For 2008, the categories for funding and support by The JB Seed are:

1. INDIGENOUS RECORDING
2. PROFESSIONAL AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
3. SOCIAL ACTIVISM THROUGH THE ARTS
4. MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP INITIATIVE

1 opportunity available

This category will provide the opportunity for an Indigenous musical Performer/Act with original material, to record a 5 track EP. You will collaborate with Buchman (AKA Tony Buchen) to produce, arrange, record, mix and master your music in his studio in Sydney.

We will provide and arrange transport, accommodation and living expenses whilst recording, and provide a budget for artwork and to manufacture 1000 copies of your EP.

Tony Buchman " Buchen" is one of Australia's most diverse and unclassifiable record producers. Based in Sydney, he has worked with acts such as, Kid Confucius, Blue King Brown and Macromantics. Tony believes that “recording is above all else about capturing the soul of the musician through spontaneous acts of performance” . To do this he uses the best of vintage analogue and modern digital studio techniques and gear.

Check out www.myspace.com/buchmanmusic for more information.

Applicants need to provide a sample of their music on CD, a brief biography of the performers involved and a vision of what you hope to achieve by recording this EP. 

The successful applicant of this category will be chosen in collaboration with musicians and representatives from the Australian arts community including: Paul Kelly, John Butler, Clare Bowditch, Richard Kingsmill
(triplej)and Carlo Santone from Blue King Brown.

Download application form

This category is open to musicians and musical technicians who wish to enhance their skill base or career choices by undertaking further study, residencies, mentoring relationships, seminars or conferences with recognised practitioner/s of excellence. Applicants must include an abridged relevant biography, their vision of the benefits of their project, an abridged biography of the proposed practitioner and confirmation that the practitioner is willing and able to be involved in the project. This letter of support should also state how much the practitioner will charge and confirm any dates already agreed upon.

This program can occur within Australia, or if the expertise exists only overseas, then in an international setting.

Grants of up to $5,000

This program embraces all art forms and is open to any projects or initiatives that serve to educate and/or create debate and awareness on current, socially relevant issues.

To apply you will be required to explain your project idea, who will be involved and what you want to achieve, as well as how your art form (whether music, film, painting, sculpture, performance, etc) will be used in the project. We also require a brief plan for how the project will be marketed
 
Here are some examples of successful projects we have supported in previous years. This is to be used as a guide to ascertain the types of projects we would be interested in supporting. We encourage you to check the Successful Applicants link on our website for a more comprehensive guide

StepUp (Funding grant $3,400) - Pip Denis and Karen Therese of the PACT Theatre Company in Erskineville co-ordinated StepUp. StepUp operated on a cyclic 3 tier mentoring structure. Professional Indigenous Artists worked with emerging artists (18-26yrs). The emerging Artists then mentored & shared their skills with 8-18yr olds from the Redfern Community Centre. The process culminated in a high calibre presentation of new contemporary Aboriginal artworks, participation in Gathering Ground for The Sydney Festival 2008 & a tour of the StepUp program for presentation in the Nextwave Festival in Melbourne 2008.

The Nuclear Posters (Funding grant $4,500) - Lou Smith and Tom Sevil from Breakdown Press in Carlton, VIC produced a collection of political posters designed by Australian Artists and writers that served to educate and raise awareness on the issues of Uranium mining, Nuclear testing, Nuclear weapons, Nuclear waste and a sustainable Nuclear free future. Posters were printed and made available for sale via bookshops, stalls, websites and community organisations. Exhibitions and other distribution took place across the East Coast of Australia.

Applicants note: If your project has Indigenous components, Artists are encouraged to develop their own original work or to seek the written permission of the appropriate Indigenous individuals, cultural groups or communities of origin if cultural and intellectual property materials, including dreaming stories, oral histories, images, music or symbols, are used in the project. Any photography and filmed images of Indigenous people must be used in accordance with community protocol procedures

Download application form

Up to 25 opportunities available

This workshop offers practical strategies for managing a band or performer in the establishment phase of their career.  The workshop will bring together a group of significant professionals in the music industry, including managers, distributors, radio promoters, radio representatives, publicists, lawyers, grant writers, publishers and artists to share their knowledge and offer strategic advice on ways to enhance performers’ opportunities in the music industry.

This initiative will be delivered in an intensive three-day workshop format, complemented by customised personal advice. The JB Seed will provide and arrange transport, accommodation and meals for all successful applicants.

Applications will be accepted from managers, self managed solo musicians or band members who are managing their own band. You will be expected to include a brief relevant CV, a recording of the Performer/Act/s you manage, a brief biography for the Performer/Act, a recent press shot and a letter of support from the Performer/Act that you manage.

Download application form

$8000 available

This trust seeks to honour the memory of the tireless work of the late Jacqui McCoy (Geia), who devoted much of her life to assisting disadvantaged artists from all backgrounds, but particularly Indigenous Australian artists.
Jacqui was an integral committee member from the inception of The JB Seed Fund and was always enforcing the need for emerging artists to be nurtured. She was instrumental in developing a way of operating which would keep The JB Seed accessible to start-up artists and arts workers

 Every application submitted to The JB Seed in 2008 will automatically be eligible to be awarded funds from The Jacqui McCoy trust. The recipient of funds from this trust will be selected at the committee’s discretion, within the 4 categories described above.
 
 We will be looking for projects that meet with Jacqui’s ethos, projects that seek to assist in growing a healthy Australian Arts community, where artists feel empowered and supported to express themselves and become self sufficient.
 
**We are not looking for separate applications for funding from this trust, you will automatically be eligible when you apply to The JB Seed in 2008.