NZMIC: The launch of Outward Sound

NZ Music Industry Commission Statement

Friday 9 December

The NZ Music Industry Commission today announced the launch of Outward Sound, an international music market development grants programme. The NZ Government has explored the establishment of such a scheme for some time, and today’s announcement unveiling Outward Sound is the culmination of several years’ consultation with the NZ music industry.

Outward Sound will provide assistance for market development initiatives to encourage the entry of New Zealand music and musicians into global markets.

"Outward Sound has been created to get more Kiwi music out into the world", says Hon Judith Tizard, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. "There is huge potential for far greater exports of our music, and the cultural and economic importance of New Zealand having its voice heard on the world stage is undeniable."

New Zealand music industry practitioners and firms will be able to apply to Outward Sound for assistance with the implementation of a range of international market development activities including expenditure related to market visits; in-market representation; publicity and promotion; marketing materials; showcases, trade fairs and other events; and market research.

“This Government believes creative industries are a vital plank in growing an innovative New Zealand, and they are a high growth sector in our economy”, says Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister For Economic Development. “This scheme represents what we believe is one of the best ways of assisting an industry in moving forward and growing to realise it’s full potential.”

Implemented and managed by the NZ Music Industry Commission, the Outward Sound programme is inclusive of music from all genres, styles, and niches with applicants able to target relevant markets around the world. Applicants at different stages of international development can access the programme, which is made up of three incremental modular phases described as Market Scoping, Performance Oriented Support, and Market Infiltration.

ENDS

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