Nominations are officially open from today for the prestigious Australian Women in Music Awards featuring an exciting, new category.
A Women in Heavy Music category has been created in direct consultation with industry to reflect the depth and breadth of influence women are having on music in this country.
“Powerful female figures, artist managers, booking agents and label managers are putting their stamp on a genre that’s been historically male-dominated,” founding executive producer and program director Vicki Gordon said.
“Women have become a driving force for Heavy Music across many sub-categories from folk to black metal, and we look forward to shining a light on their extraordinary contribution.”
Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) is one of the most important events on the Australian music industry calendar, acknowledging the vast contributions and shining a light on the incredible accomplishments of women across all areas of industry from onstage to those working behind the scenes, technicians, leaders, elders, performers, song writers, producers, engineers, film-makers and photographers, music journalists, stylists, managers and more.
Since the inaugural event in 2018, there have been 936 women nominated, 136 finalists and 50 recipients recognised for their extraordinary achievements, including Tina Arena, Katie Noonan, Deborah Cheetham OAM, Kate Ceberano, Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE, Helen Reddy and Judith Durham AO, Studio Producer Anna Laverty, Photographer Wendy McDougall and Stylist Cindy Vogel.
“AWMA has become a powerful industry leader, to connect people and communities and to break down the systemic issues which have held women back for decades,” Ms Gordon said.
“Through AWMA we have effectively raised the collective voice demanding equitable access, safety and recognition for women in the Australian music industry.”
Famed Australian artistic director, musician and composer and AWMA alumni Dr Katie Noonan said that never has it been more important to support our arts and to support the sisterhood.
“I am a very proud inaugural AWMA recipient and I look forward to nominating multiple sheroes this year, in what I am sure will be another landmark event for Australian arts and an important and necessary step towards equity,” Dr Noonan said.
Nominations for 18 AWMA categories close on 26 April, with the Award Ceremony, Concert and Conference to be held in Meanjin/Brisbane on September 26 and 27.
Nominate here: https://womeninmusicawards.com.au/test-nomin/
AWMA is an initiative of the not profit Charity Cicada International Ltd and encourages nominations from non-binary, GNC and anyone who identifies as a woman.
Photo: Australian Women in Music Ebony Story, Helena Zazlan, Charlyn Cameron with singer-songwriters Dami Im and Glves. Credit: Peter Wallis
