At a time where artists such as Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu are creating history for Indigenous music world wide by taking Indigenous Australian music to international and mainstream audiences, One Movement For Music Perth (OMFM) is proud to announce the creation of the Australian Indigenous Music Scholarship (AIMS). A program focused on professional development opportunities for Australian Indigenous artists.

AIMS is a pioneering partnership between OMFM, WA’s Department of Indigenous Affairs, Skinnyfish Music and MGM Distribution, and is supported by the WA, Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australian state governments, through their corresponding arts departments via direct support of participating artists.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Dr Kim Hames, said he was inspired to support the Program by the concentration of talent in Western Australia.

“The assessment panel will have a tough time choosing whom they support with this scholarship,” Dr Hames said.

“I am very proud that the Western Australian Government can make one young musician’s dreams come true in this way, and very much look forward to seeing this artist succeed in a tough industry.”

OMFM is inviting indigenous artists from across Australia to apply to participate in the scholarship which will provide recipients with the opportunity to showcase at the One Movement Showcase Music Festival as well as gain professional and performance development experience in the studio.

The Program has also received strong support from the music industry with Mark Grose (Managing Director, Skinnyfish Music -  label and manager of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (chair)), Alan Pigram (Pigram Brothers), Shane Howard (Goanna Music) and Rhoda Roberts (Artistic Director The Dreaming Festival) forming the assessment panel.

One artist from each participating state and territory will be selected by the panel to join the One Movement Showcase Music Festival, which takes place at the Perth Esplanade on October 17-18, alongside international and national acts such as Hilltop Hoods, Frankmusik, Sarah Blasko, Kate Miller-Heidke, Blue King Brown, Wolf & Cub and many, many more.

Each act will also be offered studio time whilst in Perth, receiving some recording time and tutoring from a professional producer.

The panel will then select one of these acts as an overall winner for the program. This act will receive additional development opportunities including the chance to record a full album with a professional producer and manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Album distribution is supported by Skinnyfish Music and MGM Distribution.

Of AIMS, Grose said: “Both MGM Distribution and Skinnyfish Music are strong supporters of indigenous musicians and see the scholarship as an invaluable tool in giving an emerging performer the time and space to establish themselves in the music industry, while maintaining their independence. This innovative approach to supporting artists should be applauded and both MGM Distribution and Skinnyfish Music are looking forward to supporting the winners.”

The One Movement Showcase Music Festival will be attended by many of the global leaders in the music industry, offering a unique platform for these indigenous artists to be heard and discovered.

Interested artists are invited to apply now by sending a short biography, MP3 and photograph to info@onemovementmusic.com with ‘AIMS Application’ and the artist name in the subject line. More detailed information can be found at www.onemovementmusic.com/AIMS .