Aus Women In Music Awards partners with non-profit SSI for diversity project

The inaugural Australian Women In Music Awards has teamed up with Settlement Services International (SSI), the NSW not-for-profit organisation which helps out in the sectors of humanitarian settlement, housing, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services.

The AWMA’s SSI Diversity in Music Award hopes to turn the spotlight on culturally diverse female artists and music practitioners. The awards, announced yesterday, are Mission Songs Project (the initiative to revive Australian Indigenous songs from 1900 to 1999), artist and Sad Grrrls Club founder Rachel Maria Cox, and 3 Signal Creative.

SSI will also take a delegation of female artists to participate in the inaugural two-day AWMA program (October 9 – 10), which includes forums, a key note, a photographic exhibition and a film screening.

AWMA Founding Director and Sydney-based music producer Vicki Gordon said the partnership is part of a joint commitment to address the under-representation of Australian women in the arts.

“The partnership provides an opportunity for first arrivals to engage in a supportive environment set up to empower disadvantaged women through music,” Gordon said. “AWMA provides opportunities for networking with First Nations and multi-cultural artists and music practitioners by creating a direct connection to the broader music industry sector.”

Christine Anu, AWMA founder Vicki Gordon and Katie Noonan

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis added: “The Diversity in Music Award aligns with SSI’s Arts and Culture vision of advancing cultural diversity and supporting newly arrived artists to participate and contribute to Australia’s multicultural arts and culture communities.

“The collaboration between AWMA and SSI will support diverse communities in building artistic bridges and recognise the wonderful and varied talent that we have here in Australia, and that there really are great opportunities for all who want to contribute.”

The inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) will be staged in QLD at the Brisbane Powerhouse, October 9-10, 2018 2018. AWMA will present a series of free forums, a key note address by Kate Ceberano, a film screening, a photographic exhibition and unique networking opportunities.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.