Nexus Arts is inviting contemporary musicians from culturally diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to apply to take part in a career development and performance program, bringing together artistic and music business development in an intercultural, supportive, and creative environment.
About the program
The Interplay development program will provide individualised and group-based support and development opportunities, as well as a paid performance showcase for each artist.
Interplay is open to artists from both culturally diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds who are performance ready. The program aims to provide dedicated space for artists to develop, share and connect, bringing contemporary musicians together in the spirit of intercultural communication, exploration and creation.
Eligible artists must be creating and performing original music in any genre. You must be performance ready. There are no age or experience restrictions for program involvement. The program will best suit artists looking to further engage in the music industry, who are seeking to build their professional practice by making primary income from artistic work.
Under the guidance of program officers Emily Tulloch and Naomi Keyte, program artists will take part in:
- one on one career development sessions with Nexus staff
- a performance series at Nexus Arts
- the opportunity to make a high-quality live music video
- a one on one photoshoot with an experienced music photographer
- development of your Electronic Press Kit and customised One Page Link website
- artist catch up sessions
Involvement in the program is free. You are expected to attend workshops and artist catch up sessions. Please talk to us if you think this will be a problem for you. One on one sessions with Nexus staff will take place at negotiated times which suit both parties.
As part of the program, you will perform once during the Interplay performance series. You will be paid for this performance, and the date will be negotiated with Nexus staff and other program artists. The performance will be one set (approx. 45-50 minutes) in duration, and you will perform on the same night as one other program artist.
About the program officers
Emily Tulloch
Program Manager: Artistic Director, Nexus Arts
Emily Tulloch is a South Australian musician working as a violinist, composer-arranger, educator and arts manager, with a passion for the creation, presentation and promotion of contemporary music in Adelaide, Australia and beyond. Emily was a member of Zephyr Quartet from 2005 to 2020, and with the ensemble created critically acclaimed and award-winning shows, performed across Australia and internationally, received two Ruby Awards for Innovation and three APRA/AMCOS Australian Art Music Awards. As a composer she has been commissioned by the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, Restless Dance Theatre, and Brink Productions. She has been a core member of the COMA (Creative Original Music Adelaide) committee since 2007, working on the presentation and promotion of original music in that city and helping co-ordinate twice-monthly concert presentations continuously for more than ten years. Emily holds two first class Honours degrees, in violin performance and Spanish. Emily joined Nexus Arts as Music Programs Manager in early 2017 and took on the newly created role of Artistic Director in July 2019.
Naomi Keyte
Artist Development Officer
Naomi Keyte is an artist making an interesting blend of folk and alt-pop music that is distinct both sonically and lyrically. Think Julie Byrne, Kate Bush, Sufjan Stevens, and Sharon van Etten. There is an intimacy in Keyte’s voice that is both gentle and powerful, and her band help bring to life her image-rich lyrics. In 2016, Naomi won the National Live Music Award for ‘Best Live Voice SA’, and in 2017 was nominated for three South Australian Music awards: ‘Best Release’, ‘Best Folk’, and ‘Best Female Artist’. After the 2017 release of her debut album ‘Melaleuca’, she has played a series of Parlour shows and festivals including Here’s to Now and WOMADelaide (2018). With an interest in artistic diversity and a passion for supporting other artists, Naomi joined the Nexus Arts team in mid 2018 in an Artist Development Officer role.
Application process
Please provide us with the following:
1. A brief personal biography (approx. 150 words) which describes your background, music practice, and relevant achievements.
2. Brief answers to the following questions (one page max. in total):
What would you like to gain from participation in this program?
What are your music career aims?
How do you think taking part in this program would help you achieve these aims?
3. Recordings of your original music (max 10 minutes). These do not have to be professional recordings – they can be demos, home recordings or smartphone videos. CDs can be sent to the address below, or you can direct us to up to 3 web links such as YouTube, Soundcloud or any other accessible web platform.
4. The name, position (if relevant), email and/or phone contact of a referee relating to your musical experience.
Please email the above information to info@nexusarts.org.au
You are welcome to instead submit your application via post or in person at our office in the Lion Arts Centre, cnr Morphett St and North Tce, Adelaide, 5000 (open Tuesday to Friday, 9-5pm). Please let us know if you would prefer not to submit a written application and we can arrange a time to meet to talk through your application process.
Applications will close on 22 February 2021, with selected participants notified shortly afterwards and program activities commencing in March 2021.
For any information, please call or email us at 08 8212 4276 or info@nexusarts.org.au
This program has been supported the Music Development Office through the Government of South Australia, Department of Innovation and Skills.
