Applications open for inaugural Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship, in partnership with Audible and ABC
The inaugural Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship – in honour of the late Jesse Cox – has been launched in partnership with Audible.com.au and the ABC.
The annual $20,000 grant will help a mid-career Australian storyteller create an innovative audio work. This includes, but is not limited to, audio producers, journalists, playwrights, visual artists, filmmakers and writers.
Jesse Cox passed away at just 31
The winner will receive mentoring and guidance from Audible’s marketing and content teams, aimed at supporting creative talent in the local audio community and boosting underrepresented voices.
The ABC will provide training, creative development mentoring and editorial support for the project, as well as access to equipment and services. The resulting content will be eligible for distribution by Audible and the ABC.
Jesse Cox was a Walkley-award-winning radio producer and the head of original content at Audible.com.au before he passed away in 2017 at the age of 31. Throughout his career, Cox developed programming for Sydney’s FBi Radio and ABC RN, focusing on uniquely Australian stories.
ABC acting head of specialist content, Richard Buckham, said it was Fox’s enthusiasm that inspired the innovate content found on ABC Radio.
“Jesse’s enthusiasm and passion for people and their stories had a great impact at ABC Radio, inspiring us to create even more innovative and imaginative audio content. We are proud to play a part in continuing his legacy through the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship, which will support emerging Australian audio makers in bringing big and bold ideas to listeners around the world.”
The Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship will continue Fox’s determination to strengthen and build the Australian audio community, amplifying audio storytelling and supporting local voices. Entries are encouraged from storytellers of any discipline.
Applicants must be five to 15 years into their creative discipline and the fellowship is open to solo entrants or groups of up to three.
Que Minh Luu, Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship founding member, said: “Jesse sought out the unexpected, and thrived on helping people share their stories. He’d be so proud to see this fellowship come to life, embarrassed by all the attention and full of ideas of how we could make it work better. The fellowship continues his efforts to bring new voices and audiences to audio and will establish his legacy long into the future.”
Leanne Cartwright-Bradford, country manager, Audible.com.au said: “Jesse was an exceptionally talented, inspiring and innovative member of the Audible team, making an incredible impact both on his colleagues and in his work in a short space of time. It is a privilege for Audible to be the Founding Sponsor of the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship, as we continue the work Jesse started to showcase the power of spoken word and shine a light on Australian voices.”
Entries for the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship are open from now until July 30.
topics
ABC
Audible Australia
Jesse Cox
Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship
Leanne Cartwright-Bradford
Que Minh Luu
Richard Buckham
