John Butler, John Butler Trio

"I believe 'The JB Seed' has enough scope to offer assistance to the more traditional art forms, but also to the more cutting edge/fringe ideas out there. I look forward to being able to support progressive, contemporary and innovative projects. 'The JB Seed' is a chance for me to extend…

Carlo Santone, Blue King Brown

"It's been an honour to work with The JB Seed team and be part of the development of such a great initiatve, Artists commited to supporting Artists, this program is the real deal." www.bluekingbrown.com

More...

John Watson Management

"It seems like lots of us spend lots of time these days talking about how things should be different. However, few of us consistently DO enough to actually help change things. John and Danielle are among the few who actually back up their words with deeds. The time and energy…

Paul Kelly

"I couldn't get a record deal in 1984 so I borrowed money from a friend to make a record called Post. Not everyone has friends who can afford that but I see the JB seed as the kind of friend that can." - www.paulkelly.com.au

Missy Higgins

"There should be more grant programs like the JB Seed. Our country is bursting with talented, creative minds that aren't able to express themselves because they don't have the means to. I'm eternally thankful for my leg-up into the industry, and I'm proud to be supporting a fund that offers…

Bill Cullen, One Louder Management

"Culture is an imperative part of any society. From great societies in history, it is the cultural figures and their work that we remember and learn from, not their business leaders. Unfortunately most modern societies don't recognise this, and very few resources are put into developing contemporary culture. I am…

Sebastian Chase and Kylie Greenlees of MGM distribution

Philip Stevens Management

It has been a pleasure working with an artist that has such a strong social conscience as John Butler. The JB Seed has been a fantastic idea in concept and now in actuality. I was very happy to contribute to an ongoing grants program that is going to benefit many…

Maureen Ritchie

"As an active investor in many areas of the arts around Australia I see our culture as unique and strong, so I would like us to be immersed, totally surrounded and celebrating our cultural roots and visions as much as possible. The JB Seed is an invaluable asset for the…

Paul Gilding and Michelle Grosvenor, ECOS

"We are delighted to support The JB Seed, particularly the Social Activism through the Arts program. When we were struggling young activists we were always grateful for the financial and moral support of others, including many from the music industry such as Midnight Oil. It is such an honor be…

Correne Wilkie, Manager The Cat Empire and Jackson Jackson

"Being involved in the JB Seed is one of the most rewarding things I do each year, and I am thrilled to participate as a panellist on the Management workshop and as a financial contributor. It’s great to see funding going directly into the hands of artists and aspiring managers…

Brett Oaten

"The JB Seed Management Workshop is the most inspiring event on the music industry calendar. Well, it would be if it was actually ON the calendar. I'm very proud to participate in, and to support, this wonderful initiative" www.brettoaten.com.au

The Waifs

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faq

How do I submit my application?
First: go to the relevant JB Seed/Sonicbids homepage for your grant application: JUMP GRANT, ART FOR THE PUBLIC, MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP.
Then: you just follow the directions. Easy!

You will need to fill out our online form and upload examples of your music and art well us references or letters of support.
You may also be required to download a budget template, fill it in, save it and then upload it again.
Take your time with the application, consider your answers. You can save the form at any time and come back to it. We want you to show us what you can achieve with this grant. We don’t want a thesis, be bold and be concise!

What is ‘Sonicbids’ anyway?
Sonicbids normally function as a matchmaker between bands and gig bookers. If you’re a band, you can become a member of Sonicbids and create an online EPK (Electronic Press Kit). The EPK is an online industry tool that allows you to upload your songs, video, press shots, biographies and reviews into one package. Once you have your EPK, Sonicbids will notify you about opportunities from all around the world that you can submit to. If you apply for a JB Seed grant Sonicbids will give you a free three month membership.

This is how sonicbids describes themselves:

"Sonicbids is the website that helps bands get gigs, and promoters book the right bands. Their community is the largest on the Web, and includes bands, singers, songwriters and performers of all kinds from all over the world, and music buyers of all kinds, including promoters, licensors, festival programmers, colleges, and much more. Bands go there for gigs; promoters go there for bands. They have lots of both".

Do I have to become a member of Sonicbids?
You will automatically become a member of Sonicbids when you apply for the JBSeed. This is free membership for 3 months. You can opt out of your Sonicbids membership at any time free of charge.

I’m applying as a visual artist, do I have to use sonicbids?
Yes, even though it’s designed for musicians, the ART FOR PUBLIC grant applications will still use sonicbids. You won’t be asked to upload any music, just examples of your visual work.

Who can apply?
Any Australian citizen, over 18 years of age who is practicing their art and engaging in quality cultural activities that further Australia’s cultural life.

Can you reassure me that my ideas won’t be shared?
All projects will be considered commercially in confidence.

Do you give grants to all genres of music?
We won’t discriminate against any genre. So come one, come all. So far we’ve funded some of Australia’s brightest hip-hop, jazz, blues, roots, rock, funk, baroque, classical and electronic artists. But we’ll fund metal, punk, hardcore, industrial, grindcore, trance, abstract pointilism, minimal tech and anything else as long it fits our criteria and is a deserving and outstanding application.

What art forms are eligible to apply other than music?
This year The JB Seed features the category ART FOR PUBLIC. It is particularly geared for visual artists. Check out info in the CATEGORIES section of our website.

Are you required to repay any profits made by the project?
No, applicants are not asked to repay any profits but you must remain accountable for any money you spend. You’ll have to fill out a budget in your application. This is important, we need to know how you want to spend our money! We will require receipts with acquittals when you finish so chuck em in a shoe box as you spend the bucks.

What is the limit of funding per application?
The limit for each category is different; please check the CATEGORIES page for the specifics.

Do people need to apply direct or can they apply on behalf of someone?
People need to apply on their own behalf, unless there is a legitimate reason, for example if English is not your first language and you find it difficult to communicate your ideas. Sometimes managers apply on behalf of their acts which is cool but they need to declare their relationship to the artist.

What is the deadline for applications?
Monday 27th April 2009. We can’t accept anything that is late. Makes sense… if you can’t submit an application in time how are you going to be organised enough to complete the project we help you fund?

Can I just send my application by mail?
No, we receive hundreds of applications and we’re really conscious about the waste of paper, energy and money that sending physical applications will cause. Also, if we receive it on our computers it’s easier for us to manage and easier for you to make sure you’ve completed all aspects of the application form.

Will applicants get any notification that their application has been submitted?

What happens if I’m having technical difficulties with the online application?
Do your best to solve it but if you’re really stuck you can email us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it leave your contact details and tell us what’s going wrong. We’ll either tell you how to fix via email or give you a call and run you through it.

Does the music have to be of mixed and mastered quality?
No, we really just want to get an idea of the music.

Where and when will the Management workshop be held?
This is in the planning stage, but it’s been held at a really cool place in NSW during October over the past couple of years and may be there again. That said, we might just do something different and totally whacky this time… or not.… We’ll keep you posted.

Who makes the decisions about the projects to be funded?
The JB Seed committee make all decisions about which projects will be funded and it’s always a hard decision! If you are applying for a grant that requires a particular speciality we may ask an expert in that field for advice. The members of the selection committee change from year to year and are often different for each category.

How long before I know if I have been successful or not?
We’ll let successful applicant know on Friday 17th July 2009

When will I receive the money?
Funds will be dispersed after the 1st August 2009

When can the project start?
Projects can start after the funds are dispersed after the 1st August 2008.

I’ve still got more questions… Who should I ask? How do I ask?
Any questions you have can be asked by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it We will respond as soon as possible.