Industry Access

Unlock Real Industry Momentum with OCA’s 'Industry Access' Series

Are you an active local musician looking for high-value networking and upskilling opportunities? Want an educational "sneak peek" into the exact hands-on, real-world experience Oxford Creative Academy (OCA) students get every single day?

Oxford Art Factory and Oxford Creative Academy are proud to present Industry Access, a new monthly event series, featuring active professionals from across the music industry.

With alternating online webinars and face-to-face sessions right here at the Oxford Art Factory, speakers will share their personal career journeys, break down real-world case studies, and give honest advice on how to progress your career in the music business.

This series is your chance to step inside our community, expand your network, and experience what it takes to build real industry momentum firsthand.

This Month's Session with SARAH HAMILTON (July 15th, 5:30pm - 6:30Pm)

Sarah Hamilton has been working in digital distribution and the online music space since its inception in Australia in the mid 2000s, and was the Regional Manager of Australia and New Zealand for Ditto Music for close to ten years. She loves helping independent artists gain access to opportunities, understand the digital world, and promote their music internationally. Sarah is also a co-founder of the charity One of One, which highlights women and non-binary people working within the music industry.

Sarah has been listed in The Music’s Power 50 list of influential people in the Australian music industry twice, and was also awarded the Music Victoria inaugural award for an Outstanding Woman in Music for her work with One of One. In 2024 she launched her music consulting company Golden Hour, and is working with people and artists she loves.

In this session, we will be diving into four key themes to help you navigate the modern industry:

In the modern digital landscape, cutting through the noise requires more than just good music. Independent artists need to act as their own A&R scouts to assess audience response and evaluate their marketability.
Grassroots artists often collaborate within their immediate network, making it dangerously easy to overlook formal agreements. Understanding the rights of all parties in a deal is essential to protect your intellectual property.
Independent artists must compete sonically on global streaming platforms with a fraction of the budget of major label acts. Learning how to allocate resources efficiently and adjust recordings to achieve project outcomes on a budget is a vital survival skill.
A great EP means nothing if no one hears it. Today’s aspiring creatives often must act as their own artist managers, which requires them to identify commercial opportunities, network strategically, and build sustainable career outcomes.

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Check out our list of guests coming up:

Luke Byatt

20/06/26 - OAF Gallery Bar
Luke has built a career at the intersection of music, media and technology, from founding FutureMag Music to driving product strategy at TikTok and helping creatives and brands connect with culture.

Sarah Hamilton

15/07/26 - Online Webinar
Sarah is the founder of Golden Hour and co-founder of charity One of One, which highlights women and non-binary people in the music industry. Sarah has deep experience across distribution, streaming strategy, A&R, PR and helping independent artists build sustainable careers.

EMILY COPELAND

19/08/26 - OAF Gallery Bar
Emily is a senior music and media executive who has led major projects across Music Australia, ABC, ARN and CADA, with a focus on strategy, partnerships, audience growth and culture.

LiVE EXCerpt

In this live event excerpt, music industry professional Luke Byatt breaks down the core pillars of long-term sustainability for emerging artists. You'll learn why owning your data through a direct connection is crucial, how to maintain a consistent sonic and visual brand identity, and the best ways to network by providing value and showing your skill.

The Student view from our last Industry Access Event with Joel Farland

Lessons taken from Industry Access #2 with Jono Harrison

The "Founder Mentality" & Embracing Rejection

Jono stressed that artists and managers need to treat themselves like business founders. This means expecting to hear "no" when pitching to radio or negotiating deals, and using that rejection as valuable feedback to improve.

Finding Your Tribe & Building Local Fans

Jono advised that an artist's first fans and collaborators will likely come from grassroots communities. He recommended volunteering at community radio stations (noting their huge economic impact on local venues), physically going to local studios like Kiln Studios in Leichhardt, regularly attending Music Makers Club or using the "Vampr" app to find collaborators.

Networking by Adding Value (The 51/49 Rule)

Drawing from his time at Spotify, Universal, and Triple J, Jono shared that the most effective networking strategy is to ask, "How can I help?" before pitching your own projects. He refers to this as the 51/49 rule—giving more than you take.

Longevity & Mental Health in the Industry

Jono was incredibly transparent about his own struggles with burnout early in his career, which even caused him to develop beard alopecia. He emphasised the importance of a 10-year long-term view, listening to your body, and using resources like Support Act for mental health.

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register for the next event.

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