Music Australia has announced a new grant program for Australian record labels to support homegrown recording artists. The program aims to provide financial support to Australian record labels (including local subsidiaries of multinational labels), in discovering, developing, and promoting local talent by funding activities such as recordings, digital content, marketing, artist development, and business development activities.
To apply for the Music Australia Record Label Development Scheme, you must first ensure you meet the pre-application criteria by completing the eligibility check in the Application Management System.
The pre-application process will also determine the amount your label is eligible to apply for. To be eligible for the RLDS, the record label must be Australian or an Australian subsidiary, have at least three active Australian artists with a minimum of 5,000 followers each, have released 5 singles and 1 EP or LP in the last 12 months, and provide signed financial statements from the last two fiscal years.
Applicants must comply with Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts, and the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
The Eligibility check closes on Tuesday 8 October 2024, 3pm AEDT.
Full applications close Tuesday 12 November 2024, 3pm AEDT.
Note: The funded activity must start between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 and be completed within 18 months.
Grants are available from $10,000 to $150,000 to eligible Australian record labels, and Australian subsidiaries of multinational record labels, that have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.
In addition, a mandatory 10% artist creation fee will be added to the grant amount for eligible activities to cover creative and artistic services provided by the artists for the project.
This includes recording activities and video production that features the recording artist.
Eligible activities and costs that may be applied for include:
The assessment process will use Industry Advisors, with relevant label experience. The assessment criteria includes project:
Music Australia will consider eligible applications through an open competitive grant process. All applicants must be pre-approved, via an eligibility check process in advance of the closing date. Once approved, applications will be invited to submit a full application.
To apply for the grant, applicants must be registered in the Creative Australia application management system a minimum of two business days prior to the closing date.
Please note: Registrations take up to two business days to process.
For comprehensive details, eligibility requisites, and guidance on the grant application process, we invite prospective applicants to get in touch with our experienced Gild R&D Incentives & Grants team here.