Coles + The Mushroom Group partner up as First Nations Pathway Program extends into music
(Pictured L-R: Coles ambassador, Eddie Betts, Mushroom Group chief executive, Matt Gudinski and Coles chief marketing officer, Lisa Ronson).
Coles has extended its First Nations Pathway Program into music by forming a new partnership with the Mushroom Group and its creative agency, Mushroom Creative House. The program, designed and facilitated by Mushroom, has been built to help young Indigenous aspiring musicians gain valuable music experience and mentorship.
The multi-year partnership will build on the existing Coles First Nations Pathway Programs which currently focus on sport. This extension will now provide opportunities and education to aspiring Indigenous artists in musical fields. The program will provide young Indigenous talent with an immersive educational experience of the music industry, in addition to mentoring and future employment opportunities. Coles Radio will also expand its support of the Australian music industry with the mentors in the First Nations Pathway Program to host dedicated segments on one of Australia’s most listened to digital radio stations.
Continuing with the legacy built by Mushroom Group founder Michael Gudinski; Mushroom’s chief executive Matt Gudinski proudly supports the Coles First Nations Pathway Program. Mushroom has long been an advocate for Australia’s Indigenous music community and continually sought opportunities to showcase a wide range of Indigenous artists. Michael is remembered for opening doors for many First Nations artists, and to this day the Mushroom Group is affiliated with Indigenous artists such as Dan Sultan, Emily Wurramara, Troy Cassar-Daley, Baker Boy and many more.
Says Matt Gudinski, chief executive, Mushroom Group: “This partnership with Coles sees the Mushroom team draw on our wealth of knowledge from the music industry and create a program that will nurture and develop the next wave of many talented First Nations artists. Mushroom has been a long-time champion of First Nations artists, representing icons such as Archie Roach and Yothu Yindi. Through this partnership, Mushroom and Coles establishes a platform that’s invaluable for evolving up and coming creatives.”
Coles chief marketing officer Lisa Ronson said Coles is excited to be working with the Mushroom Group to extend the First Nations Pathway Program to help young Indigenous musicians: “We will support by sharing the stories and music of these talented musicians through our own network like Coles Radio and our instore magazines so we can raise more awareness of the talents of young artists.
“We have absolutely loved to see how the First Pathway Program has developed the confidence, talent and life skills of young Indigenous athletes involved in AFL, AFLW and NRL and we’re thrilled that we can now expand this experience to include young musicians who have dreams of performing on stage and sharing their wonderful talents with the world.”
The program will feature an intensive four-day music masterclass with industry experts including Masterclass Facilitator and Cultural Advisor Scott Darlow, to help develop the aspiring artists and provide invaluable experience and insight into the music industry. Artist mentors will work with the artists throughout the year with a variety of one-on-one mentoring sessions.
The music arm of the First Nations Pathway Program is designed to celebrate First Nations music and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent. Mushroom Creative House have created the Program through their intimate knowledge of the music industry and have designed and facilitated a program for Coles that provides First Nations artists with a foothold in the music industry.
Lead by Pathway Program mentors Emily Wurramara and Nooky, the Program will feature participants from all around Australia, across a mix of musical genres, including pop, electro and rap. Participants include Jay Gonsalves (VIC), Angus (Aya J) (QLD), HARTCOLE (WA),Bumpy (VIC), dameeeela (QLD), Hylander (NSW), Tyler (The Terrifying Lows) (VIC) andGLVES (QLD).
Mushroom Creative House were also thrilled to commission contemporary Aboriginal artist Rachael Sarra from Goreng Goreng Country, to design an artwork for use throughout the Program. Rachael uses art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution.
