$10K Billy Thorpe Scholarship gets deadline

Entries for Arts Queensland's annual $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship close at midnight this Friday (December 5).

It is open to all emerging Queensland solo acts and bands to help gain a foothold in the music industry with opportunity, advice, tools and networks. They have to be over 18 years of age and must prove they are committed to a long-term career in music.

They must have satisfied the reporting requirements of any previous Arts Queensland grants and have an ABN.

The $10,000 is divided into $4,000 cash and $6,000 towards recording with an established Queensland producer and/or nominated and approved activities to grow the career of the recipient. There will also be a meeting with a representative from tour promoter and artist management company Chugg Entertainment.

Organisers say, “The scholarship, named in honour of the late Billy Thorpe, a great Australian rock musician who passed away in February 2007, was designed to help develop the future of rock and roll. As a result, rock music may be a priority for selecting applicants.”

In 2015, this program will be delivered by industry peak body QMusic with the winner announced on March 25 at the Queensland Music Awards.

Last year’s winner Jeremy Neale has gone on to play festivals in the UK and Singapore, recorded an album with Brisbane garage collective Velociraptor and released a 7” with surf band Teen Sensations. This week he signed a record deal with Dot Dash/Remote Control and his new single The News has been picked up by triple j.

Previous recipients were Astrid and The Asteroids (2012), Sam Hales (2011),Andrew Redford (2010), Alan Boyle (2009) and Michael Gavriel (2008).