Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel Steps Down
After almost four years leading Music Victoria, Simone Schinkel has tendered her resignation.
Schinkel will finish as CEO of Music Victoria on Dec. 20, a development that has triggered the search for a new leader.
During her term, which started at the height of the pandemic, Schinkel guided crucial advocacy and vital change, including securing over $88 million in direct sector investment from the Victorian government.
Her achievements include: releasing the white paper Priorities for the Victorian Music Industry ahead of the 2022 Victorian state election; preparing and lobbying over 20 advocacy submissions to the federal and state governments; introducing new categories to the Music Victoria Awards, and releasing the first ever whole-of-state Victorian Live Music Census in April 2023.
“My journey at Music Victoria was made possible through an incredible and inspiriring community alliance,” says Schinkel in a statement.
“We have achieved some great outcomes and it is a bittersweet moment that I announce my departure.”
A veteran arts administrator, Schinkel holds a Master of Arts and Cultural Management, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in technical production, is an alumni of the Australia Council’s Emerging Leaders Development Program and co-convenor of the Arts Industry Council of Victoria.
While the landscape “has changed during my time at Music Victoria, the power of music remains strong. We have continued to shape a more sustainable and equitable future. The Victorian music industry will continue to soar,” Schinkel continues.
Currently, Music Victoria boasts more than 5,000 members, including UNIFIED Music Group, whose founder and CEO Jaddan Comerford remarks, “We greatly value the important role that Music Victoria plays in supporting our local music industry. Thank you Simone, for guiding our peak body through a very challenging time and doing so with integrity and passion.”
Adds Chris O’Neill, chair of the Music Victoria board, “Through her hard work, Simone has transformed Music Victoria’s operations, strengthened internal procedures and cultivated a positive, inclusive culture within our growing team. We extend our deepest thanks to Simone for her commitment and wish her every success in her future endeavours.”
The board will now commence recruitment for its next CEO.
The successful candidate will be just the third leader of Music Victoria. Schinkel succeeded Patrick Donovan, the trade body’s inaugural CEO who departed in 2021 after a decade in the role.