SOLO artists or bands of up to six people are invited to apply to be part of Creative Ballarat\u2019s second Be_Hear\/Now project.<\/p>\n
Aimed at boosting the profiles of local musical talent, artistic director Kate Berry said eight acts will be selected to have one of their songs recorded and made into a small music video.<\/p>\n
These will be filmed in a location that celebrates Ballarat and has meaning to the artists.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will walk away from Be_Hear\/Now with properly produced assets that are beneficial to them, with professionally recorded sound and video,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can share these with the world and really show off their skills. This year, we\u2019re also giving these artists tools to help themselves beyond this event, which is what we see as the real benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll sit down with them, work out where they are with their music, and what help they need to further their careers, whether that be through mentoring or workshops.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the live music industry struggles, impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and venue closures, Ms Berry said it\u2019s an ideal time to back local artists, whether they\u2019re popular or lesser-known, and locate hidden \u201cgems\u201d throughout the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pleased to be able to give them an opportunity to share themselves with a wider audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no live music opportunities at the moment, so people are really limited with the avenues in which they can showcase themselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout the program, artists also have the chance to meet each other and support one another.\u201d<\/p>\n