Press release
Minister Martin welcomes support for the Live Music Sector in new BAI funding round
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Minister Catherine Martin has today welcomed the BAI announcement of an open Sound and Vision funding round of €6.9m to support the production of content in the broadcasting, audio and audiovisual sector. This will incorporate ring-fenced funding that supports the live music sector.
Minister Martin, recognising the severe challenges faced by Irish musicians and the live music sector as a result of COVID-19, had asked the BAI to include a call for specific projects to support this sector in an open round of the Sound and Vision Scheme and provided €1.4m for this purpose.
Speaking today the Minister said:
“I am delighted that the BAI is putting this round in place which will complement the other initiatives my department has already put in place to support the live music sector. Musicians, in a sector severely damaged by the pandemic, need opportunities to perform. These new broadcasting grants will give their music a platform, especially at a time when the public really miss going to concerts. I look forward to enjoying the projects that will be made possible through the additional funding and am delighted that the open round will significantly benefit independent producers and broadcasters at this difficult time.”
Details of the round are available at BAI.ie.
ENDS
The €6.9m announced today includes the €1.4m allocated by the Minister to the BAI Broadcasting Fund in December 2020 for live music projects. This will assist in providing a platform for music industry professionals who would have predominately worked in the live music sector which has been severely impacted by COVID-19. It will allow for projects that will help musicians to connect with audiences through television and radio.
Further rounds will follow later in the year and the BAI will announce these as they arise. This funding is on top of supports already put in place in 2020.
Radio benefitted from a waiver of the broadcasting levy for the first half of 2020, worth €1m to the sector. A special €2.5m round of the Sound and Vision Fund for commercial radio, including local and regional stations, has also been distributed in 2020.
For audiovisual, the Minister secured additional funding of €2m in the July stimulus package and a further €1m in December bringing the amount available in the December round of Sound and Vision to €5.5m. This was on top of the €7m made available earlier in 2020 to the audiovisual sector under Sound and Vision.
Further details of the Broadcasting Fund including how to apply for these rounds will be published by the BAI in due course.