Applications for this year’s 23% mentorship program, organised and hosted by APRA AMCOS, are now open.
The annual program is for women and gender diverse music creators across Australia and New Zealand. Just 14 positions are available ahead of this year’s exclusive six-month program, so songwriters and producers at pivotal stages of their careers seeking additional mentorship are advised to apply.
23% is open to all musical genres and practices, aiming to match mentees with mentors who align with their career stage, goals, and priorities. Each successful applicant will also take home $3,000 towards project or work-related costs and/or travel expenses.
Applications are open now until Sunday, 3 May. To apply and find more information, head to the APRA AMCOS website.
Nearly 100 music creators have been involved in the program since its launch in 2018, with performers including Eliza Hull, ATHANASIA, BVT, Ayda Akbal, Milan Ring, Victoria Pham, and many others who have received mentorship. Plus, the mentors are some of Australia’s most influential names in music, including Claire Collins, KLP, Nat Dunn, Milly Petriella, and Ngaiire.
This year’s mentees could be matched with impressive mentors such as Anna Laverty, Mahalia Barnes, Alex Hosking, Chelsea Warner, and Imogen Clark.
23% was born out of the percentage of APRA AMCOS members who identified as women or gender diverse within the music industry. Through the program, APRA AMCOS aims to address gender disparity in music by providing professional guidance and funding, and by committing to a minimum 40% representation of women across programs and judging panels.
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Discussing the experience of being a mentee in last year’s program, composer Naomi Geste said of joining up with screen composer and producer, François Tétaz, “This mentorship has been valuable beyond words.
“After almost 10 years of tertiary and post-grad study, I was really struggling to adjust to having less structure, less feedback and guidance. I was completely paralysed and unable to move forward with my craft.”
Geste continued, “Franc immediately confirmed I had the ability, but I needed to develop my personal artistic voice and flesh out what it is that I do, outside of a brief or a uni assignment. The discomfort and issues that arose around that were very enlightening.
“My internal foundations have been repaired in a way I didn't realise I needed, and this has allowed me to engage fearlessly with creative opportunities; improve the way I show up for my students and my own art.”
Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS, added, “The music industry continues to under‑represent women and gender diverse creators, and that calls for decisive action.
“Initiatives like the 23% mentorship play a vital role in moving us beyond the original 23% benchmark, investing in talent, career guidance and connection to build lasting relationships and more sustainable careers, and ultimately making progress toward gender parity in our industry.”
