Australian Women In Music Awards set to return in 2021
After taking a year off in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) will return to Brisbane in October.
Founding Executive Director & Producer Vicki Gordon has confirmed that AWMA will host a two-day program on October 5 and 6.
The inaugural event first took place in 2018, with the intention to highlight the achievement of women in the music industry, and establish national support for diverse female creatives and practitioners. It is a celebration of artists, performers, those working across technical, live and studio production, photography, music journalism, classical music, leadership, humanitarian work and more.
AWMA 2021 will host a number of forums, keynote addresses and local artist showcases at the Calile Hotel on October 5th, with the Awards ceremony, concert and cocktail function taking place at The Tivoli on October 6th.
In light of the recent revelations detailing accounts of bullying, sexual assault, and harassment experienced by women in the Australian and New Zealand music industry, the AWMA’s have never felt more crucial.
“AWMA has consistently been ahead of the pack, insisting that equality, equity and respect is the only way forward to create enduring change,” Vixki Gordon shared in a statement. “AWMA models diversity and community, the fight for equal opportunity and a safe and sustainable industry.
“Every new ‘disturbing’ revelation about the culture of the Australian Music Industry confirms the importance of AWMA and the work we are doing to empower, elevate, celebrate and give voice to women.”
“We need to build a culture in the music industry where inclusion and diversity is embraced and fostered – not only as the right thing to do, but because it makes the best business sense,” Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman adds.
“Because we know if we support women in business, and the more confidence women have in growing their business, the more local jobs are created. Women need to be further acknowledged for their long-standing contribution to music in Australia and I applaud the work of AWMA in addressing this.”
AWMA nominations will open in May with finalists announced in August.
Australian Women in Music Awards 2021
5-6 October, Brisbane
womeninmusicawards.com.au
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.