BMG announces Indigenous scholarship arrangement with University of Newcastle

Global music label BMG has continued its partnership with the University of Newcastle to launch a round of scholarships for Indigenous students.

Two scholarships will be available each year for an initial three years, open to Indigenous students enrolled in either the university’s School of Creative Industries or in their fifth year of law studies.

In addition to a lump-sum payment, the scholarships will see recipients work alongside BMG’s roster of artists and its staff in its Surry Hills headquarters. BMG’s roster currently includes artists such as Chet Faker, Alison Wonderland, Kwame and Crowded House.

In a statement, BMG’s managing director Heath Johns said an increase in diversity among the ranks within the music industry is long overdue.

“BMG want to help drive that change and close the gap in the music industry, and that begins by BMG taking an active lead in inspiring a new generation of First Nations music executives,” he said.

“We have a local industry rich in incredible Indigenous music talent but it’s imperative that the executive pool in our industry follows suit.”

The school’s Professor Paul Egglestone added: “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 for the scholarships are now open and will be awarded in 2021.

The scholarship announcement follows a pre-existing relationship between the label and the university, which has included multiple collaborative projects.