Musicians' Rights in Tasmania
Arts Tasmania has run dedicated support for contemporary musicians through its Contemporary Music Fund. Here's what's on offer for Tasmanian musicians and where to turn for fair pay and legal help.
Tasmania's arts body has run dedicated support for contemporary musicians, and while the island is not on the national fair-pay endorsement list, the $250 benchmark is still the number to hold to.
The state body: Arts Tasmania
Arts Tasmania is the state funding body. Its Tasmanian Contemporary Music Fund delivered real money for recording and video projects: "The Minister for the Arts has announced funding of $255,041 for 22 projects." Browse current programs on the Arts Tasmania grants page, and the industry body Music Tasmania advocates locally.
Fair pay: the $250 minimum fee
The national benchmark for what you should be paid comes from Musicians Australia: "A minimum fee is a fee floor, for any musician, playing anywhere, for any audience." Tasmania is not currently among the governments Musicians Australia lists as having endorsed the fee, though the benchmark still applies to your gigs wherever you play.
Legal help: contracts, disputes and your rights
For anything involving a contract, unpaid fees or a dispute, the Arts Law Centre of Australia is the first stop for most musicians. Their telephone advice service is free for eligible individual artists. Musicians Australia members can also get support chasing unpaid fees.
Resources
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