Melbourne will join the ranks of cities like Berlin and Memphis to lead an international discussion about the extensive role music plays in cities socially, culturally and economically, becoming the first city outside Europe and the US to do so.
The Music Cities Convention is the largest and most extensive gathering of its kind, bringing together government, academic and music industry leaders from around the world. It showcases best practices in the use of music to improve city life across education, employment, community building, licensing, and regulation.
The presentation of the Melbourne Music Cities Convention is being supported with $250,000 in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 as part of a multi-faceted $22.2 million initiative providing strategic investment in local music venues and businesses, market development, music tourism initiatives, regional touring, career pathways and professional opportunities for musicians, technicians, and others working in the industry.
The event will be held in April next year and is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from around the world. It will be delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government and peak industry body Music Victoria.