Fast Track Fellowship returns a second year for Victorian music artist managers

The Fast Track Fellowship program, which allows two Victorian artist managers to submerge themselves in an overseas management company for two months, is back for a second year thanks to the Victorian government.

The program – described by one of its inaugural 2018 recipients as “life changing” – is a partnership between the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) and the Association of Artist Managers (AAM).

AAM executive director Leanne de Souza tells TMN, “The Fast Track Fellowship is unique in the world as a professional development program for managers.

“We are super happy to have the support to offer this game-changing opportunity to another Victorian manager in 2019.”

The AAM currently has the highest Victorian membership; “we expect to see that increase this year,” de Souza adds.

Applications opened last Friday and close at midnight on Friday, February 8.

The recipient is announced on February 20.

Bonnie Dalton, general manager of the VMDO  (vmdo.com.au) says that the VMDO is committed to creating international pathways for Victorian music business professionals.

“Artist managers and independent labels support our music industry locally and internationally – they increase opportunities for artists and creating sustainable businesses for Victoria.

“The Fast Track Fellowship will enable significant skill development and experiences; and also build sustainable opportunities, networks and relationships within the international music business community.”

The program includes return flights, visas and insurance as well as financial support for accommodation, on ground logistics, per diems and registration fees for professional industry events.

The recipients from the inaugural 2018 Fast Track Fellowship were music managers: Charlotte Abroms of Hear Hear Music who worked at Everybody’s Management in London (Mumford & Sons, Laura Marllng) and Guy Blackman of Chapter Music who was in the US at Fort William Artist Management (Fleet Foxes, Beirut, The War On Drugs).

Abroms recalls: “I came back fully inspired and confident from having worked alongside a wonderful community of like-minded people.

“The organisational philosophy behind Everybody’s Management is similar to my own, their support by merely being in the same room was phenomenal.

“The AAM Fast Track Fellowship was truly a life-changing experience and changed my world.”

The VMDO also works with the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) to provide a similar opportunity for executives from indie labels.

Last year’s label reps were Tom Fraser (Pieater) and Amy Chapman (Wantok Musik) with the 2019 participant last month named as Rhianon Damas, pperations manager for Two Shoes Records and The Cat Empire.

The VMDO) is part of the Victorian Government’s $22.2 million Music Works strategy delivered by Music Victoria.