Introducing the Music Industry Mentoring Edge (MIME).
City of Melbourne and Box Hill Institute have teamed up for a new first-of-its-kind career development program, titled the Music Industry Mentoring Edge (MIME). If you’re keen to kickstart a career in music this is the mentor program for you.
As part of the program, emerging to mid-level music industry professionals will have the opportunity to forge new relationships and get a feel for the music industry from those who have established themselves and gone onto succeed.
Through a dedicated program of workshops, masterclasses and one-on-one extended mentorship, start-up music businesses and industry professionals will be able to connect with the likes of revered self-managed singer-songwriter Olympia, the artist who delivered her boundary-pushing sophomore album, Flamingo, last year and earned industry-wide plaudits in the process and Paul Kelly and RocKwiz band drummer Peter Luscombe. They will be guest speakers as part of the program.
Other speakers include producer and artist Ariel Blum, who’s worked with the likes of Angie McMahon and Gordon Koang, Tremorverse Records and Stolen Recordings label manager Merida Sussex, Asia Pop Fest curator Wenona Lok as well as rapper Birdz who has become one of the most established artists on Briggs’ burgeoning label, Bad Apples.
The speakers come from all corners of the industry – a concerted effort from Box Hill Institute and City of Melbourne to give program participants exposure to how different aspects of music operate and can come together to complement each other and grow from one another.
“This first-of-its-kind program is a fantastic opportunity to support emerging music industry professionals with mentoring and potential financial support while developing their careers,” Box Hill Institute’s head of music, Ben Wiesner, said about the program.
Chair of the City of Melbourne Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, Councillor Rohan Leppert, shared Wiesner’s sentiments, excited at the notion of teaming up with Box Hill Institute.
“Melbourne’s diverse music scene is world-renowned,” Cr Leppert said. “It’s important that we continue to foster the growth of our local music industry and entrepreneurs. Through the City of Melbourne Music Plan, our investment in MIME will open a new set of opportunities for local music businesses to grow and make their mark on Australia and the world.”
Eligible candidates of the MIME program will be offered free, music-specific business training and mentor support for up to 12 months, culminating in the development of a personalised Business Plan that showcases the viability of their business concept as part of the NEIS scheme.
This Business Plan can then open the door for the eligible participants to NEIS’ New Business Assistance, a Commonwealth-funded financial assistance scheme offering support to business start-ups, for up to 39 weeks.
Expressions of interest for the Music Industry Mentoring Edge program are open from now until Friday July 2. All successful participants will be required to be available from July 8 to July 15 for when the workshops and panels take place, and for the one-on-one mentoring through Mentorloop until August 21.
Head to the Box Hill Institute website to get involved.
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