Entries for the 2013 edition of the Melbourne Prize have now officially opened, and not just to artists deemed popular or classical. This year, organisers are reaching out to participants from all corners of the musical universe, with a non-exclusive approach to genres, and for that matter, age.
Whether you’re in an esoteric acid jazz outfit, a bedroom recording army, a post-hardcore group or anything in between, you’re eligible to enter. Melbourne Prize 2013 will be open to all musical sensibilities. Individuals or groups can put their hand up, or for that matter be nominated.
Those who apply will be considered to take out one of the four key categories. The main prize is a cheeky $60,000 awarded on behalf of The Vera Moore Foundation, The Tallis Foundation and the Melbourne Prize Trust. To qualify for this, the website states that your musical efforts must have made “an outstanding contribution to Australian music and has enriched cultural and public life”.
The next big prize would be the Outstanding Musicians Award, offering $30,000 to artists whose recent work is “representing an outstanding example of creativity and skill”. The winner will be handed a $2,500 credit to fly with QANTAS on top of that. After that, there will be a $13,000 Development Award, which is made up of $7,000 cash and a $6,000 Yamaha Music Australia grant, and finally the Civic Choice Award for 2013, offering up a cool $4000.
Once the panel of music industry figures and artists, including previous prize winners David Jones and Paul Grabowsky, have decided the shortlist, finalists will be announced Wednesday, 4th September. This will be followed by a showcase of these artists at Federation Square running from Friday, 8th November to Friday, 22nd November. The winners will be announced Tuesday, 19th November.
Head over to the website now to enter, or nominate someone you think is worthy. Remember…Gotta be in it to win it!
