The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) has revealed that entries are now open for this year’s AAM Awards, plus announced the date and location.
The 2026 AAM Awards will be held at Sydney’s Crowbar at lunchtime on Wednesday, 29 April. Entries for this year’s award categories are now open and will close on Tuesday, 3 March, at 11:59 pm AEDT. You can read more about the awards and enter here.
Honouring the achievements of Australian artist managers and their global impact, dedication, and passion, the annual event – now in its fifth year – brings together artist managers and industry professionals to celebrate milestones.
The AAM Awards are presented by White Sky. The invite-only event will feature live performances, special guest speakers and presenters, and, for everyone in the room, finger food and drinks from midday.
Six award categories will be presented at this year’s ceremony, with winners and nominees decided by a judging panel of music industry professionals. The categories are:
Manager of the Year - Presented by White Sky
Breakthrough Manager of the Year - Presented by DMT Law Firm
Emerging Manager of the Year - Presented by PPCA
Legacy Award - Presented by Frontier Touring
Community Engagement Award
Patron's Gift Award
AAM Members can enter themselves, or another manager, in one or more of the following categories: Manager of the Year, Breakthrough Manager of the Year, Emerging Manager of the Year, and Community Engagement Award.
The APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award will also be presented during the event, but can’t be entered like the other categories – the Lighthouse Award is curated by the AAM Board. Entries don’t apply to the Patron’s Gift Award, either, as that’s curated by AAM Patrons.
“We are excited to announce the return of the AAM Awards,” said AAM Executive Director Maggie Collins. “Developing an artist in recent times is more complex, more competitive and more demanding than ever before. It requires an extraordinary mix of creativity, resilience and long-term thinking.”
Collins continued, “The AAM Awards are a chance to pause and recognise the managers who, over the past 12 months, have quietly steered careers through that reality, building sustainable pathways for artists, often against the odds.
“We’re looking forward to uncovering those stories and celebrating the central role managers play in holding together Australia’s music ecosystem.”
