NZ On Air has recently launched a new music funding programme to invest in a greater diversity of New Zealand music. The scheme, called Making Tracks, will contribute $2 million a year towards at least 200 new Kiwi songs - 200 single track recording projects and 200 music videos a year. It replaces three previous funding schemes, which together funded 50 recording projects and 170 music videos a year.
"Making Tracks is a major overhaul of our music funding. It will create more opportunity for more artists to record great songs for a wider range of New Zealand audiences," said NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson.
To prepare for Making Tracks, NZ On Air closed down its album and new recording funding schemes earlier this year. "These days, radio, music television and digital media play singles and that is the way most people consume music," Ms Wrightson said. "By focusing on singles, and limiting funding to three grants a year per artist, we will be able to make support available to a wider range of music."
The new scheme follows a review commissioned by NZ On Air to assess the state of the domestic music industry, its funding support and audience demand. "Making Tracks is guided by this report, combined with our own interpretation of where we can best meet our broadcasting-focused legislated purpose," Ms Wrightson said.
See the full scheme details here .