Emily Wurramara Receives 10K Isol-Aid Grant For Industry Development

Tasmania-based blues and roots sensation Emily Wurrumara has been awarded the 2021 Isol-Aid Festival and 99designs by Vistaprint grant to help further her career and her place in the Ausmusic landscape.

The singer received the accolade after a selection panel chose her from a number of local acts. Wurramara was up against the likes of Bakers Eddy, Cry Club, and Vetta Borne amongst many more.

“When everything came to a stop I lost myself and wondered if it was worth it anymore," the musician said of being awarded the grant. 

"I almost gave up music, but I’m grateful to have found myself again and reignited my passion and appreciation for music."

Wurramara will also receive a one-on-one mentorship session with Killing Heidi singer and grant panel member Ella Hooper as part of the award. Hooper said of her new mentee, "It was truly inspiring hearing how these 25 artists navigated the challenges of the last year. It was a difficult decision to choose just one recipient for the grant, as each was so deserving in their own right but we’re so proud to bring this opportunity to Emily and her music. I’m looking forward to sitting down with her as she embarks on this exciting next phase of her creative career."

Isol-Aid founder Emily Ulman also shared her congratulations, adding, "We are so thrilled to announce Emily Wurramara as the recipient of this grant. She is the true representation of homegrown Australian talent, and is incredibly deserving of this opportunity."

She continued, "we received 975 nominations for the Isol-Aid Homegrown initiative and were blown away by Aussies and Kiwis turning out to nominate their favourite local artists. And while this terrible time has been particularly tough for emerging and grassroots talent, the calibre of these nominations makes me feel optimistic that the future of the Aus and Kiwi music scenes will be so very bright. 

"We are profoundly grateful to 99designs by Vistaprint for enabling us to provide this opportunity for Emily and for all artists who have been part of Homegrown.”