FAQs

Music Victoria exists to support the growth, participation and development of the Victorian contemporary music industry.

It aims to be broadly inclusive of the contemporary music industry across all music genres, industry sectors and professions and to be accessible for metropolitan and regional Victoria. In all its activities, it aims to add value to music makers.

Victoria has an incredible musical resonance – it attracts, supports and creates a cultural community that is recognised nationally and internationally as unique and valuable both economically and culturally. We need to protect and develop this.

The recent issues affecting Victoria’s live music venues have shown just how important it is for music in this state to have an organisation representing its interests to ensure that talented individuals and businesses in our music community continue to flourish and that the voice of this community is included in the decision making processes of Government and the community at large.

Contemporary music is defined as music that is currently being written, recorded and performed.

There are no clear boundaries however it generally includes music of all genres written in the 20^th and 21^st centuries and doesn’t include opera or classical music composed prior to the 20^th century.

In February 2010 the Victorian Government pledged an initial $250,000 to assist in the set-up and initial running costs of Music Victoria. In May 2011, the Coalition Government funded Music Victoria $500,000 over two years, with the expectation it will work towards self-sustainability.

Music Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation which relies on a mix of Government funding, membership fees, private and corporate sponsorship and donations to exist.

You can become a member here or make a donation here.

Music Victoria exists to support and represent the Victorian music industry and community. You can read a copy of our strategic plan here.

• Promotion and celebration of Victorian artists, music businesses and the industry as a whole.
• Professional development for Victorian artists and music businesses as well as the development of the industry as a whole, including implementing a program to arm artists with the requisite skills to run their music careers as successful and sustainable small businesses.
• Leading the development of a regional Victoria touring circuit to assist musicians with touring regional area and addressing barriers that regional musicians face trying to break into the capital city markets around Australia.
• Provide programs in partnership with the Sounds Australia music export initiative to develop pathways to put more Victorian musicians on the world stage.
• Advocacy on behalf of the Victorian music industry to all levels of Government and the wider community.

Yes, Music Victoria is a not-for-profit and a charity becuse it is deemed that our purpose for existance, is for the public benefit.

We do not operate for the profit, personal gain or benefit of any particular people, instead existing to support the growth, participation and development of the Victorian contemporary music industry. You can read more about this in our Association Rules here.

We are listed with the ACNC (Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission), have Deducitable Gift recipient status and are exempt from paying Income Tax.

This also means that any surplus that we post at the end of any financial year, any any reserves we accumilate, can only ever be used to further our purpose (even if we close down any remaining money must go to a not-for-profit/charitable organisation doing similar work).

Yes! We are a registered charity – if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation you can do so here. Thank you. We value your contribution immensely.

Music Victoria is a non-profit organisation which relies on limited resources and income from various sources.

Music Victoria receives operational funding from the State Government of Victoria (Creative Victoria), the Australian Government (Australia Council for the Arts), APRA AMCOS, membership fees and other smaller sources. Music Victoria has achieved much over the last 12 months (see our achievements page) and continues to open doors for, skill and represent the music community.

Music Victoria does not distribute grants, but there are numerous funding opportunities available to contemporary musicians in Victoria.

Our advice is to prepare well in advance and consult the relevant organisations for advice. Well thought-out grants can take up to 40 hours work. You don’t have to complete it in one go – you can usually work on them online and save them for a later date.

The judging panels are not looking for a press release; they want a well thought-out project plan and a practical budget that balances. It’s a good idea to bounce your ideas off someone else for an objective opinion.

Most funding panels are comprised of musicians, so bear in mind your peers will be judging it. Don’t be intimidated and don’t lose faith if you get rejected. You can ask for constructive feedback from the organisation and submit an improved application somewhere else.

If you are paying a grant writer, make sure you give them all of the necessary relevant information, and ask them for testimonials from successful applicants they have previously worked for.

To register your interest in volunteering, sponsorship, to contribute your ideas or highlight relevant issues please contact Music Victoria at info@musicvictoria.com.au

Anyone can become a member of Music Victoria. Music lovers, performers, bands, venues, small businesses… The list goes on!

As a member, you not only make a financial contribution to and support the work of Music Victoria but can fully participate in the activities of the Association, including voting rights at Annual General Meetings and members-only invites and offers.

To see the full list of benefits and to become a member of Music Victoria, go here.

Music Victoria and the VMDO acknowledge the complexity of terminology that relates to a person’s identity, ancestry, ability, sexual orientation and gender, and appreciates respondents who engage with this question. Learn more about our Demographics and Identity questions here.

By entering an event or program of Music Victoria, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur.

Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with Music Victoria and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising.

By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.

You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event premises or contact Music Victoria at info@musicvictoria.com.au.