MusicACT

Applications are currently open for MusicACT’s flagship Mentorship Program! As always, it’s an absolutely stacked lineup of mentors, so get your application in ASAP. Visit our website for more information or apply via the link in bio.

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Programs such as these empower our region’s musicians to expand and embolden their creative capacities through further training and education, to connect with other musicians nationally and internationally, and to define success on their own terms.

MusicACT is currently fundraising in support of these creative development programs, and to ensure that they can continue to be available at no cost to participants. Learn more and please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation at the link in bio!

Thanks to everyone who attended this weekend’s sound design masterclass, and thanks too to our presenters Robin Fox (), Megan Alice Clune (.a.c.m.a.c.m.a.c), Alison Plevey and Sara Black of Australian Dance Party (), and MusicACT’s own Sia Ahmad ().

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Programs such as these empower our region’s musicians to expand and embolden their creative capacities through further training and education, to connect with other musicians nationally and internationally, and to define success on their own terms.

MusicACT is currently fundraising in support of these creative development programs, and to ensure that they can continue to be available at no cost to participants. Learn more and please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation at the link in bio!

With support from , MusicACT is pleased to once again run our flagship Mentorship program this year. Designed to strengthen creative partnerships and music industry education in Canberra, it is an opportunity for artists and industry workers to further their networks, and gain personalised professional skill development. Applications are now open through the link in bio and will close 11:59pm, Sunday 28 June, 2026

Mentors:
Angus Andrew (Liars)
Elias Davies (Xelon, ASCENT) .label
Jonathan Boulet (Party Dozen, producer, engineer) .boulet
Nkechi Anele (Owelu Dreamhouse, Saskwatch, broadcaster) .kechi
Sarah Hamilton (Golden Hour, One Of One) .me
Tim Shiel (Green Music Australia, musician, producer, broadcaster)

Learn more about this year’s mentors on our website and keep an eye out for more posts in the coming days. With only 6 opportunities available and always in high demand, we recommend you submit your application soon. As always, we always strongly encourage those who identify with a marginalised community to apply and reach out if support is needed during the application process.

How does the mentorship work?

Upon independent assessment by the mentors, 6 successful applicants will be paired with 1 of their selected mentors to meet 4 times between July and September. Each meeting should be a minimum of 1 hour, with all dates and times agreed upon by the mentor, mentee and MusicACT. With information provided in the applications, mentors will provide guided and practical advice tailored to each mentee and their short-to-long term goals, as they continue to build their practice. Mentees are to work towards developing knowledge on creative practice and the professional industry at large. The mentor will work on a bespoke session plan that suits the needs of the mentee and this will be provided at the 1st session. A short feedback report will be submitted at the conclusion of the mentorship by both the mentor and mentee.

We’ve launched a fundraising project with the Australian Cultural Fund, and we are aiming to fundraise $20K by the end of this year to directly support our programming.

MusicACT is a not-for-profit organisation representing contemporary music in the ACT. Accessibility is a foundational aspect of MusicACT’s work; crucially, all of our professional and creative development opportunities are free of charge.

These opportunities empower our region’s musicians to expand their creative capacities through further training and education, to connect with other musicians nationally and internationally, and to define success on their own terms. Fundraising allows us to continue to provide these tools and resources every year.

Please consider donating to our fundraiser, as we continue to work alongside musicians, artists, venues, and everyone else involved in developing and strengthening our regional musical ecosystem.

Fundraiser link in bio!

We are delighted to announce that this year’s Mentorship participant is Kai’aour Jackaway!

Kai'aour Jackaway (aka Call Me Sugarplum) is an obnoxiously purple Indigenous Canberran singer-songwriter. Often found busking outside nightclubs at 3am trying to fund her album, with her looping basslines she writes cute upbeat indie-pop songs about love, life and mental health.

Kai’aour will spend a week at Phoenix Central Park, embedded with their team and learning all there is to know about their operation; from program curation to event marketing, technical production to the audience experience.