Call for applications: Raise The Bar Programme internship positions in SA

Developed as part of the Music In Africa Live programme – which is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung, and Goethe-Institute – the programme seeks to bolster the presence of women in other aspects of the music industry, as well as equip them with the skillset necessary for survival in an otherwise impenetrable industry.

The three internship positions are junior artist manager, junior booking agent and junior marketing manager. The programme consists of hybrid internships with mentors Zethu Gqola (marketing strategist), Jess White (Akum Agency) and Darwin Petersen (Jet Black Agency), and online sessions facilitated by shesaid.so.

Participants will gain insights from a leading network of industry professionals from PR agencies, distributors and booking agents and Texx and the City’s podcast series, which explores the inner workings and best practices in music marketing, PR, visual storytelling, and running a record label.

Requirements:

• Access to the internet and a laptop.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• A love for learning, collaboration and sharing what you learn with others.
• A strong sense of work ethic and a desire to succeed during the internship.
• Very clear evidence of your work in the position you’re applying for with examples.
• A creative approach to their practice, with a focus on developing artists/underrepresented communities.
• The internship positions are for women in South Africa aged from 18 to 35.
• Candidates must have at least two years of cumulative experience doing the work they are applying for (part-time is applicable).
• The internship is for three months and comes with a monthly stipend of R8 000 inclusive of data costs.

Roles

Junior artist manager

The purpose of this position is to gain an understanding of the intricacies and best practices in artist management. The candidate will learn how to set up a company, understand contracts, engage with various stakeholders within the music industry, develop the artist as a business, and coordinate events as well as supporting Bae Electronica artists Desiree and Gina Jeanz. The successful candidate will gain experience from working with artists and Akum Agency under Jess White’s supervision. The post is only open to applicants based in Johannesburg and will require some travel to events.

Apply here before 8 August.  

Junior music marketing manager 

The successful candidate will learn the ins and outs of music marketing strategy under the tutelage of music marketing strategist Zethu Gqola. This will include learning how to build a music marketing plan and develop a rollout strategy for Jackie Queens’ upcoming release. Additionally, the intern will play a crucial role in telling Bae Electronica's story, amplifying artists and events, and growing social media channels. This position is remote and not open to applicants in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Experience in running social media/creating content and promoting artists is essential.

Apply here before 8 August.

Junior booking agent 

As part of the job, the candidate is required to learn how to process bookings from the moment an enquiry is made until the sale is closed, negotiating fees with venues and promoters, contracting and logistics, and liaising with artist and managers. The candidate will work under mentorship of Jet Black Agency Darwin Peterson. The intern will provide support for Gina Jeanz and Desiree’s bookings, among others. Experience in booking artists in any capacity is essential either through events. This position is open to applicants in Cape Town only and will involve working at the Jet Black offices three days per week.

Apply here before 8 August.

“Since becoming an artist manager, I have seen many initiatives to empower and support artists, but almost none for music professionals, especially women who are underrepresented in decision-making positions,” Bae Electronica founder Jackie Queens said. “Industrywide, mentorship programmes and targeted interventions designed to combat gender inequality are sorely lacking.”

View the original call here.