Press release
Minister Catherine Martin, T.D., announces funding under Music Industry Stimulus Package
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
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D., today announced an increase in the Music Industry Stimulus Package, key supports designed to stimulate song writing, recording and album releases.
The amount of funding for 2020 for the package is being increased from €1 million to €1.7 million. This follows an exceptional number of applications received to the open call for the music support grants which was open for just one month.
Minister Martin said:
“Given the exceptionally strong response to the Music Industry Stimulus Package with 1,795 applications received, I have decided to increase funding for the package to ensure musicians can continue to develop and share their work in the context of COVID restrictions.”
The Minister’s announcement coincides with the issue of initial funding decisions which will support 79 song writing camps and 56 new album releases.
Minister Martin added:
“These initial €725,000 funding awards support those working in the music industry including musicians, engineers, public relations, media, agents, labels and publishers as well as ensuring national and international listeners can still enjoy our great musicians work.”
The Music Industry Support Package covers song writing camps, recordings and album releases. It was introduced after the cessation of live performances, which reduced incomes for musicians that normally was invested in developing new material, recording and releasing albums.
The funding decisions being announced today relate to song writing and releases. Given the high volume of applications for recording support, decisions for this scheme, with funding of close to €1 million, will now be announced in mid-November.
This Music Industry Stimulus Package is being managed on behalf of the Department by First Music Contact (FMC).
Minister Martin added:
“I hope this extra spending for musicians and artists to continue creating this year-which is before more measures are rolled out in 2021-will help meet the significant demand for help received by my Department.”