AIR announces 90 mentees for 2021 Women In Music Mentor Program

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) has selected no less than 90 mentees for this year's intake of its four-year Women In Music Mentor Program.

The Commonwealth-supported scheme will see all participants receive mentoring tailored to their own skillsets and professional needs, empowering them to seek out and maintain key positions within the music industry.

As well as receiving hands-on training, each participant will take place in a professional development program, focusing on contract negotiation, financial literacy, marketing and leadership skills.

AIR's general manager, Maria Amato, congratulated each of this year's mentees and noted that the need for the mentoring program was stronger than ever before in 2021.

"The first round of the program was a huge success and we received great feedback.  This year, the demand for this incredible program remains strong with another diverse group of mentees from all sectors of the industry seeking to participate," Amato said.

"It is an honour to be delivering a program that aims to empower, educate and aid the progression of career development."

Minister for the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said that the intake of 90 mentees demonstrated the strength of the program and its success in fostering future music industry leaders.

"As the arts sector recovers from the pandemic, the professional capability of sector leaders will be vital – which is why this program to empower and educate women in the Australian music industry is so important and so timely," Fletcher said.

Applications for the 2022 Women In Music Mentoring Program open in May 2022.