Bonnie Dalton named GM of new Victorian Music Development Office

Melbourne-based artist manager and festival producer Bonnie Dalton has been named as the inaugural general manager of the new Victorian Music Development Office, which opens on July 1.

Set up as part of the state government’s $22.2 million Music Works strategy, the Victorian Music Development Office will see Dalton working with artists to foster sustainable music industry careers, partner with music organisations and businesses to take advantage of new growth opportunities and build Victoria’s global music brand.

Dalton says: “The Victorian Music Development Office will be an incredible resource for Victorian music and I’m thrilled to be heading it up.

“I look forward to working with our industry to make the most of the wonderful opportunities this new office presents for artists and the music businesses that support them.”

For the past 15 years, she has worked in artist management, production, programming and export.

A recipient of Lighthouse Award, she managed Little Red, The Vasco Era, Husky and more recently Ali Barter.

As a producer, Dalton helped develop St Jerome’s Laneway festival and worked in senior management at Falls festival.

She has programmed lineups at a range of festivals and events including the Lost Lands, Queenscliff’s Low Light and House of Vans.

Aside from her international contacts through her bands and festivals, she also spoke at conferences in Canada, Brazil, Chile and Argentina.

Earlier this year, Dalton was part of the team that hosted the Victorian government’s music delegation from Latin America, and played a key role in the Music Cities Convention in Melbourne.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley says the office is “one of the cornerstone projects of our Music Works strategy – and it’s set to take our music industry to the next level.

“With her industry knowledge, breadth of experience and strong local and global connections, Bonnie is well-placed to lead the charge.”

The Victorian Music Development Office is managed by Music Victoria and guided by a steering committee of music industry experts.

It will be based at Music Victoria’s South Melbourne headquarters before moving to the Music Market at Collingwood Arts Precinct in 2019.

Music Victoria chair Tim Northeast expands: “The Victorian Music Development Office will lead to jobs growth and stronger economic outcomes in the music sector and Music Victoria acknowledges and thanks the Andrews government for this significant investment in the music sector.’’