WOMADelaide x NSS Academy

A training & development program established in 2020 for young and emerging First Nations and culturally diverse artists, developed in collaboration with the City of Playford’s Northern Sound System.

The Academy focuses on professional development for young musicians, through a program of workshops and events that includes song-writing intensives, studio sessions, and training in branding and publicity, small business skills and stagecraft/performance.

Since 2020, in collaboration with industry partner Northern Sound System, WOMADelaide has run The Academy. Over a ten month period each year, selected participants are offered training and development, through workshops and mentoring from local and interstate industry artists, and the opportunity to perform at the festival.

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Through The Academy, WOMADelaide supports:

• More performance opportunities for original contemporary music by Australian artists.
• Engaging audiences to create strong domestic markets for Australian music.
• Collaborating with other industry stakeholders to further the growth of Australian live music.

Training is mostly based at the vibrant NSS hub in Elizabeth, a youth-focused music venue and training hub, where they are guided by local and national music industry professionals.

Selected Academy artists will go on to perform at WOMADelaide, and others from the broader community get the opportunity to engage with the Academy Stage at the festival.

The NSS brings to the partnership a strong history of artist development and industry experience, having supported the likes of Tkay Maidza, Teenage Joans, George Alice, TOWNS and many more. The NSS hub also provides a creative environment for First Nations and culturally diverse artists to grow in a supportive setting with a real-world pathway.

“Over many years we have nursed an ambition to help build the future careers of young musicians, not only through experiencing the extraordinary artists who perform at the festival but through a tailor-made development program. We are thrilled that the Academy will combine professional mentors with NSS’s acclaimed training initiatives, further building WOMADelaide’s connection with local emerging talent and audiences across the community” - WOMADelaide Director, Ian Scobie

The WOMADelaide x NSS Academy receives assistance from the City of Playford, Northern Sound System (NSS) and is supported by Foodland.