News

The Association of Artist Managers in conjunction with Support Act announce Gimme Shelter: a mental health, resilience and wellness program for Artist Managers. 

The Association of Artist Managers (AAM), Australia’s peak body for artist managers, and Support Act, Australia’s only charity delivering crisis relief and mental health and wellbeing services to artists, crew and music workers, are proud and excited to announce details of Gimme Shelter 2020/21.

Gimme Shelter is an early intervention mental health program tailored to the music industry with a focus on artist management.  Developed by the AAM and delivered with assistance from Support Act and the Australian Government, Gimme Shelter is designed to build workplace skills, resilience and a long-term approach to mental health and wellbeing for managers and their artists.

Following a successful pilot program presented by Creative Victoria and attended in-person by thirteen Victorian managers in 2019,  Gimme Shelter 2020 will be delivered online and made available to over 190 artist managers nationwide, benefitting over 800 artists which those managers collectively represent.

Gimme Shelter 2020/21 will be delivered as an online program which includes;

1. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): gaining a 3 year accreditation facilitated by Rumpus
2. Creative health and resilience with Psychologist Dr Chris Stevens
3. Conflict resolution and management training with Reboot Resolve
4. Wellness and mindfulness with AccessEAP

Cath Haridy, Executive Director of the AAM says:

In the current unprecedented climate of the COVID-19 pandemic, a program that enables managers to build and enhance their professional skills, resilience and develop a clear framework to respond to the challenges of mental health and wellbeing has never been more critical.

The devastating loss of income and future income uncertainty for artist managers and their artists may lead to further and ongoing mental health issues.   Gimme Shelter will provide a proactive and preventative approach, contributing positively to the music eco-system with real and comprehensive outcomes.

Clive Miller, CEO Support Act says:

We have been excited by the potential for this program to positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of artist managers and their artists since reading the evaluation of the pilot from last year. The rollout of this online program, and its ability to train up to 70% of AAM’s membership promises to be a real game changer when it comes to how mental health and well-being are perceived and managed in the music community”.

Gimme Shelter registration is open to all members of the AAM from Monday 15th June.  Australian artist managers of all levels are encouraged to join the AAM to be eligible for the Gimme Shelter program by applying at https://www.aam.org.au/become-a-member

The AAM only exists due to the core funding it receives via APRA AMCOS and PPCA alongside  AAM Legacy MembersAlbertsCattleyard ProductionsLeanne de SouzaMushroom FrontierSelect Music and Sony Music.

The AAM acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.