Artist Representation
Apply for artist representation to have your works and profile included in the Australian Music Centre catalogue.
About Artist Representation
Artists must be represented by the AMC and have a financial AMC membership to have an AMC profile, have information about their works documented, and submit materials such as scores, parts and recordings to the catalogue.
The AMC has 2 categories of artist representation: Associate Representation and Full Representation.
Associate Representation is offered through application. Works by Associate Artists must be eligible (under section 1.3 in the AMC Artist Representation Policy) to be documented in the AMC catalogue.
Full Representation is offered by period review of all AMC Associate Artists. All works by artists with Full Representation are eligible to be documented in the AMC catalogue.
Read the full AMC Artist Representation Policy (PDF)
Continue reading below for more information on scope, benefits and the application process for becoming an AMC Represented Artist.
Scope
The Australian Music Centre (AMC) supports a wide range of artists creating work in genres such as art music, contemporary classical, jazz, improvisation, screen, experimental, multimedia, dramatic, installation, and sound art. We support artists working in an educational context, whose work is recognised as having widespread utility in pedagogy.
We recognise that music is a dynamic and ever evolving artform. We embrace this and continue to adapt as it transforms and expands.
We house and curate the most comprehensive catalogue of Australian music - a living collection of scores, recordings, research papers, teaching kits, classroom materials and aggregated media. The work itself is at the core of how we catalogue, enabling us to house information not only about score-based music, but music that extends and questions current practices.
Benefits of representation with AMC
- Access to our artist portal to update your profile and submit materials
- Documentation of works by you in the collection (for Associate Artists, these works must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria listed in 1.3 Eligibility Criteria in the AMC Artist Representation Policy)
- Access to our in-house publishing services to facilitate the retail sale of unpublished works as physical and digital scores, performance parts, electronics parts, and digital audio (up to 20 new or revised score/parts submissions per year)
- Access to our Hire of Parts service to facilitate the use of performance parts of large-scale unpublished works
- Documentation of published works
- Online biography and photo featured on our website
- Inclusion of works and associated materials in our physical and digital library collections
- Royalties from the sale and hire of materials. See our Royalty Policy for more information.
AMC represented artists retain full copyright of their works. Our licence to reproduce and document works is non-exclusive, which means artists with publishers or looking to sign on with a publisher can still have representation with AMC.
For composers of notated music
We produce and distribute your scores and performance parts for sale, both in digital and physical format. For large scale works, we make and facilitate the hire of parts for large ensembles. Scores are added to our digital library – as secure way for AMC members to browse watermarked scores on our website.
For creators of installations, multimedia works, and sound art
We document the work and any public presentations of it. Documentation can be written descriptions, videos, links to analysis, and recordings.
For improvisers, creators of text-based scores and jazz artists
We document improvisation-based works, as well as recordings and performances of those works. We can produce and distribute lead sheets or graphic/text-based scores, both in digital and physical format.
For composers who use electronics
We facilitate the sale of pre-recorded or electronic parts needed for performance in a variety of formats.
For composers of screen and game music
We document information about screen works and document recordings available of them. We can also produce and distribute your scores and performance parts available for sale, both in digital and physical format. These scores can be in cue formats as well as performance arrangements.
FAQs
What can be used as evidence?
The exact form of evidence used will vary based on the nature of your musical practice. Common examples include program notes, online event listings, or email exchanges between yourself and a third party (e.g. a commissioner or performer).
It is a firm requirement that all evidence must contain your name, and the name of the particular work you are submitting.
Does the AMC claim copyright over their artists' music?
No! The AMC does not operate like a traditional music publisher – represented artists keep their own copyright. We work with a non-exclusive license to reproduce artists’ music for sale or hire, and distribute royalties to the artist(s) who composed the work.
This non-exclusive license also means that you can have your works lodged in our system and listed on our website even if they are sold through another publisher.
What counts as a 'work'?
For the purposes of this application, a work is defined as a single complete musical composition or expression. This includes music with movements or sub-works (i.e. song cycles). Individual movements or sub-works should not be used as separate works for the purpose of this application. Installations, improvised music, and film scores also are understood as works and can be used in the application.
Arrangements are not accepted as part of the application, we are looking for original works.
What counts as a commercial recording for criteria iv?
We are looking for commercial recordings released by recognized music distributors. As such, music that is self-released to streaming platforms does not qualify. Uploads of your work to sites such as YouTube or Instagram also will not count.
Does a work I wrote during university qualify as having been used in an education context under criteria ix?
We are looking for a work that has been utilized as a pedagogical tool for the education of a third party. As such, a work produced as a school or university assignment during your own education is not considered eligible.
Even if your work was incorporated into the education of other students at your institution (e.g. by becoming a set work for a school ensemble, or being performed in a performance student’s recital), it will likely not meet our criteria. While developing networks of connection and collaboration within one’s student peer group is incredibly valuable, we do not consider this to be demonstrative of broader community recognition.
For the same reason, competitions that are open only to the students of a particular institution do not count under criteria vi.
Can I ask for feedback about my works before submitting?
Yes! Associate representation is granted on a non-competitive basis, meaning any artist who successfully meets our criteria will be offered representation. As such, you are welcome to ask for feedback regarding the validity of your work and your evidence in advance of submitting.
If your submission is found insufficient to meet our criteria, you will be contacted and given an opportunity to supply alternate evidence or alternate works for consideration.
Application Process
Associate Representation status is offered to all applicants who are able to establish that they have produced four original works which each meet two of the eligibility criteria listed in the AMC Artist Representation Policy. Arrangements are not accepted as part of the application. Collaborative works are accepted.
Applicants must provide evidence to establish their works meet the nominated eligibility criteria. Evidence may include (but is not limited to) letters from the people/ensembles/organisations involved, programmes that clearly name the work and applicant, media articles/press releases/announcements that name the work and applicant.
Applications are assessed twice a year. The cut off dates for each assessment period are 30 May and 30 November each year. All applicants are notified of the outcome 4-6 weeks after the round end dates.
Apply for Associate Artist representation
For more information
Email us to discuss your eligibility and application for AMC representation.
