Government-backed Indigenous music programme launches

APRA AMCOS is to launch a programme to develop, support and nurture Aboriginal musicians across NSW, funded to the tune of $65,000 by the NSW Government.

The funding for the project has come from the NSW Government as part of its Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy.

Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant says, “There’s no reason why Aboriginal musicians from NSW can’t emulate the success of well-known musicians such as Dan Sultan, Gurrumul, Casey Donovan, The Last Kinection and Jessica Mauboy.

“This funding will help APRA AMCOS develop a project to help Aboriginal musicians from four regional towns and one urban area to develop their skills, promote their work and access mainstream music markets.”

This announcement follows news from the budget last night which revealed that the Federal Government will consolidate its Indigenous affairs programmes in order to slash costs by $534.4m over a five-year period. More than 150 Indigenous projects will report into the Prime Minister’s office and streamlined into a new ‘advancement strategy’.

Meanwhile, however, singer-songwriter Jessica Mauboy, has praised the APRA/AMCOS programme’s focus on developing musician’s creative and industry skills in regional areas.

“I am thrilled APRA AMCOS and the NSW Government are running this project for Aboriginal musicians. It’s great that regional areas are being targeted; they often don’t get the same opportunities as people in the city.

This project will build confidence in young musicians. And that’s key to writing a song, getting up on stage and being heard,” she said.

Photo Credit L-R: Brett Cottle (APRA AMCOS CEO), Leah Flanagan, (songwriter/musician/APRA AMCOS Ambassador), NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello, NSW Minister for Arts Troy Grant