GRID Series Giving Artists a Leg Up with Free Development Program
Eight outer suburban & regional artists will be chosen to join a free six-month development program with GRID.
The program is dedicated to getting emerging artists in touch with industry networks, resources and opportunities they would otherwise have limited access to.
GRID Series co-founder Ariel Blum told The Music Network that he sees the company’s work as “a vehicle to re-orient how artists can build a sustainable community alongside the more traditional avenues within the industry.”
“We put premium value on localised community connections, noting that an artists ‘base’, being their family, their immediate network of friends and colleagues, are the driving force on how to get started. Stats and data can tell one part of the story, but the essence of community connection, and emotional connection typically are not reflected through these metrics,” Blum said.
“We are blessed in this country to have such an incredibly diverse well of lived experiences. Australian stories, born out of this massive continent so removed from the rest of the world are genuinely interesting to people across the planet.
“By only focusing on stories curated by inner city gate keepers, we limit the opportunity for our local artists to cut through internationally.”
Four selected artists will each join GRID Series in Perth or Melbourne to take part in a series of courses.
They include: one-on-one mentorship with industry leaders, a short documentary film profiling their creative journey, live performance opportunities across their local communities, and the unique addition of a “hype person” – a nominated friend or collaborator to grow alongside them through the program.
Artists will also create an original track alongside acclaimed producers such as Alice Ivy, UNO Stereo, and Sensible J.
Expressions of interest are currently open until June 9th for Melbourne and July 1st for Perth.
For more information on GRID Series, click here.