Local musicians will have the chance to step into the spotlight with the return of Limelight, a music support fund presented by RAC Arena and supported by WAM.
Continuing RAC Arena’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent, Limelight will provide financial, performance and promotion opportunities to a chosen Western Australian act over a 12-month period.
RAC Arena introduced the initiative last year as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, which saw emerging band Alter Boy take out the inaugural support package worth more than $10,000.
This year, there will be even more opportunities for WA musos to have their time to shine, with two runners-up set to receive assistance alongside the main recipient.
The main prize is worth over $15,000 and includes:
- $5,000 financial assistance
- Radio campaign thanks to Nova Entertainment
- $2,500 music equipment thanks to Mega Music and Yamaha
- Inclusion in the WAMFest 2024 line-up
- Promotional support via RAC Arena’s marketing channels
Two runners-up will also receive a financial boost and promotion, valued at $3,000 each.
Emerging WA musicians over the age of 18 are invited to apply from November 6-19, detailing their goals for 2024, and how the support fund would help them achieve this outcome.
The winners will be chosen by a panel of local and interstate industry professionals. This year’s panel includes RAC Arena’s general manager Michael Scott, WAM board member Kristina West, Mackenzie Moor from Select Music Agency, Lemon Tree Music’s Kristie McCarthy, and artist manager Josh Terlick from Cut Above Collective.
Mr Terlick has first-hand experience of how life-changing Limelight can be, given he is also a member of 2023 winning act Alter Boy.
“It was such an honour to be the first recipient of the Limelight fund,” he says.
“Over the past 12 months, RAC Arena has absolutely gone above and beyond our expectations, by listening, being flexible and adaptable, and offering genuine help in ways that have truly benefited the band. We encourage all emerging WA artists to apply for the fund and we thank RAC Arena and all involved for their support.”
WAM’s Georgia Kennedy says: “WAM is delighted to be partnering once again with RAC Arena on the Limelight music support fund program. Last year’s campaign drew a significant number of applications from a slew of very worthy candidates, and I have no doubt that this year will be even better. This vital support, in the form of funding and performance opportunities, is more important than ever for our incredible artists and I can’t wait to see who our panel chooses this year.”
RAC Arena general manager Michael Scott says: “The team and I are incredibly proud of what our Limelight initiative has achieved so far, supporting one of the state’s great up and coming artists, Alter Boy, as they put the finishing touches on their debut album. Of course, our hope is to see the fund grow bigger and better each year, and we look forward to awarding two additional support packages to developing artists, alongside the main recipient in 2023. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to be able to host world class live entertainment for the people of WA and welcome the opportunity to give back to the community in this small way.”
Applications close at midnight, November 19, 2023, and the winner of Limelight will be announced on December 6 2023.
