Applications for the Lighthouse Award now open

$5,000 grant available for women and gender diverse artist managers

Previous recipients have included Bonnie Dalton, Charlotte Abroms, Hayley Ayres, Jen Cloher, Kristy Gostelow, Lorrae McKenna, Maggie Collins and Simone Ubaldi

The 2026 Lighthouse Award is now open to applications from women and gender diverse artist managers.

Managers are invited to apply now until Monday 23 March for the chance to receive a $5,000 grant to support their business and professional pursuits.

The Lighthouse Award exists to support a forward-thinking manager who is dedicated to Australian music. It was established to encourage women and gender diverse artist managers in memory of pioneering artist manger and mentor, Linda Gebar, who died tragically in 2008.

Gebar was one of the few women in artist management in the ‘90s, working with bands like The Killjoys, Frente and The Blackeyed Susans. She also booked the Punters Club, worked at PBS FM, had a record label and worked at APRA AMCOS.

Previous recipients of the award have included Bonnie Dalton, Charlotte Abroms, Hayley Ayres, Jen Cloher, Kristy Gostelow, Lorrae McKenna, Maggie Collins and Simone Ubaldi.

2025 Lighthouse Award recipient, Ash Hills from UNIFIED Music Group, explains: “The Lighthouse Award supported me with business-related travel in 2025. It supported me touring North America with Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers where the band supported Pearl Jam and played a number of headline shows. 

“During this trip, I made a number of connections with leaders in Nashville, Toronto and New York. I’m grateful for the recognition and support of the Lighthouse Award for making this trip possible.”

Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS, adds: “Women and gender diverse people are often marginalised in this industry, so to have an award that specifically encourages and supports managers to build and grow their careers in music is so important. 

“We’ve seen the next generation of incredible artist managers win this award over the past twelve years and go on to do great things, so we can’t wait to see this year’s applications!”

Applications are open now until Monday 23 March and the recipient will be announced at the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) Awards on Wednesday 29 April in Sydney.