MusicACT Professional Development Program
Presented and supported by the ACT Government through artsACT, The MusicACT Professional Development Program supports emerging and established artists and industry workers through a suite of free professional development opportunities and events.
Check out the 2025 program below and keep an eye out for more announcements by signing up to be a MusicACT MusicPro and following us on our socials: Instagram | Facebook
In 2024, MusicACT presented a cohesive calendar of professional development events and initiatives.
Upcoming Professional Development Events
Talking Heads | Start Making Sense of the music industry in the ACT and beyond. (ongoing)
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, “𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳?”
🎉 Let’s talk! 🎶
We’re excited to announce a brand-new program designed to help YOU level up your music career. Join us for 1-on-1 chats with our new Director, Sia Ahmad, and Program Manager, Aaron Crowe, who are here to offer advice on:
🎤 Performance & Venues
🌟 Industry Engagement
✍️ Grant Writing
📈 Professional Practice
++ more!
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to get personalized guidance from people experienced in the business. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! 💬
Open to ACT based artists and music-industry workers in emerging, early, mid, and late stage careers.
Kicking off 10 March 2025 onwards, book in a chat through the link below. Come to our new office at the NFSA for a coffee or meet us out at a venue all year round.
Get in touch.
The Hey Mate Project x MusicACT: “Nerves of Steel: Performance Anxiety Unplugged” | Workshop
A creative wellbeing workshop to help you calm the chaos and crush the stage.
MusicACT Music Awards 2024 (MAMAs)
The MAMAs (MusicACT Music Awards) are back in 2024 - bigger and better and held at the infamous pop-up venue The Vault on Tuesday 3rd December. Expect performances from some of the best our cool little capital has to offer, new award categories and a fresh feel to celebrate our unique and dynamic ACT music scene.
Nominations across 7 categories are open now - head to musicact.com.au/mamas for more information on how to nominate.
APRA AMCOS Equalize
Presented with APRA AMCOS, The National Film and Sound Archive and Music ACT. EQUALIZE is a free, practical one-day workshop for women and gender diverse musicians and producers*.
*Includes non-binary, trans, gender non-conforming, trans and other non-cis male gender expressions
EQUALIZE is a free, practical one-day workshop for women and gender diverse* musicians and producers. Taking place across Australia in October and November, participants will hone and develop their music production and DJing skills in a supportive, inclusive and open environment.
Hone your skills in:
Ableton music production with Belle Murphy: Beginner level workshops using Ableton. Please have Ableton installed on your laptop (download free 30-day trial here)
DJing with Freya Mimosa (and more TBA): an introductory workshop with some of the ACT’s finest emerging DJs to get familiar with using professional CDJs and mixing tracks. Music will be supplied by the facilitators or alternatively, if you’re experienced in exporting tracks through software for DJing, bring your own USB!
Future-proofing music venues
It's the topic on the tip of everyone's tongue right now - how can we safeguard the future of live and electronic music venues?
MusicACT and the Australian Live Music Business Council are proud to collaborate on this Music Chats event discussing music venue viability. This will involve the current state of play - particularly pertaining to insurances, as well as a look into what's happening around the country, practical resources for venues and other avenues forward.
We'll also open the floor for input from other venue managers, promoters, music workers and other stakeholders.
We welcome music venue workers, policymakers, music fans, and creators to join us in exploring key issues like venue insurance and how to elevate music venues as vital cultural spaces.
What's in a festival? A conversation with Ryan Sabet (Kicks Entertainment/Spilt Milk)
If you're an aspiring event promoter, artist who wants to play a festival or even just an interested music fan - come hear from the mind behind one of Australia's most successful touring festivals, and how it was born right here in our capital.
MusicACT Mentorship
An opportunity for mid-level career artists and industry workers to further their networks and gain personalised professional skill development. 3 artist mentorships, and 1 events/industry mentorship with mentors Scarlett McKahey (Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers), Harry Young (GYROstream/Damn Best Management), renowned international electronic producer Blanke and events whiz Kels Bagust (UCLivex, Sydney Opera House). Applications open in June.
It’s tax time! A digital music chat
We will be offering an open digital music chat to assist with tax time as the financial year closes out.
What’s in an album? A conversation with Scarlett McKahey of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers at Old Canberra Inn
We chat with songwriter and guitarist Scarlett McKahey of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers about their debut album I Love You and launching from Canberra to the world.
Night-Time Economy 101
We will be offering an open digital music chat to assist with tax time as the financial year closes out.
What’s in an album? A conversation with Citizen Kay at Gang Gang Cafe
We chat with songwriter and guitarist Scarlett McKahey of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers about their debut album I Love You and launching from Canberra to the world.
What’s in an album? A conversation with Gretta Ray at Gang Gang Cafe
A conversation with Gretta Ray about her latest album Positive Spin and coming-of-age in the music industry, designed to give participants inspiration and tips for their own careers.