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