Kiwi music has been given a $2.6 million dollar boost.
The increase was announced in today's budget, with the funding going towards increasing support for skills development, and taking NZ music overseas.
Kiwi musicians get $2.6 million funding boost Photo: Supplied
“New Zealand’s music culture is also an important facet of our identity,” Minister for the Arts Jacinda Ardern said in a statement. “This investment significantly increases support for our musicians to tour internationally, puts more resource into increasing New Zealand’s music exports, and increases opportunities for our young people to gain skills in the music sector.”
The extra funding will be put into the Outward Sound programme, overseen by the New Zealand Music Commission. Kiwi artists will be given more support to launch into global markets.
Outward Sound supports all genres of music and encompasses support for bands, songwriters, producers, composers, music companies and solo artists.
The funding is also to help the next generation of Kiwi musicians develop their skills.
The $2.6 million will be spread across the next four years.
Recent Outward Sound funded artists include Tiny Ruins, Anika Moa, Mel Parsons and Delaney Davidson.
Funding for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra remains unchanged at $14.6 million. In 2016 the NZSO, along with Royal New Zealand Ballet and Te Matatini were given an $11.6 million boost over four years. Within in that amount the NZSO received a funding boost of $1.2 million per year.
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