Nominations for the 2021 Australian Women In Music Awards are now open

The Australian Women in Music Awards will return again this October 5 – 6.

The awards will seek to recognise and celebrate the work performed by women and female-identifying people within Australia’s music industry, with this year’s event also introducing a number of new awards to reflect the breadth of roles occupied by women behind the scenes.

Last year’s ceremony was put on hold due to the pandemic.

In an AWMAs first this year, iconic singer Tina Arena will present the new Special Impact Award, a title named in her honour that seeks to celebrate an unsung hero of the Australian music industry and spotlight their contributions to the sector.

“I believe that by working together, alongside the leadership of AWMA, we have an  unprecedented opportunity to improve the culture of the Australian music industry for the better, and pave the way for more women to be recognised across the sector,” Arena said of the award.

There will also be two new awards for the live production sector, with organisers expanding the previous Live Production Award to include women working in both live creative production and live touring production roles, such as stage techs and road crew members.

Additionally, the AWMA board has appointed Dr. Diana Tolmie, a senior lecturer of professional practice at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University who specialises in woodwind instruments, as the chair of the 2021 AWMA Juror Council.

Tolmie said she is thrilled to be a contributor to the celebration.

“The AWMA Juror Council represents the broad reach of the music industry from every state and the strength of individuals passionately advocating for their various music professions and passions whilst contributing to the cultural change so greatly needed in the Australian music industry,” she added.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also expressed her excitement towards the prospect of the awards returning to Brisbane in 2021.

“It is wonderful to see this fantastic showcase of female talent, proudly supported by the Queensland Government, back on Australia’s events calendar. 

“With two new categories, a groundswell of emerging young talent and Queensland’s strong health  response to the pandemic, this year’s awards are set to be bigger and better than ever.” 

Check out all the categories for this year’s awards below. Online nominations for all award categories open today (May 25), and close on July 6.

1. Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to a female artist or musician who has made an  outstanding artistic contribution to the field of recording and/or live performance during her lifetime. 
2. Inaugural Tina Arena Special Impact Award – This award honours an unsung champion of the  Australian music industry. 
3. Humanitarian Award – Recognises an individual (female, male and GNC) who has made a significant  and lasting contribution to the field of music education, and/or assisting female artists working in  remote and/or regional communities. 
4. Diversity in Music Award – Recognises individual artists or female-driven musical collaborations for  their contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry. 
5. Studio Production Award – Recognises a female sound engineer or producer who has made  contributions of outstanding significance in the studio recording environment. 
6. Live Creative Production Award – Recognises a female working in a live production environment  making significant impact in her field: includes but is not limited to roles such as Live Sound, Lighting &  Visual Design, Set Design, Show Producer etc. 
7. Live Production Touring Award – Recognises a female working in a live production or touring  environment making significant impact in her field: Includes Tour/Operations/Promotions  Management, Tour Assistant, Backstage, Roadcrew, and other related support roles. 
8. 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. 
9. Songwriter Award – Recognises an outstanding female songwriter or composer.
10. Emerging Artist Award – Acknowledges an outstanding emerging female artist. 
11. Music Photographer Award – Recognises a female music photographer currently working in the  field and to acknowledge her body of work. 
12. Film-maker Award – Recognises a female music videographer, clip-maker, film-maker, or music  animator currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work. 
13. Artistic Excellence Award – Recognises exceptional creative achievement from a female  artist/musician across any genre. 
14. Excellence in Classical Music Award* – Recognises a mid-to-late career female classical music artist  who has demonstrated musical excellence throughout her career. (*Includes conductors and artists  working in the field of opera.) 
15. Music Journalist Award – Recognises a female music journalist, blogger or editor who has made a  creative contribution and courageous impact in truth telling and innovative reporting in the Australian  Music Industry. 
16. Excellence in Image Making Award – Recognises a female hair and/or makeup artist and/or stylist*  working to change the face of music visually to break down gender, race and social cultural stereo  types. (*Stylist to include those working within costume and/or wardrobe activity) 
17. Creative Leadership Award – A curatorial award recognising excellence in creative programming  from women working in broadcast media (radio, tv, online, streaming services), a music festival or live  performance/venue to champion female artists.