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08-01-2005, 10:23 AM
from the Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/01/07/1104832304180.html
Some rock stars spend their fortunes on mansions, private jets and
high-grade cocaine. But ARIA's "best male artist" of 2004, John Butler, has
decided to give something back, offering $50,000 in grants to indigenous
artists, refugees and social activists.
Butler is Australia's most successful independent artist - his album Sunrise
Over Sea was one of the top albums in Australia last year, selling nearly
300,000 copies.
He releases his music on his own independent label, Jarrah Records, so
receives a higher percentage of profits from each CD than artists tied to
major labels.
Butler has set up the JB Seed grant program to support artistic expression
and encourage the "social, cultural and artistic diversity in Australian
society".
"As a musician, a businessman and an activist at a time when there's so much
bad news going on, I'm trying to create something positive," he said.
"I received a few grants in the formative years of my career that gave me a
great boost and invaluable assistance, and so I appreciate how significant
this type of funding can be to an artist's development and long-term goals."
There are five categories for funding: the multicultural arts program for
refugees on temporary protection visas; for indigenous music; for music
marketing; the music workshops and professional development program and
social activism through the arts program.
Butler hopes other musicians will contribute and keep the fund going. "It's
an artist-friendly process. We don't want a 30-page application, we just
want one page of your ideas." Send applications to www.jbseed.com by March
15.
Some rock stars spend their fortunes on mansions, private jets and
high-grade cocaine. But ARIA's "best male artist" of 2004, John Butler, has
decided to give something back, offering $50,000 in grants to indigenous
artists, refugees and social activists.
Butler is Australia's most successful independent artist - his album Sunrise
Over Sea was one of the top albums in Australia last year, selling nearly
300,000 copies.
He releases his music on his own independent label, Jarrah Records, so
receives a higher percentage of profits from each CD than artists tied to
major labels.
Butler has set up the JB Seed grant program to support artistic expression
and encourage the "social, cultural and artistic diversity in Australian
society".
"As a musician, a businessman and an activist at a time when there's so much
bad news going on, I'm trying to create something positive," he said.
"I received a few grants in the formative years of my career that gave me a
great boost and invaluable assistance, and so I appreciate how significant
this type of funding can be to an artist's development and long-term goals."
There are five categories for funding: the multicultural arts program for
refugees on temporary protection visas; for indigenous music; for music
marketing; the music workshops and professional development program and
social activism through the arts program.
Butler hopes other musicians will contribute and keep the fund going. "It's
an artist-friendly process. We don't want a 30-page application, we just
want one page of your ideas." Send applications to www.jbseed.com by March
15.