Nominations are open now.
Nominations for the 2021 Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) have now opened, celebrating the achievements of women and female-identifying working in the Australian music industry after last year’s awards were canceled due to the pandemic.
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The awards return to Brisbane on October 5 and 6 following last year’s cancellation due the pandemic as Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk said they are delighted to once again host the event.
“It is wonderful to see this fantastic showcase of female talent, proudly supported by the Queensland Government, back on Australia’s events calendar,” she said.
“With two new categories, a groundswell of emerging young talent and Queensland’s strong health response to the pandemic, this year’s awards are set to be bigger and better than ever.”
The two new categories include the live production award being expanded to separate awards for creative and touring production, with the AWMAs also introducing the new Tina Arena Special Impact Award.
The award named in the iconic singer’s honour recognises an unsung champion whose contributions and services to the industry have been impactful but have received little recognition.
Arena said, “I believe that by working together, alongside the leadership of AWMA, we have an unprecedented opportunity to improve the culture of the Australian Music Industry for the better and pave the way for more women to be recognised across the sector”.
The AWMA has enlisted a panel of 30 jurors to adjudicate this year’s awards, which Senior Lecturer of Professional Practice at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Dr Diana Tolmie will head.
Check out all the categories below. Nominations for all award categories are open now, and close on July 6.
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to a female artist or musician who has made an outstanding artistic contribution to the field of recording and/or live performance during her lifetime.
- Inaugural Tina Arena Special Impact Award – This award honours an unsung champion of the Australian music industry.
- Humanitarian Award – Recognises an individual (female, male and GNC) who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education, and/or assisting female artists working in remote and/or regional communities.
- Diversity in Music Award – Recognises individual artists or female-driven musical collaborations for their contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry.
- Studio Production Award – Recognises a female sound engineer or producer who has made contributions of outstanding significance in the studio recording environment.
- Live Creative Production Award – Recognises a female working in a live production environment making significant impact in her field: includes but is not limited to roles such as Live Sound, Lighting & Visual Design, Set Design, Show Producer etc.
- Live Production Touring Award – Recognises a female working in a live production or touring environment making significant impact in her field: Includes Tour/Operations/Promotions Management, Tour Assistant, Backstage, Roadcrew, and other related support roles.
- Music Leadership Award – Recognises a female CEO, Managing Director, Label Manager, A&R Director, Artist Manager or Publisher making significant impact in music industry leadership.
- Songwriter Award – Recognises an outstanding female songwriter or composer.
- Emerging Artist Award – Acknowledges an outstanding emerging female artist.
- Music Photographer Award – Recognises a female music photographer currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work.
- Film-maker Award – Recognises a female music videographer, clip-maker, film-maker, or music animator currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work.
- Artistic Excellence Award – Recognises exceptional creative achievement from a female artist/musician across any genre.
- Excellence in Classical Music Award* – Recognises a mid-to-late career female classical music artist who has demonstrated musical excellence throughout her career. (*Includes conductors and artists working in the field of opera.)
- Music Journalist Award – Recognises a female music journalist, blogger or editor who has made a creative contribution and courageous impact in truth telling and innovative reporting in the Australian Music Industry.
- Excellence in Image Making Award – Recognises a female hair and/or makeup artist and/or stylist* working to change the face of music visually to break down gender, race and social cultural stereo types. (*Stylist to include those working within costume and/or wardrobe activity)
- Creative Leadership Award – A curatorial award recognising excellence in creative programming from women working in broadcast media (radio, tv, online, streaming services), a music festival or live performance/venue to champion female artists.
Head to the AWMA website to find out more.
