Nominations are now open for the 2018 Grant McLennan Fellowship, jointly funded by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and APRA AMCOS. This fellowship is a precious opportunity for local songwriters to win $25,000 and the chance to travel to New York, London or Berlin for up to six months, using the experience of being immersed in a foreign and vibrant musical culture, further developing their own artistic skills.

Brisbane singer-songwriter and 2017 recipient Jeremy Neale was glad that he had joined the fellowship last year. “It has been a great chance to fully immerse myself in music and I find myself saying yes to opportunities I generally wouldn’t be able to pursue back home due to time limitations. I feel inspired, productive and that what I’m learning will help me immensely in my future as a songwriter,” he said. Neale is currently in New York and using the experience to focus on improving his skills as a songwriter. “I’m only at the beginning of my journey here but have so far completed a two week songwriting intensive at NYU that has done wonders for my own writing and also made me comfortable with co-writing – which is something that I had avoided for most of my career but am now engaging in wherever possible.”

Minister for the Arts Leanne Enoch said this unique award had changed the lives and focus of past winners and inspired their songwriting, contributing to the region’s success as a hub for contemporary music in Australia. “Contemporary music is a global industry and the Grant McLennan Fellowship gives our top talent the chance to explore creative options and establish international networking opportunities that can benefit the wider local industry,” she said. Minister Enoch encouraged Queensland songwriters to apply for this year’s fellowship.

Founded in 2007 in honour of the late Queensland singer-songwriter and co-frontman of The Go-Betweens, Grant McLennan, the Fellowship is an incredible chance for local songwriters to take their careers to a whole new level.

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