Scholarship overview
Key facts
Application dates
This scholarship provides a stipend to support a Master of Commercial Music to research drivers of success for independent artists in Aotearoa New Zealand. The project should provide insights into what strategies and platforms independent artists are finding most effective for at the early stages of their career and how this relates to traditional markers of ‘success’ and ‘esteem’ in the music industries.
The project is expected to include both quantitative analysis and qualitative interviews. Quantitative data may be provided by relevant music industry bodies in Aotearoa New Zealand, or sourced via publicly available archives. This data will be used to identify artist case studies to explore further via qualitative interviews.
Creative Futures supports creative industries across Aotearoa New Zealand through community and industry engaged research initiatives. Our research focuses on exploring and promoting the value, long-term sustainability and potential of creative work.
We welcome expressions of interest that demonstrate the applicant’s background and aspirations, how their own interests and values support the proposed project, and their vision for how this research can contribute to contemporary understandings of music discoverability, and longer-term transformational change and sustainable careers in the local music sector. The applicant should demonstrate their understanding of the significance of intersectional approaches to and perspectives on independent music, and how the project can engage Te Tiriti o Waitangi outcomes within a creative communities context.
Applicants will normally have completed, or be in the final year of, a Bachelors or Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant field. (e.g. Music, Media Studies, Communications, Arts Management, Statistics etc.).
Preference will be given to candidates with experience or interests in creative careers, music industry and media ecosystems in Aotearoa. Applicants should demonstrate strong understanding of the current creative landscape in Aotearoa, strong critical skills, research capability, familiarity with data analysis methods, and the ability to communicate their ideas clearly through oral, visual and written forms.
The scholarship is funded by Creative Futures. As such, the successful applicant will be co-supervised by relevant members of Creative Futures, and will be expected to actively engage with cluster research activities and opportunities throughout their study.
For more information about Creative Futures, visit: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/colleges-schools-and-institutes/college-of-creative-arts/college-of-creative-arts-research/creative-futures/
Who we're looking for
Applicants will normally have completed, or be in the final year of, a Bachelors or Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification, in a relevant field (e.g. Music, Media Studies, Communications, Arts Management, Statistics, etc.).
Preference will be given to candidates with experience or interests in creative careers, music industry and media ecosystems in Aotearoa. Applicants should demonstrate strong understanding of the current creative landscape in Aotearoa, strong critical skills, research capability, familiarity with data analysis methods, and the ability to communicate their ideas clearly through oral, visual and written forms.
Applicants will be expected to have secured a partnership (Recorded Music NZ will be providing data for the recipient to work with).
Eligible candidates are encouraged to email Paul James at Creative.postgrad@massey.ac.nz
Subject line: Scholarship Enquiry – Creative Futures
Application checklist
Include the following with your application:
- Completed Bachelor or Honours qualification or B Average in 400/700 level courses if currently completing a Honours qualification at Massey
- Research/Project Proposal
- Transcripts and Portfolio if not currently studying with at Massey
- CV