Due to incredible interest and overwhelming industry demand, the nomination deadline for this year’s Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) has been extended. The strict cut-off now takes place at midnight on Monday, 22 June.
Each year, the AWMAs celebrate industry changemakers: artists and leaders who shape the Australian music industry. The annual awards and conference honour the contributions of First Nations, female, and gender-diverse artists and music practitioners across the industry, regardless of genre or area of work.
The Australian Women in Music Awards feature 22 award categories that recognise executive, technical, and creative excellence. This year, organisers are introducing a brand-new category: the inaugural Music Advocacy Award, established in partnership with and presented by ARIA.
The newly launched category honours women and gender-diverse heroes who champion the local music scene, all while working to make the industry safer and more equitable for all.
Artists, producers, engineers, photographers, journalists, elders, and others will be honoured at the award ceremony on Thursday, 22 October, at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall.
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“We’re not just celebrating talent, we’re actively shifting the dial toward a more inclusive and equitable future for Australian music,” said Founding Executive Producer and Program Director Vicki Gordon.
She continued, “Despite exceptional creative talent, women and non-binary professionals face deep-rooted structural barriers, including stark gender imbalances in radio airplay and festival lineups. Since inception in 2018, AWMA has recognised close to 3000 individuals.”
Last year, AWMA witnessed a 56% increase in nominations after introducing its #NominateThem campaign.
Encouraging people to nominate their peers – especially those who don’t feel comfortable putting themselves forward – AWMA notes that it’s also possible to nominate yourself, promoting a separate #NominateYou campaign. Individuals engaging with the campaigns can share through their social media accounts, with AWMA providing creative assets and captions.
Check out the award categories and find out more about this year’s event on the Australian Women in Music Awards website.
