Overview

Music Works Grants supports Victorian-based contemporary music industry artists or industry professionals across all genres and career stages to undertake projects with creative and/or commercial outcomes. Funding can be used for the creation of new works, collaboration and partnerships, professional development, marketing, tour support, and more.

Focus Areas

Uncovering Talent ($5,000) is for first-time grant recipients and encourages applications from early career artists. It is for music industry professionals to undertake creative projects and professional development opportunities.

Evolve and Export ($10,000-$20,000) encourages innovation in music creation and reaching new markets. It is for music industry professionals with a proven track record to undertake creative projects and professional development opportunities.

Streams

Each focus area has three streams:

1. First Peoples Stream
   Victorian First Peoples applications will be assessed in alignment with Aboriginal self-determination by a First Peoples assessment panel.
2. Deaf and Disabled Stream
   Victorian deaf and disabled music industry professionals or music industry businesses or organisations will be assessed by a panel of music industry peers with lived experience of Deafness and Disability.
3. General Stream
   All other applications will be assessed by a panel made up of a diverse range of music industry peers.

Funding available

The 2024 round of Music Works is now closed

Who can apply?

This program accepted applications from individuals, groups/collectives which met Creative Victoria's general eligibility and the following program eligibility:

• You’re a Victorian based contemporary music industry professional (individuals, collectives/groups, or micro to small organisations), including artists/bands, managers, promoters, labels and other music industry business and organisations.
• You have an active ABN.
• Unincorporated associations and collectives will need to either apply under auspice, or have an individual apply on behalf of the group.
• You’re only submitting one application (including under auspice). Auspice bodies may apply on behalf of multiple applicants.

Note: The Uncovering Talent focus area is for applicants who have never received Creative Victoria funding before except for direct recipients of grants from the COVID support programs listed in the guidelines.

Please speak to program staff if you are unsure about your eligibility.

How can I apply?

Applications closed at 3pm on Thursday, 18 April 2024.

The dates for the next round of Music Works are still to be confirmed and will be published here in the coming months.

Who can I talk to?

For help with translations please call the Translating and Interpreting Service

• Phone TIS National 131450
• Visit the Translating and Interpreting website

Guidelines and tools

Successful applications

If your funding application is successful, you’ll receive a funding agreement outlining the conditions for funding, payment information and reporting requirements.

See Information for current recipients

Notification of funding outcomes

There’s a high level of demand for Creative Victoria funding, so we recommend that you plan for contingencies if your application is unsuccessful (e.g. other funding sources). Please don’t make commitments based on the assumption that you’ll receive funding until you’ve received written confirmation of your final funding outcome.

Funding recommendations are subject to approval by the Minister for Creative Industries. Feedback on your application is provided at Creative Victoria’s discretion and may not be available when you receive notification of your funding outcome.

Payment of grants

Program funding payments are conditional on you meeting your obligations under your Funding Agreement with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, including fulfilling any payment milestone outcomes or deliverables set out in the Funding Agreement.