The Seed Fund supports emerging musicians, artists and arts workers via our 3 grant categories and 5 strategic initiatives in 2012.

Grants and initiatives are made financially possible by donations from within the music and arts community and it's thanks to our many donors, most of whom are industry professionals, that we are able to offer grants to artists in the early stages of their careers. View categories for more info.

The Management Workshop is a one-stop shop for practical strategies to manage artists in the establishment phase of their career. Now in it's seventh year, the workshop has hosted some of Australia’s leading emerging managers. The Management Workshop provides a platform for strategic advice and ways to enhance opportunities for bands and solo artists forging pathways in the music industry.

In a creative industry where is no set path, 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.

Applications will be accepted from managers, self managed solo musicians or band members who are managing their own band. 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 was an amazing and enlightening experience. To have the opportunity to be surrounded by such talented industry professions and like-minded peers was a very special and unique opportunity. The impact it has had on my career is immeasurable. I have drawn on the information and skills learned on a daily basis since. I cannot recommend it more highly." Laura Wallbridge – Manager, Gossling

“Can't pump The Seed up enough! The program, the incredible quality and quantity of speakers, the great one on one access to everyone involved and the relationships forged with other managers nationally; all great. Personally I feel that I received great assistance for specific issues I faced at the time and I like to think I am better manager all round for the experience.” Rick Chazan – Manager, The Boat People, Dan Parsons, Emma Louise, Skinny Jean

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The selection panel will be looking for:

• Managers who work with quality acts that have strong artistic merit.
• Managers and Artists with a proven dedication to their careers.
• The potential of the Manager and Act to contribute to the Australian music scene.
• Managers who’s previous work displays good planning and effective use of resources.

ELEGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

You must be 18 years of age at the time of your application.

You must be an Australian citizen.

You must be a bona-fide practicing artist or arts worker.

BONUS: For the 5th year running The Seed, in partnership with The Falls Music and Arts Festival (Lorne, VIC), Southbound (WA), Reggaetown (Cairns, QLD) and Port Fairy Folk Festival (Port Fairy, VIC) will offer selected band/s the opportunity to perform at these festivals. If your application to attend The Management Workshop is successful, the act that you manage will automatically be eligible. Falls, Southbound, Reggaetown and Port Fairy will provide and arrange transport, accommodation and a performance fee for the successful band/s

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE VIA SONICBIDS.COM // PLEASE READ HOW TO APPLY

This category exists in line with The Seed’s philosophy, to nurture artists throughout their careers.

The Seed recognizes that publicists play an increasingly important role in the promotion of emerging artists and we are therefore seeking to fund managers (including self-managed artists) to contract a publicist for a promotional campaign up to the value of $5000. The campaign must be in support of a new Australian release (EP or Album only) or a campaign involving an Australian release and associated tour.

Applications will only be accepted from managers who have attended a Seed Management Workshop. Managers will be responsible for contracting the publicist and providing a letter of support that details their commitment to the upcoming campaign. Campaigns should begin after August 2012.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The selection panel will be looking for:

• Managers who have attended The Seed workshop can apply on behalf of any artist they currently work with
• Campaigns supporting music with strong artistic merit
• Campaigns that display good planning and effective use of resources
• Managers and Artists with a proven dedication to their careers

ELEGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

You must continue to be a bona-fide practicing artist or arts worker.

You must be a band manager who has attended The Seed Management Workshop in the past – (2006 to 2011)

We are seeking to fund visual artists who are undertaking projects delivering art to outdoor, or prominent indoor public spaces. These art pieces should be a form of social commentary, communication and inspiration, between the artist and the general public. The art must be made available at no financial cost to the general public.

Projects supported could include, but are not limited to:

• Artistic responses to social justice issues
• Issues of significance to the community
• Murals
• Exhibitions
• Graffiti pieces
• Stencil work
• Photography
• Multimedia
• Print
• Paint

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The selection panel will be looking for:

• Projects that have strong artistic merit.
• Artists who’s previous work displays good planning and effective use of resources.

ELEGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

You must be 18 years of age at the time of your application.

You must be an Australian citizen.

You must be a bona-fide practicing artist or arts worker.

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE VIA SONICBIDS.COM // PLEASE READ HOW TO APPLY

2012 INITIATIVES

FALLS // SOUTHBOUND // PORT FAIRY // REGGAETOWN

For the 5^th year running The Seed in partnership with 4 amazing festivals is able to offer performance opportunities to band/s whose manager attends the Management Workshop in 2012.

The Falls Music and Arts Festival (Lorne, VIC), Southbound (Bunbury, WA), Reggaetown (Cairns, QLD) and Port Fairy Folk Festival (Port Fairy, VIC) will provide and arrange transport, accommodation and a performance fee for the successful band/s. If your application to attend the workshop is successful, the act that you manage will automatically be eligible.

SKINNYFISH // Up to $18,750 in performance fees to be paid to remote Indigenous Musicians

Supporting Top End Indigenous community bands, by generating paid performance opportunities and encouraging positive outcomes in community life through music.

For the third year The Seed is happy to confirm a partnership with Skinnyfish Music that enables us to roll out this initiative. Skinnyfish Music is a record label, distributor and publisher of Indigenous music. Based in Darwin, they have been in operation for over 10 years and have worked with many incredible artists such as Gurrumul, Saltwater Band and Nabarlek to name just a few.

Through existing and established festivals and events, this initiative creates paid performance opportunities for remote community bands in and around their homelands.

Remunerating musicians for performing instills value in playing music as a serious lifestyle choice and a way to earn a living from their craft. The Seed and Skinnyfish Music seek to create a positive focus within communities to support their musicians and create role models for the younger generations. This is the belief that community performance is a vital, viable and serious part of the Australian Music Industry. Just as pubs or local venues provide the breeding and nurturing ground for urban musicians and bands to flourish, so too does the community circuit in remote areas provide an opportunity for musicians to hone their skills and develop their craft.  Live performance within communities’ nurtures fans and performers and has an extensive positive social impact.

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

In conjunction with Music NT and Alice Desert Festival, The Seed is proud to be able to continue to support Bush Bands Business in 2012.  Part of the iNTune Music Conference Alice Springs, Bush Bands Business’ goal is professional development and sees music industry trainers and professional musicians and technicians mentor the Bush Bands Bash musicians, with the bands able to rehearse under the guidance of experienced mentors. Culminating in a performance at Bush Bands Bash (www.bushbandsbash.net.au) as part of the 2012 Alice Desert Festival.

The Seed will fund mentors to attend Bush Bands Business, held in Alice Springs and surrounds in late 2012.

Song Cycles INBOUND project

We are running for the second year, a pilot program that takes urban music industry professionals into the heart of rural Australia to take a peek into the lives of Aboriginal musicians and remote Aboriginal community festivals with a music focus. Our hope is that these professionals will discover the high level of musicianship and song writing craft that exists in these communities and be forever changed by the experience. 

This Song Cycles Inbound project is a partnership between APRA/AMCOS, The Australia Council, The Federal Office of the Arts, The Seed Fund and Skinnyfish Music that aims to address the following issues within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) music and performance communities that 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

INSIDE OUT is a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Everyone is challenged to use black and white photographic portraits to discover, reveal and share the untold stories and images of people around the world. www.insideoutproject.net

This year The Seed Fund will run “Inside Out” as an internal pilot program. A photographer/project manager will work with a community and us and have their images displayed publically and locally, with a view to running this project as an open category in future years.

The Seed Fund would like to thank SONICBIDS who continue to support us by hosting our application process. Applications for The Seed Fund grants are free of charge, thanks to Sonicbids.

2012 Important Dates