Timeline:

Submissions open: 17th February 2025

Submissions close: 14th March 2025

Recipient announced: 10th April 2025

Overview:
Elevate is an annual initiative designed to support emerging artists who lack access to industry resources. This program bridges the gap by offering PRO BONO professional mentorship and resources, empowering artists to release their music while building a foundation for long-term success. Selected by a panel of industry professionals, one artist each year will receive comprehensive support, including management, PR, marketing, playlisting, distribution, live performance development, publishing guidance, and arts law advice. By addressing systemic barriers, the program aims to create more equitable opportunities in the music industry.

2025 Pilot Program:
The pilot program will launch in New South Wales (NSW) and serve as a blueprint for future iterations. With a collective of leading industry professionals confirmed as collaborators, the program is designed to deliver a high-impact release plan and professional development tailored to the selected artist. Beyond mentorship and release support, the program fosters independence and resilience, ensuring artists are equipped with the skills to thrive. By championing fresh voices, Elevate aspires to set a new standard for collaboration and empowerment in the music community.

Alongside delivering for the selected artist, this program will also be used to gather research for the industry at large regarding the state of developing artists and the resources and strategies that work, and do not work, in the development of a career. 

Eligibility:

Artist must be release ready, or near enough to release ready that they will be able to start a release campaign by May 2025.

Must not currently have a team that includes established industry members.

Must be original music.

Must be based in NSW.

Selection will be by the partner organisations looking at the following:

Music and creative, open to all genres.

Ability and readiness to maximise the opportunities created through this program.

Openness and curiosity to develop and try new ways of working.

A knowledge of their existing community and how they would see themselves growing that community.

The willingness to travel within and interstate as required. Funding will be provided by the program if travel is required.

PARTNERS

BOOKING AGENT: Select Music
Select Music will assist in pitching live performance opportunities, positioning the artist effectively within the live music scene. Their efforts will help build the artist’s reputation as a dynamic performer.

DISTRIBUTION: Community Music
Community Music will oversee the technical and logistical aspects of digital distribution, ensuring the artist’s backend systems are robust and ready for the campaign. This will streamline the release process and provide a solid foundation for their catalog.

DSP Consultation: Golden Hour
Golden Hour will assist with consultations on distribution, playlisting and how to pitch your music to secure placements on key streaming platforms. This strategy will help increase the artist's reach and visibility to grow their audience.

LEGAL: Creative Lawyers
Creative Lawyers will provide the artist with expert legal advice, covering contracts, intellectual property, and other industry-specific legal matters. This support will safeguard the artist’s rights and interests, enabling them to navigate the music industry with confidence and providing best-practice systems from the outset.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Dino Dimitriadis
Dino Dimitriadis will work closely with the artist to design and develop a compelling live show. Their expertise as a multi-award winning theatre director will ensure the performances are not only musically captivating but also visually engaging and memorable for audiences.

MANAGEMENT: Ben Pierpoint Management
Ben Pierpoint Management will work with the artist to develop a comprehensive multi-year strategy. This long-term vision will focus on sustainable career growth, tailored opportunities, and strategic decision-making to help the artist navigate the music industry.

Through the assistance of the AAM’s Placement program, day-to-day management of this project will be led by Jamila Douglas and overseen by Ben Pierpoint.

MARKETING: The Annex
The Annex will provide key industry learnings with a series of unique panels. These sessions will cover branding, audience engagement, and strategic content creation to enhance the artist's presence across multiple platforms.

PR: Positive Feedback
Positive Feedback will lead a dynamic PR campaign designed to support the artist's journey from single releases to a cohesive body of work. Their expertise will ensure maximum visibility and impactful storytelling to elevate the artist's profile and engage a wider audience.

PUBLISHING: Wise Music Australia
Wise Music Australia will lead a one-on-one session that explores sync and sync pitching, providing A&R feedback on the project through the specific lens of sync. The project will then be presented to key music supervisors to broaden the artist’s reach across film, TV, and other media platforms.

Terms

Participation in ELEVATE does not constitute a legal partnership between the Artist and any Partner Organisation.

The terms of ELEVATE are subject to change.

Both during and at the conclusion of the ELEVATE term, the Partner Organisations will have no legal responsibility towards the Artist and/or the Artists’ project. If it is mutually agreed to continue the relationship after the term, the relationship will move to standard commercial terms to be individually negotiated and agreed between the Artist and individual Partner Organisation.

Participants will retain ownership of their music and intellectual property developed during the program. ELEVATE and its partners will not claim any rights beyond those necessary to fulfill their roles in the artist’s development. Any co-created works (e.g., collaborative songwriting) will be governed by separate agreements between involved parties.

No costs in relation to ELEVATE will be incurred by the Partner Organisations on behalf of the Artist unless explicitly agreed in writing by the Artist.

ELEVATE and its partners are committed to delivering the program to the best of their ability. However, participants understand that outcomes depend on individual effort and collaboration. ELEVATE shall not be liable for any unforeseen interruptions or outcomes beyond its control.

Applications for the ELEVATE program must be submitted via the official application form. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or provide additional materials to support their submission.

The Artist acknowledges that ELEVATE is currently a PILOT program and agrees to participate, as reasonably necessary, in any research or reflection to strengthen the project for future iterations.

ELEVATE reserves the right to terminate a participant's involvement in the program if:

• The participant fails to meet commitments outlined in this document.

• There is evidence of misconduct, non-compliance, or behavior that disrupts the program.