Josh Pyke, Leah Flanagan Lead Music Australia Council Appointments

Recording artists Josh Pyke and Leah Flanagan are fresh appointments to the Music Australia Council, while Mama Kin’s Danielle Caruana and Dr Sophie Payten (aka Gordi) are re-appointed.

Announced today, August 7th by the Albanese Labor Government, the Council spots “allow for strong industry representation to continue and to further advance the important work of Creative Australia and the implementation of Revive.”

The appointments are for two-year terms.

“Appointing the right mix of skills and experience to the Council ensures Music Australia continues to deliver what the industry needs to grow and realise its potential, at home and internationally,” comments Minister for the Arts Tony Burke.

“It’s essential that Australian musicians and industry experts themselves have a seat at the table – and that’s what these appointments will achieve.

“With their dedication, passion and expertise in Australian music, the appointees will make sure that Australian music is the soundtrack to life in Australia.”

The eight-strong advisory council, effectively the board of Music Australia, provides strategic direction for Music Australia in its work to support and grow Australia’s contemporary music sector, and was first presented in 2023.

Music Australia is a key element of Australia’s new national cultural policy, Revive, and operates with a remit to support and grow the country’s contemporary music sector, through strategic initiatives and industry partnerships, research, skills development and export promotion, and more.

Music Australia sits under Creative Australia – formerly the Australia Council for the Arts – and was established under the Creative Australia Act 2023, which was enshrined into law in June.

It’s funded to the tune of more than $69 million over four years.

Under Revive, unveiled in January 2023, and warmly received by the music industry, the Albanese Labor Government laid out its road map for Australian arts and culture, and put “the arts back where they’re meant to be – at the heart of our national life,” the prime minister said at the time.

Read more on the National Cultural Policy here.