The Seed Fund’s Management Workshop Returns in 2025
After a five-year hiatus, The Seed Fund’s Management Workshop is making a grand return in 2025.
This time, it’s taking place at The Robertson Hotel in Robertson, regional NSW, from November 29th to December 1st.
Established by music industry icons John Butler, Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin), and Stacia Goninon, the workshop is set to provide an immersive, hands-on experience for emerging music managers, self-managed artists, and those looking to deepen their industry knowledge.
The workshop, which has played a pivotal role in shaping careers across Australia’s music industry, has just unveiled its impressive first round of mentors.
The lineup includes some of the country’s top music minds, including Cath Haridy (Bob Evans, Emily Wurramara), John Watson (Missy Higgins, Midnight Oil), Elefant Traks founder Tim Levinson (aka Urthboy), Linda Bosidis of Mushroom Music, Concord Music Publishing MD Jaime Gough, Sony Music Australia’s Vanessa Picken, and acclaimed Butchulla songman Fred Leone, an alum of The Seed Fund program.
“In a time where artist managers and self-managed artists are predominantly working in silos, facing a barrage of long-standing and new challenges, opportunities to intentionally come together and form personal and professional connections is incredibly valuable,” says The Seed Fund’s Managing Director Stacia Goninon.
“The Seed Management Workshop offers something crucial in the ecosystem, an immersive experience that bigger conferences can’t offer, which creates a hive mind working towards the common goal of a thriving community and industry…we all leave transformed. The workshop serves as a training and design opportunity to address the cultural and creative sectors skills shortages. The artist is the centre of the industry and managers (including self-managed artists) are pivotal in its success.”
Designed to offer more than just traditional mentorship, the workshop allows its 35 participants to actively engage with these mentors, gaining insights into the mentors’ real-time challenges, processes, and philosophies. Participants will also connect with each other as a cohort, fostering a strong support network that is vital in today’s competitive music industry.
Since its inception, The Seed Fund’s Management Workshop has been a launchpad for many prominent industry figures, including this year’s mentors Fred Leone and Cath Haridy, as well as names like Jen Cloher, Andrew Stone, Jodie Regan, and Maggie Collins.
This workshop’s return in 2025 comes at a critical time for the Australian music industry, where the need for skilled, resilient, and community-focused leaders has never been greater. Partnering with Create NSW, The Seed Fund ensures that this program remains accessible and impactful.
Applications are open now, closing on Tuesday, November 12th. With only 35 spots available, aspiring managers and artists are encouraged to apply soon for the opportunity to engage with some of the best minds in the industry.
For more information and to apply, visit The Seed Fund website.