Australian acts that were told they would receive funding support to attend Popkomm in Berlin this year have been caught short after the funding was pulled after the conference was cancelled but the tours were already booked.
Popkomm was going to happen in September but was cancelled last month.Australian acts who were going to attend the conference and tour the region under the banner The Great Australian Wave had been told that they were approved for funding support from Vic Roc, a branch of Arts Victoria and grabbed cheap airfares while they were available.
After buying the non-refundable tickets, Popkomm was cancelled and their government support withdrawn leaving them all close to broke with a tour they have to pay all of themselves.
Steve Iorio, the 0rganiser of the Great Australian Wave had this to say.
“As some of you know, Arts Victoria have pulled funding after granting the funding for the Great Australian Wave. When you check out the www.greataustralianwave.com and the Blind Beatroot Site, and old blogs on this site, www.blindbeatroot.blogspot.com you will see what is going on.
In a statement from The Great Australian Wave, they write “I personally think that the risk to bands, and their futures are at stake here. I also believe that since private individuals like Stephen, Renate and all the Aussie bands that have started spending money that was promised in the grant approval letter from the office from the Minister for the Arts, Lynne Kosky MP dated on June 10th, that the Minister should live up to the promise, and signature, and help with what may seem like not much money to a government, $10,000, but is a serious lifeline for a battling musician who has already committed money to promote be at an event”.
How do you feel about this government back flip?
If you want to help, just write a letter to:
Minister for the Art (state of Victoria)"The Hon. Lynn Kosky" lynne.kosky@parliament.vic.gov.au
Ms Penny Hutchinson Director of Arts Victoria
penny.hutchinson@dpc.vic.gov.au
Jonathan Williamson, Vic Rock (branch of Arts Victoria)
jonathan.williamson@dpc.vic.gov.au
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