We’ve had a huge year here at MusicNSW, and we’d like to thank our numerous partners, events speakers and performers, the wider industry and to everyone who’s shown support for us in 2018, whether it’s been through attending our events, applying for our grants or signing up to our new membership.
In 2018, we…
- Launched our new membership system, with brand new industry benefits from the likes of Studios 301, Happy Mag and GYROstream.
- Revamped our website with new resources for musicians, including downloadable best practise guides, a music industry directory, masterclass videos and heaps more.
- Celebrated 20 years of MusicNSW! We took a look back at our history with the #HBMNSW campaign, heard from artists and industry we’ve supported and listened to some of the amazing music that’s come out of our state over the years.
- Called on the NSW government alongside more than 60 music industry representatives to include the music industry in discussions around festival safety.
- Rallied the music industry to make submissions into the NSW parliamentary inquiry into music. The resulting report from the inquiry outlined 60 recommendations including the support for MusicNSW to conduct activities such as establishing a Music Development Office, promoting live and all-ages gigs, conducting a live music venue census every two years, and showcasing regional venues, artists and industry.
- Funded 19 artists and managers attending career development opportunities like BIGSOUND. Kwame, Rachel Maria Cox and TOTTY were among the recipients of our Opportunity Development Grants for 2018.
- Ran our Indent Event Development Grants program, which provides up to $5,000 for all-ages music events. The recipients of the grant will be announced shortly.
- Introduced one-on-one grant support sessions for applicants to our funding programs.
- Heard the ins-and-outs of the music industry from Alex The Astronaut, Ruby Fields,
Clypso and more at FEEDBACK: A music conference for young people held in partnership with Vivid Sydney. - Went on tour with The VANNS, The Nah and local support bands around regional NSW. Our all-ages Indent Tour for 2018 was put on by crews of young people in Bega, Moruya, Byron Bay, Newcastle and Port Macquarie.
- Learnt about DJing, production, engineering and more at our Women In Electronic Music Masterclasses for 2018. Over two days at 107 Projects we held eight masterclasses taught by HABITS, Antonia Gauci, Ninajirachi and more, in partnership with
FBi Radio. - Demystified topics from synch and publishing to party planning, booking gigs and career planning, through free panels, networking sessions, talks and masterclasses in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong as part of our Sound Advice program.
- Met artists and industry through consultations around NSW including Wagga Wagga and Camden.
- Supported countless partner programs like Youth Rock, Rockin’ The
Puburbs , All Girl Electronic and Tracks.
2019 is looking to be another big year for MusicNSW, with the expanded delivery of our key programs.
There are also some great new initiatives in the pipeline, including a brand new all-ages gig series at 107 Projects in Redfern and a new regional music program!
The 2019 State Election is also coming up in March, which will see MusicNSW putting pressure on all political parties to form meaningful, strategic music policies. The NSW Labor Party is gearing up already, announcing yesterday that they’re backing in principle all of the recommendations from the recent Parliamentary Inquiry. We look forward to seeing music policies from all parties – but that will only happen if everyone joins us in demanding better support for contemporary music. Get ready to rally – there are only 100 days left to the election! Stay tuned…
MusicNSW will be taking a little breather before reopening our office on January 7, 2019. Happy holidays!
