Images: AWMA

The First-Ever ‘Australian Women In Music Awards’ Nominations Are Now Open

UPDATE: The First-Ever Australian Women In Music Awards Finalists Are Here

ORIGINAL STORY: Nominations for the first-ever Australian Women In Music Awards have officially opened, with organisers revealing the categories for this year’s inaugural ceremony.

First announced in March, the debut Australian Women In Music Awards will feature 14 award categories acknowledging women’s contributions to Australian music, including artists, people of colour, educators, photographers and managers.

Supported by the likes of Tina Arena, The Preatures’ Isabella Manfredi, Kate Ceberano and Jen Cloher, the awards seek to “redress the underrepresentation of women in the Australian music scene”, organisers say.

Last year, a study found women are “chronically disadvantaged” in the Australian music industry, and that “male artists and voices overwhelmingly dominate”.

“The music industry is clearly a male-dominated one and I urge women to seize this opportunity to showcase their industry worth, not only for those talented women on stage but also the many skilled ones behind the scenes,” says Queensland Minister for Women, Di Farmer.

“These awards are not just about picking up prizes – they also shine a light on the depth of female talent in the industry.”

Nominations can be made through the Australian Women In Music Awards website until 12th July. Finalists will be announced on 3rd September, before the awards take place in Brisbane on 9th and 10th October 2018.

See this year’s award categories, below.

Australian Women In Music Awards 2018 Categories:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented to a female artist or musician who has made outstanding artistic contribution to the field of recording and/or live performance during her lifetime.

Educator Award

Recognises an individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and/or to empowering Indigenous female artists in remote and regional communities.

Diversity in Music Award

Recognises individual artists or female-driven musical collaborations for their contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry.

Auriel Andrews Memorial Award

Recognises a true pioneer of Aboriginal women in music.

Studio Production Award

Recognises a female sound engineer or producer who has made contributions of outstanding significance in the studio recording environment.

Live Production Award

Recognises a female working in a live production or touring environment making significant impact in her field: Includes Tour Management, Live Sound, Lighting, Backstage and Roadcrew.

Music Leadership Award

Recognises a female CEO, Managing Director, Label Manager, A&R Director, Artist Manager or Publisher making significant impact in music industry leadership.

Songwriter Award

Recognises a female songwriter or composer who has made extraordinary impact nationally and/or internationally in the past 12 months.

Breakthrough Artist Award

Recognises a female artist who has had a significant breakthrough impact nationally in the past 12 months.

Music Photographer Award

Recognises a female music photographer currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work.

Film-maker Award

Recognises a female music videographer, clip-maker or film-maker currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work.

Artistic Excellence Award

Recognises exceptional creative achievement from a female artist/musician across any genre.

Creative Leadership Award

A curatorial award recognising excellence in creative programming from a woman working in a music festival, live performance/venue or media setting to champion female artists.

Musical Excellence

Recognises exceptional musicianship from a female musician across any genre.

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