Submissions Open for 2010 Grant McLennan Fellowship

Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh has announced the opening of the $20,000 Grant McLennan Fellowship for 2010, and encouraged the state's contemporary musicians to apply.  The Fellowship offers the recipient an opportunity to travel to New York, London or Berlin and use the experience of being immersed in a foreign and vibrant musical cultural to further develop their own artistic skills.

"This unique fellowship is having a real impact on our contemporary music scene," Ms Bligh said.

"Since it was first awarded three years ago it has assisted young Queensland musicians in building new skills and making their way in the music industry.

"The fellowship, administered through Arts Queensland, is also a fitting tribute to a Queensland icon, Grant McLennan, who died in 2006.

"Grant was one of Australia's greatest songwriters and a founding member of internationally successful 1970's Brisbane band The Go-Betweens who inspired so many more young Queensland musicians."

The Premier said the fellowship helped find songwriters with the potential to follow in Grant McLennan's footsteps to establish a strong musical career.

"This fellowship gives the winner a rare opportunity to spread their wings overseas," the Premier said, "and realises Grant McLennan's own experience of living overseas to gain creative inspiration."

Ms Bligh said the winner could select London, New York or Berlin as a destination.

"The winners from the past three years have each chosen a different city," she said. "The inaugural winner in 2007, Toowoomba songwriter Greg Charles, visited New York while 2008 winners, songwriting duo Chris Dale and John Busby of Halfway, furthered their career in London.

"Last year's winner, Helen Franzmann, will base herself in Berlin later this year and is exploring the potential of performing at summer festivals throughout Europe."

The winner also contributes a legacy item to the Grant McLennan archive at the State Library of Queensland reflecting their experience.

"This is another way the fellowship connects today's songwriters with Grant's enormous contribution to contemporary music," Ms Bligh said.

Applications for close 31 March 2010. For guidelines and applications, visit the Arts Queensland website www.arts.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3224 4896 or 1800 175 531.
 

Published: 17 Feb 2010 by Q Music Newsdesk