The Seed 2016 funding round now open

PRESS RELEASE:

After a fantastic response to our 2015 fundraising campaign, which included the first ever Seed Fund gig (Paul Kelly, John Butler, Missy Higgins, San Cisco and Emma Louise) and Pozible campaign, the Seed organisers have announced this year’s funding round.

In 2016 The Seed Fund enters its 12th year and continues to support emerging musicians, artists and arts workers via our Management Workshop and three community-based initiatives.

The much anticipated annual Management Workshop will again be held in Melbourne in 2016.

Seed Stats So Far:

Number of projects and individuals supported: Over 430

Funding delivered: Over $1,000,000

Years running: 12

Applications now open, close 5 pm Monday August 1 at:www.theseedfund.org/2016-funding

2016 Grant Categories

MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP // Up to 25 opportunities available // Project Value up to $70,000

WHO FOR: Australian emerging managers including self-managed artists.

WHY: The Management Workshop is a one-stop shop for practical strategies to manage artists in the establishment phase of their careers. In a creative industry where there is no set path, we believe the most effective way to learn is by sharing knowledge and seeking out those who have gone before. Providing access to an unrivalled list of industry experts from managers to publishers, lawyers, publicists, promoters and media representatives, the Management Workshop provides an opportunity for managers to come face to face with leaders in their field.

HOW: Applications will be accepted from managers, including self-managed artists. The Seed will provide and arrange transport, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants. Should you be successful all you need to do is get yourself to your closest major airport!

“The Seed Workshop has been a turning point in my career – I am more energised and enthusiastic about artist management, which will no doubt also benefit my artists in spades. Personal development is crucial in this industry, but very often rare, and The Seed provides the perfect space for that to happen amongst your peers.” Matthew Cannings, L-FRESH The LION, Little Sea, Brendan Maclean and Jeriet Dwight

“The Seed workshop was a great space to collaboratively learn alongside like-minded artists and managers. The content was extensive and the workshops were detailed and enriching. Having the opportunity to connect with the presenters was also invaluable.” Melody Forghani, Vallis Alps

“The Seed Management Workshop exceeded even my very high expectations. Even though I had been told it was a great course, nothing prepared me for the insight and wealth of information I received from music industry professionals I respect a great deal.” Xanthea O’Connor, Joni in the Moon

2016 Initiatives

BUSH BANDS BUSINESS // Up to $5000 funding for mentors

The Seed Fund will continue to partner with MusicNT Bush Bands BUSINESS, a three-day skills and professional development intensive for Central Desert bush bands. Mentors guide stagecraft, musicianship, contracting, licensing, publicity and touring tips workshops. Over 60 workshops and rehearsals take place as well as a full dress rehearsal for the Bush Bands BASH concert in Alice Springs, which takes place at the end of the intensive. We will deliver music industry professional mentors to Alice Springs to take part in Bush Bands BUSINESS because we believe in supporting remote musicians who face a different set of challenges in their professional development than their urban counterparts.

“Bush Bands unleashes the hidden talent of some of the most amazing musicians in the world!” Paula ‘jonesy’ Jones (Jones PR)

“BB program provides a link between one of the most remote music scenes in the world and the greater music industry.” Nicola Pitt (CAAMA Music)

“The people who make the program happen, the mentors and the support team were truly inspiring.” Susan Heymann (Chugg Entertainment)

SONG CYCLES INBOUND // Up to $25,000

Now in it’s 6th year, this program takes urban music industry professionals into remote Australian Indigenous community festivals, to discover the rich and diverse remote Indigenous musicianship and songwriting craft that exists.

The Song Cycles Inbound project is a partnership between APRA AMCOS and The Seed Fund that aims to address the following issues within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) music and performance communities and aims to provide tangible opportunities for musicians and performers within the following areas;

+ Professional development & exposure of new talent

+ Economic benefit

+ Industry co-operation and awareness

INBOUND is an initiative created and delivered in partnership with APRA AMCOS and The Seed Fund. INBOUND is funded by APRA AMCOS.

“Everyone who lives in Australia should see our rural communities, and anyone who is offered the chance to travel to this astonishing and uplifting festival should jump at it. The chance to see a wide range of music performed on traditional land in a rural community was a true honour. Too often the word “festival” is used a marketing construct, but this time the true community context of music, sport, food, culture, medicine and creative pursuits took me back to why I went into festivals in the first place.” Jonathan Holloway, Artistic Director – Melbourne Festival 2016

“To quote Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, “From Little Things Big Things Grow.” Barunga will start a fire that will change you forever – it did for me. Thank you APRA and The Seed Fund for the amazing experience.” Adrian Basso, PBS General Manager

SUPPORT FOR THE ASYLUM SEEKERS RESOURCE CENTRE MUSIC GROUP // Up to $8000

The Seed Fund is proud to announce a new partnership with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). Delivering support to the ASRC Music Group in four ways, we will fund the purchase of new instruments, maintain existing instruments and purchase road cases to ensure instruments are kept in working order. We will also fund mentors to deliver knowledge and skills to the existing group as well as facilitating masterclasses with established musicians.

We will deliver all aspects of this initiative in direct consultation with the ASRC’s music group coordinator and will be responsive to what the music groups needs are.

The Seed Fund believes that genuine musical expression is vital to the health of any culture and we are excited by the breadth of new talent this country inherits via the introduction of these new artists. This project facilitates music as social connection, assisting people seeking asylum to find their voices as they engage in the process of establishing themselves in their new community.