Simone Schinkel Steps Down as Music Victoria CEO

Simone Schinkel, the CEO of Music Victoria, has announced her departure from the organization at the end of the year. It caps off nearly four years of transformative work that has helped shape and elevate the Victorian music scene.

Schinkel, who took the reins during the challenging 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 driven a range of initiatives and programs aimed at supporting Victoria’s music community, from launching a help desk and resources for industry professionals to expanding the Music Victoria Awards. Her white paper, Priorities for the Victorian Music Industry, played a key role in prompting government action on crucial issues, including lifting a long-standing freeze on new late-night liquor licenses.

Reflecting on her time with Music Victoria, Schinkel said, “My journey at Music Victoria was made possible through an incredible and inspiring community alliance. We have achieved some great outcomes and it is a bittersweet moment that I announce my departure.”

“While the landscape has changed during my time at Music Victoria, the power of music remains strong. We have continued to shape a more sustainable and equitable future. The Victorian music industry will continue to soar.”

“Our work is a collective effort and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to engage with some incredible people to achieve our vision to champion the entire Victorian music sector,” said Schinkel. 

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our 5,000+ members, our dedicated staff and Board – both past and present – and our partners,  industry advisors, fellow peak bodies and collaborators,” Schinkel acknowledged. 

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 disabled artists and diaspora talent. In 2023, Music Victoria conducted the first statewide Victorian Live Music Census, offering 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 earned her praise from notable figures within the industry. Kutcha Edwards, a Mutti Mutti musician and Music Victoria Hall of Fame inductee, highlighted her impact on First Nations music communities, noting her “commitment to deep listening, reflecting, and learning.”

Jaddan Comerford, CEO of UNIFIED Music Group, commended Schinkel for her steady leadership through challenging times, while Eliza Hull, a musician and disability advocate, remarked, “Her passion for Victorian music, local artists, and the local industry was evident in every decision she made.”

Music Victoria’s Board Chair, Chris O’Neill, lauded Schinkel’s “incredible passion and dedication” and credited her for transforming the organization’s operations and securing essential support for the sector. Under Schinkel’s direction, Music Victoria expanded its advocacy, refined its internal processes, and fostered an inclusive culture within the team.

Schinkel will step down on Dec. 20, with Music Victoria’s board commencing the search for her successor.