Changes Expected For AMP After COVID-19: ‘The Prize Money Will Be Noticeably Affected’

The process of compiling the 2020 Australian Music Prize (AMP) longlist is already underway, but organisers have revealed financial struggles due to the current COVID-19 pandemic may alter the next instalment of the coveted award significantly.

Last month it was revealed that Melbourne-based artist Sampa The Great took out the 2019 award and its accompanying $30,000 cash prize with her album The Return, and while judging will remain the same to determine the next winner, “the important other side of what the AMP does will be noticeably affected”.

“Less funds means we have very limited means of marketing/promotion of those Australian artists making the best new music in 2020,” Australian Music Prize director Scott Murphy told The Music.

“The marketing and promotion and of course, the prize money [will be noticeably affected]. However, I’m actually quite confident we can pull a rabbit out of hat - and we have time to do so.”

While Murphy believes the initial reaction from the industry will be disappointment, he highlighted the other benefits of being nominated and winning.

“I believe most artists will be comfortable with the thought that their albums have been heard by experts, appreciated and labelled as the best our country has produced and this will make a difference,” he said.

“I can’t tell you how many times when I’ve notified an artist that their album has been heard and nominated and they have replied, ‘OMG, I was going to give up, I can’t get media attention, sales are terrible but you’ve come along and said it has been nominated as one of the best of the year.’

“There have been many other positive outcomes from being shortlisted for the AMP - better time slots at festivals, increased media attention and - very importantly – significantly increased foreign engagement. The AMP can and should go on and I’m here to make it so.”

The 2020 AMP longlist will be revealed later this year before the shortlist is revealed early next.

Sampa The Great