MUSIC INDUSTRY SUPPORT INFORMATION

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​Here is the next update, from the music industry organisations – sharing with our Pacific community to keep you informed and connected:
  
Financial assistance available
We want to make sure everyone knows about the financial assistance available to them in these challenging times. Below is a round up of info, eligibility, what you get, and links to apply for the WINZ government subsidy, the Creative NZ Emergency Relief Grant, and the MusicHelps Emergency Grant. 
Two particular things to note: 

1)     The Creative NZ grant is open to a wide variety of ‘arts practitioners’, which includes not only the ‘artists’ themselves, but also those who are involved in bringing those art forms to the public, whose main source of income is derived from an arts practice. So this could include musicians and songwriters, as well as producers, engineers, managers, live crew, stage managers, publicists etc. Please check out the info from Creative NZ, and contact them if you’re not sure about your eligibility.

2)     The MusicHelps Emergency Grant is officially open for applications, but due to the large volume of applications received this morning, they have temporarily stopped taking applications while this first batch are processed. The application form will be live again at 5pm today.  
https://apraamcos.co.nz/news/2020/april/financial-assistance-during-covid-19/
 
There was also an excellent financial and accounting advice online seminar hosted by MMF NZ with Jeni Rowney from Entertainment Accounting last week. They provided advice and answers to questions about the various grants, and their tax implications , as well as sharing general advice about your accounting practices as artists. You can watch the video back here: 
https://www.facebook.com/MMFNewZealand/videos/153361826094012/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
 

Recorded Music NZ Distribution
And on the subject of paperwork, Recorded Music NZ is calling all Direct-to-Recording Artist Registered Artists and Labels to make sure they have registered all new recordings released in 2019 with Recorded Music NZ prior to the deadline of 30th April 2020 for the 2019 calendar year distribution. This is more important than ever as it will assist Recorded Music to make an accurate and timely distribution. To register your recordings please do this by visiting your Recorded Music artist login page or contacting their member services team by email.
 
Government announces Tax Changes to Support NZ Business
The Government announced a further set of tax proposals to help businesses manage the impacts of COVID-19. Some of this information may be of assistance to you and your music business. Fact sheets and the full Government announcement is here.
   
NZ Music Month – it’s happening
NZ Music Month kicks off on Friday, May 1st and the theme for this year is simple: Support Local. Stream Local. Follow Local. Buy Local.
This May marks the twentieth NZ Music Month, and while a big month of live events and retrospection was planned, the world has changed a lot in the past month – so NZ Music Month 2020 is set to look a little different to usual. 
Initiatives planned for NZ Music Month 2020 range from digitally streamed events, radio specials, online seminars and hui. Plans include live-streams to showcase emerging talent; IMNZ’s Going Local series; MMF NZ’s annual NZ Music Month Summit; NZ music specials across a variety of radio stations; a Holiday Records competition to be the first 7 inch pressed in NZ since 1987; and many virtual festivals. 
Check out more info here: https://www.nzmusic.org.nz/news/commission/nz-music-month-2020-its-on-the-way/
 

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