Pioneering partnership to support development of indigenous music

Talented indigenous musicians are being encouraged to apply for a new scholarship supported by the Liberal-National Government.

The inaugural Australian Indigenous Music Scholarship, funded by the State governments of Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, will be administered by One Movement for Music Perth, chaired by Mark Grose, manager of ARIA-winner Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Kim Hames said he was inspired to support the program by the concentration of talent in WA.

"The assessment panel will have a tough time choosing who they support with this scholarship," Dr Hames said. 

"I am very proud that the WA Government can make one young musician's dreams come true in this way, and very much look forward to seeing this artist succeed in a tough industry."

One artist from each participating State and Territory will be selected by the panel to join the One Movement Showcase Music Festival, which takes place at the Perth Esplanade on October 17-18.  Also performing will be international and national acts including Hilltop Hoods; Frankmusik; Sarah Blasko; Kate Miller-Heidke; and Blue King Brown Wolf & Cub.

Each act will also be offered studio time in Perth, receive recording time and tutoring from a professional producer.

The panel will then select one of these acts as an overall winner for the program. This act will receive additional development opportunities, including the chance to record a full album with a professional producer to be manufactured, distributed and marketed in partnership with Skinnyfish Music and MGM Distribution.

Interested artists are invited to apply by sending a short biography, MP3 and photograph to info@onemovementmusic.com with AIMS Application and the artist's name in the subject line.

More detailed information is available at http://www.onemovementmusic.com/AIMS