To prepare for Making Tracks, NZ On Air closed down its album and new recording funding schemes earlier this year.

Applications for Making Tracks opened on 3 June and will be taken monthly (except January and December).

About Making Tracks:

 For the last 10 years, NZ On Air has provided three funding schemes: funding for recording albums, funding radio singles by new artists, and making music videos. From 1 July, 2011 these three funding schemes will be merged into one scheme to fund individual tracks and music videos.

 Making Tracks will fund at least 200 projects a year  200 single track recording projects and 200 music videos. In the first year, an extra one-off $500,000 will enable the funding of a further 50 projects.
 Artists can apply for up to $10,000 per song: up to $4,000 to record the work and $6,000 make a music video to back up the release of that song.

 Artists can receive up to three grants each year.

 Songs will be chosen by a panel of broadcasters and music experts from around the country who will meet monthly and make funding recommendations.

 Before applying for funding, artists must meet set criteria to prove they are committed and motivated and have developed an audience following.

 About 60% of the grants (150 in the first year) will be for projects aimed at commercial radio, and 40% will be tracks aimed at alternative and online platforms.

When: Tuesday 23 August
Time: 6pm  8pm
Where: Room L234, upstairs Rakaia Centre, (level 2, Eastern side)