SA Government creates Robert Stigwood Fellowship

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill is forging ahead with a contemporary music strategy that will see the introduction of the newly-created Robert Stigwood Fellowship.

Nine months ago Weatherill told TMN that one of the keystones of his plan was to create global connections for SA musicians and music entrepreneurs.

The Robert Stigwood Fellowship is named after one of SA’s most successful music exports, Robert Stigwood, who moved to England in 1954. He went on to manage the Bee Gees and Cream, and produced the phenomenally successful Saturday Night Fever movie as well as theatrical productions as Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Program is run through the new Music Development Office, a collaboration between the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade Resources and Energy and Arts SA.

“This new Fellowship aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of South Australian music and business entrepreneurs,” said Minister for the Arts, Jack Snelling. “We are very happy to have an entrepreneur of Robert Stigwood’s status lending his name this initiative, which in turn celebrates his extraordinary achievements in the global entertainment industry.”

There are two parts to the Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program: Industry Fellows sees Sydney’s Wonderlick Entertainment mentor up to four emerging music industry entrepreneurs who are working in music management or other areas of artist representation. Artist Fellows will tailor programs to the needs of artists which may include song writing, production, business skills, marketing and public relations, and attendance at conferences and high-level industry meetings.

Applications for the Program close June 27.