12 months.   

“The Queensland Music Awards are an important celebration of the breadth of talent within Queensland’s vibrant and diverse contemporary music industry, recognising our exciting emerging artists and acknowledging the exceptional achievements of the industry.”

2020 winner Harry Phillips said, “Winning the Billy Thorpe Scholarship allowed me the opportunity to work with amazing producers and people I never would have had access to normally.

“The advice I received from Chugg Entertainment was hugely enlightening and helped me to clearly define my own path to success in the music industry.

“Overall the Scholarship helped me turbo boost this stage in my career, and gave me the resources to produce the best music I’ve ever made."

For more information, go to www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au. 

Live Music Venues receiving funding:

The Zoo, Fortitude Valley - $60,000

Solbar, Maroochydore - $80,000

The Tivoli Theatre, Fortitude Valley - $80,000

Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns - $80,000

Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads - $59,329

Banshees Bar & Artspace, Ipswich - $43,113

Tomcat Bar, Fortitude Valley - $58,500

The Triffid, Newstead - $80,000

Vinnies Dive, Southport - $60,000

Can You Keep A Secret, Woolloongabba - $59,597

Dust Temple, Currumbin Waters - $59,750

Miami Marketta, Mermaid Beach - $79,000

The Bearded Lady, West End - $55,000

The Met Hotel, Toowoomba - $38,000

NightQuarter, Birtinya - $80,000

Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley - $80,000

Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley - $80,000

The Junk Bar, Ashgrove - $50,000

Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley - $48,000

BBQ Bazaar/Burleigh Bazaar, Burleigh Heads - $63,200

EC Venue, Fortitude Valley - $43,680

Image: Tanks Art Centre, Cairns received $80,000 in government funding

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