Simone Schinkel, the chief executive of Music Victoria, has announced her departure from the organization at the end of the year. It concludes nearly four years of transformative work that helped shape and elevate the Victorian music scene.
Schinkel, who took the reins during the difficult early days of the pandemic, has overseen an era of substantial growth, spearheaded major advocacy efforts and secured more than $88 million in direct government funding for the sector.
Throughout her tenure, Schinkel has led a number of initiatives and programs aimed at supporting Victoria's music community, from the creation of a help desk and resources for industry professionals to the expansion of the Music Victoria Awards. Her white paper, Priorities for the Victorian music industryhe played a key role in driving government action on critical issues, including lifting a long-standing freeze on new late-night liquor licences.
Reflecting on her time with Music Victoria, Schinkel said: “My journey at Music Victoria has been made possible through an incredible and inspiring community alliance. We have achieved some great results and it is a bittersweet moment to announce my departure.”
“While the landscape has changed during my tenure at Music Victoria, the power of music remains strong. We continued to shape a more sustainable and just future. The Victorian music industry will continue to soar.”
“Our work is a collaborative effort and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with some incredible people to achieve our vision of championing the entire Victorian music sector,” said Schinkel.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our 5,000+ members, dedicated staff and board – both past and present – and to our partners, industry advisors, fellow industry leaders and partners,” acknowledged Schinkel.
During her tenure, Schinkel introduced new Music Victoria Award categories to celebrate the diversity of Victoria's music, including Best Pop, Best DJ, Best Regional Festival and awards for artists with special needs and diasporic talent. In 2023, Music Victoria ran the first statewide Victorian Live Music Inventoryoffering valuable insights into the health of the industry post-pandemic, with a follow-up scheduled for release later this year.
Schinkel's collaborative leadership style has won her praise from notable industry figures. Lame Edwards, A Mutti Mutti musician and Music Victoria Hall of Fame inductee, she highlighted her impact on First Nations musical communities, noting her “commitment to deep listening, reflection and learning”.
Jaddan ComerfordCEO of UNIFIED Music Group, praised Schinkel for her steadfast leadership in difficult times, while Eliza Hulla musician and disability advocate, remarked: “Her passion for Victorian music, local artists and local industry was evident in every decision she made.”
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Music Victoria, Chris O'Neill, he praised Shinkel's “incredible passion and dedication” and credited her with transforming the agency's operations and securing meaningful support for the sector. Under Schinkel's guidance, Music Victoria has expanded its advocacy, improved its internal processes and fostered an inclusive culture within the team.
Schinkel will step down on December 20, as Music Victoria's board begins a search for her successor.
