Qantas Spirit Of Youth Awards Open For Submissions

If you aren’t already familiar with this fantastic local initiative that honours creative young Australians you oughta get yourself an education, fool! The Qantas-sponsored Spirit Of Youth Awards (AKA the SOYAs) is the country’s leading grants program that supports emerging talent in the fields of fashion, music, film, industrial and object design, photography, visual communications and visual arts.

This year the Awards have stepped up their game with a new format ‘SOYA 365’ which again combines financial support (5000 clams) and an invaluable 12-month (that’s 365 days) mentorship from a leader in their respective industry. PLUS winners will be sent on a trip of a lifetime to a premier industry event in their field.

The mentors for 2011/2012 Awards are proper awe-worthy. They are:
Marc Newson (Design)
Nicky and Simone Zimmermann (Fashion)
Robert Luketic (Film and Video)
Polly Borland (Photography)
Lee Groves (Music)
Elizabeth Ann Macgregor (Visual Arts)
Vince Frost (Visual Design and Communications)
Ashley Ringrose and Brad Eldridge (Interactive Content and Gaming)
Markus Zusak (Written Word)
Brian Zulaikha (Architecture and Interior Design)
Marco Marenghi (Animation)

Music mentor Lee Groves, British producer/songwriter/engineer (who’s worked with folks like Depeche Mode, Madonna and Goldfrapp) is excited to be involved.

“The SOYA Awards are a tremendous opportunity for young writers, performers and bands to kick start their careers. With generous support from Qantas, a trip of a lifetime to CMJ Music Conference in New York and a chance of a years mentorship with yours truly, it really offers a terrific chance for upcoming talent.”

To say the least, Lee.

If you’re talented and under 30 you can’t afford NOT to submit. Head here to make your dream come true: www.soya.com.au.

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