Twenty-three live music and performance venues across Canberra will receive in total just under $800,000 through the ACT Government’s Amp It Up! gig fund.
The program has been designed to support local musicians, technicians and venues as they continue to recover from the effects of COVID and as Canberra ventures into the traditionally quieter winter months.
A range of popular local venues across the city were successful under the program, including Smith’s Alternative, Ainslie + Gorman Arts Centres, Belconnen Bowls Club, UC Live, and the Harmonie German Club.
With the bar initially set at $700,000, due to the high level of interest in the program, the government increased the funding available to support as many venues as possible, with a total of $790,747 worth of funding approved.
Seven venues will each receive over $50,000 worth of funding, while the lowest individual grant offered was just under $9,000.
Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Tara Cheyne, said the program will support a range of gigs and performances from now until 30 November.
“Live music and performance venues are an important part of Canberra’s night-time economy and the character of our city. I look forward to seeing a diverse program of music and other live performances around Canberra as part of this initiative.”
MusicACT committee member Joel Tyrrell said the Amp It Up! gig fund is “definitely a huge step in the right direction”.
“As a musician, I have a big worry that if there isn’t more resources and support put into the arts, we could get two years down the track and we don’t have any performers here in Canberra or any venues in the city,” he said.
“We need more action happening in the city but if we don’t have support for the artists in the first place it doesn’t matter if we have venues to play.”
Venues were able to apply for a grant through the Amp It Up! fund to meet up to 100% of their expected costs between 1 June and 30 November 2021 for engaging artists and technicians, and up to 50% of their marketing and promotion costs.
Music ACT director Daniel Ballantyne said the funds will help “ignite” the capital’s nighttime economy.
“They will deliver fantastic new shows for hungry audiences,” he said. “People of Canberra, get out there and enjoy a live show!”
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