Victoria’s musicians and industry workers have six initiatives to move their careers forward or provide them with help.
Lighthouse Award
The Lighthouse Award grants $5,000 to a female manager who exhibits passion, creativity and integrity. It was set up by APRA AMCOS in memory of Linda Gebar who died in October 2008. One of the few female managers in the ‘90s, she worked with The Killjoys, Frente and The Blackeyed Susans. She also booked the Punters Club, ran a record label and worked at PBS FM and APRA AMCOS. Eligibility criteria and application details for the Lighthouse Award are available on the APRA AMCOS website. Applications close April 18 with the winner announced in May.
Music Passport
The Association of Artist Managers Australia (AAM), with the support of Creative Victoria, is sending at least two emerging artist managers to the US in June, where they’ll be joined by a globally experienced manager to show them the ropes. The idea is to create global opportunities, knowledge and connections. The trip, in association with music export body Sounds Australia, will include attending Sync Summit 2019, Indie Week 2019 and Libera Awards. Applications close on Sunday March 31, with recipients announced on Monday April 8. Guidelines and applications at aam.org.au.
Gimme Shelter
The Association of Artist Managers Australia with support of Creative Victoria, has a world first professional development program for 15 Vic music managers. Gimme Shelter is designed to equip them with certified training over three months to build workplace skills, resilience and long-term strategies for the mental health and wellbeing of themselves and their artists. It includes an immersive two-day retreat, a guided mentorship with a psychologist and funded accredited training.
Six indie labels for Midem
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) and the state government’s Creative Victoria and Victorian Music Development Office will see four established and two emerging label reps receive fully funded Midem 2019 conference registration. Emerging label recipients also get complimentary return economy airfares to France, five nights accommodation and travel insurance. Midem is held in June in Cannes. AIR is seeking expressions of interest from established labels (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/midem2019_established) and emerging ones (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/midem2019_emerging) by Sunday March 31.
Bootcamp in China
The Victorian Music Development Office is sending two music professionals to China in April to attend the Music Cities Convention Chengdu and a professional boot camp organised by international development and accreditation program CLOCK, where they validate their skills and experience with formal qualification credits. The application deadline has passed, but for further information contact them at [email protected].
Road Crews get government funding
The Victorian government has given a $100,000 to Support Act Ltd towards its help for road crews. They’re more likely to suffer depression and suicidal thoughts in the music industry, with only 1% receiving health insurance and 3% provided superannuation. The recent Roady4Roadie national fundraising day raised $50,000. Venue operator AEG Ogden also donated a substantial amount for Support Act for road crews.
