Please note there have been some changes to below since previous funding rounds. Please read eligibility and selection criteria and T&Cs before applying.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING?

You are eligible to apply for the current MAICC funding round if:

• You are a current AAM member

• You are currently working as an artist manager

• You have a minimum of 2 years experience working in artist management

• You are an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident

• You hold a current valid passport

• You submit an application by the due date

• You must be applying as an artist manager - ie. a lead manager or co-manager - for the artist/s you are representing during this activity (not as a day-to-day manager, tour manager, or other role)

• You are ineligible to apply for funding for this current round (Round 1, 2025) if you received funding in the previous round (Round 3, 2024)

Only 1 manager per business/company can receive funding to attend the same conference in the same year. For example, if 2 managers from the same company wish to attend SXSW 2025, only one will be eligible for funding. However if 2 managers from the same company wish to attend different conferences - ie. one attending SXSW 2025, one attending Eurosonic 2025 - both managers are eligible to apply. (If you and another manager from within your business/company are planning to attend different conferences - whether it be within the same funding round, or different funding rounds - you are permitted to apply, providing you meet the other eligibility criteria.)

You do not need to be attending your event with a showcasing artist to be eligible to apply, although we do ask you to specify on your application form whether or not you are attending with a showcasing artist.

Ensure you have read the criteria and T&C’s before applying. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please email kate@aam.org.au to discuss.

If you are not a current AAM member and wish to apply to become a member, please visit https://www.aam.org.au/become-a-member.

Please refer to this webpage at the beginning of each new round for any updates on eligibility criteria that may apply.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• A commitment to a career in artist management, and that they are recognised by the industry, and their peers, as a professional music manager

• A comprehensive plan of activities they will undertake during their time at their specified event, demonstrating why this event - and that particular international market - is a priority territory for themselves and their artist/s at this time

• Clear goals for their artists and themselves in the international market, as well as demonstrating the potential for growth in this region

• A plan for how they intend to maximise the opportunities in the international market before, during and after the program

• A clear outline of their career plans for the next 12 months, which is both detailed and realistic, but demonstrates potential growth

• Letters of support from up to 3 industry professionals / peers. (Whilst letters of support are optional, we highly encourage managers of all levels to include letters of support with their application. These funding rounds are proving very competitive, and our suggestion moving forward is that applicants include letters of support, viewing these as key support material to boost the strength of their application. We encourage applicants to include letters from people outside of their own company/business.)

Please note that not all applicants will receive funding, and only a selected number of applicants will be successful in receiving funding per round. Special consideration will be given to those who haven’t received MAICC funding before.

The Association of Artist Managers believes in good governance and ethical practice. We are committed to ensuring that decision processes are transparent and that a clear conflict of interest policy is practiced with each decision on funding and opportunities. The AAM is governed by a Board of senior artist managers and music industry practitioners, most of whom volunteer their time. While still actively working in the industry, they offer their advice and expertise at a macro level, helping to steer the overall strategy of the organisation. AAM Board members are eligible to apply for funding and opportunities offered by the organisation, however the judgement of their applications is kept at an arms-length. No internal staff or other Board members have a say in the outcome of their applications, and the job is outsourced to affiliated organisations involved in the funding or opportunity, to make the final decision. Should you want to know more, you are more than welcome to contact the organisation with any questions about this conflict of interest process.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) will pay selected funding recipients (Activity Participants) up to AU$5,000 (excluding GST) as a lump sum upon receipt of a (a) fully executed Agreement and (b) a valid Tax Invoice. 

Agreements will be distributed to confirmed Activity Participants promptly upon confirmation of their involvement in this program.

• The Grant Funds shall be exclusively used by Activity Participants to contribute toward their costs of attending their specified event, including their flights, accommodation, event ticketing or admission and other similar associated costs.

• No later than 90 days from the last day of the event, Activity Participants must provide AAM with an Activity Report that provides details about the activities they undertook with regard to this program, including achievements, goals (including those not met), industry outcomes and benefits, and a breakdown of how the funds were spent.

• Travel Permissions: The Activity Participant has, or will obtain prior to the Activity, all visas, permissions, valid documentation and any other permits or exemptions required to travel to the region where their specified event takes place.

• As a condition of receiving the Manager Grant, the Activity Participant gives their permission to allow AAM, Sounds Australia and Creative Australia / Music Australia to use, without compensation, the participant’s name, professional information and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes in connection with the Grant, including on websites or social media channels controlled by the AAM, Sounds Australia and Creative Australia / Music Australia.

• It is a requirement that you inform us of any co-funding for this activity, whether it is confirmed before submitting your MAICC application; while waiting for the result; or after (and if) your application for MAICC has been successful.

• Please note it is the responsibility of all participants to arrange and pay for any insurance that they require to undertake this Activity. (If you wish to use some of your MAICC funding towards insurance costs, this is permitted.)