BMG launches Indigenous scholarship program with University of Newcastle

BMG is backing an Indigenous scholarship program to support youngsters dreaming of a career in the music industry.

In what’s billed as an Australian-first, BMG and the University of Newcastle today announced a first round of Indigenous scholarships, which are hoped will pave the way for the next generation of music professionals.

Through the partnership, two scholarships are offered each year for an initial three-year period, based in the Newcastle’s School of Creative Industries in the Faculty of Education and Arts.

Places are open to Indigenous students enrolled in the University’s School of Creative Industries, plus fifth-year Law students.

The scholarships, explains a statement issued Tuesday, will enable recipients to learn from some of the “world’s biggest and most-established artists and music industry professionals.”

A report published in 2015 by the Australia Council for the Arts found that First Nations people accounted for just 2.1 per cent of Australians working in creative industries.

BMG and UoN hope to change that.

Through the innovative partnership, Heath Johns, BMG Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, tells TIO, “we learned that not only does the UoN have the highest Indigenous student base in the country but that their Wollotuka Institute is widely regarded as a leader in Indigenous education at a local, international and global level.”

Johns has a close connection with University of Newcastle. He’s a graduate.

BMG

After discussing this scholarship program, “we floated the idea to BMG HQ in Berlin and it was met with rapid and unanimous support at Board level,” Johns explains. “In fact, we were encouraged to not only expand the scope of the scholarships but we were given multi-year funding to ensure that the program delivers on the intended outcomes. As our growth story suggests, BMG is truly committed to the Australian market and the support of these scholarships show that the commitment is as much about culture as it is commerce.”

A partnership and scholarships like this one with BMG “will have tremendous outcomes for Indigenous students with a passion for the music industry,” explains Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, Nathan Towney.

Currently, explains Towney, the university boasts more than 1,500 Indigenous graduates.

His colleague Professor Paul Egglestone, Head of the School of Creative Industries, continues, “By expanding our partnership with BMG, together we can play a meaningful role in providing opportunity for Indigenous students who have a passion for the creative industries, and ultimately improve employment outcomes for Indigenous peoples.”

Applications are open, and scholarships will be awarded next year based on academic achievements and career aspirations.

Visit BMG Indigenous Music Industry Scholarship – Creative Industries or Law for more.

The initiative is an extension to BMG’s commitment and pledge to “play our part in addressing historical injustices inflicted on black people.”

At the height of the “Black Lives Matter” movement earlier this year, the music company issued a promise to address diversity in its workplace and to review all historic record contracts, noting the industry’s “record of shameful treatment of black artists.”

The full-service music company launched in 2008 and established its brand in Australia in 2016 when it bought the celebrated indie Alberts.

BMG’s domestic roster that includes artists and songwriters such as Peking Duk, Chet Faker, Dope Lemon, Alison Wonderland, Crowded House, Dune Rats, Golden Features, Winston Surfshirt, CHAII, Hockey Dad, What So Not, Kwame, Tim Minchin and Julia Stone.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.