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.

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.

The term ‘contemporary music’ can mean a variety of things to a variety of people. Australian contemporary music is defined as music that is currently being written, recorded and performed by Australians. Its genres would include (but would not be limited to) blues, country, electronic/dance, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, jazz, metal, pop, rock, roots, and world.

- As defined by the Federal Government’s Strategic Contemporary Music Industry Plan, 2010.

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

You can see a list grant opportunities in the 'Directory' page of our website.

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.

Music Victoria has advertising available on our website and in our monthly newsletter.

View our advertising kit here.
To enquire about advertsing your business or event on Music Victoria, please email us here.

The Music Victoria Board features representatives from leading national and Victorian support bodies as well as artists, lawyers, planning and policy specialists, and management. For more information on the members of the board click here.

Music Victoria is governed by Rules of Association. You can read those rules here.

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