Art Music Awards To Go Online In 2020 With More Inclusive Categories

The APRA AMCOS and Australian Music Centre Art Music Awards are set to return in 2020. 

The event is celebrating its tenth anniversary and this year will take place as a virtual event in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The awards will be curated by composer and pianist Barney McAll and hosted by Jonathan Biggins, and will feature a team of co-hosts and performances. 

"2020 has brought so much grief. Many of the world's preoccupations are proving empty," said McAll. 

"We can take solace in the truthfulness of our art music, a music that has always reflected a battle for awareness and manifested a force for transformation and renewal. Massive change has now become imperative to our survival as a species. I am honoured to be part of a musical culture that can only become increasingly important as so much emptiness is spotlighted and amended." 

This year sees an update to the award categories to become more inclusive and comprehensive. See the full category list below. 

The Art Music Awards will take place on Tuesday 8 September, with award nominees announced on Tuesday 11 August. 

2020 Art Music Awards Categories

Work of the Year: Choral

Work of the Year: Large Ensemble

Work of the Year: Dramatic

Work of the Year: Electroacoustic / Sound Art

Work of the Year: Jazz

Work of the Year: Chamber Music

Performance of the Year: Notated Composition

Performance of the Year: Jazz / Improvised Music

Award for Excellence in Music Education

Award for Excellence in a Regional Area

Award for Excellence in Experimental Music

Luminary Award – Individual

Luminary Award – Organisation

Luminary Awards – State/Territory Awards

Richard Gill Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music