News June 3, 2021

Youth Program announced for Aus Women in Music Awards

The Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) are making clear their support of up-and-coming young women at the 2021 Awards and conference.

Announced this week, the 2021 AWMAs will include the new AWMA Youth project, providing a vehicle to create new pathways by sharing information and resources through discussion, networking and connections.

Led by young Brisbane-based music industry professional Emily Hopley, the AWMA Youth Project will provide educational resources, collaborate with celebrated music professionals, and highlight opportunities in the music sector.

The AWMA Youth project will also see the launch of the AWMA Youth podcast and blog in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, at the conference, a Youth Forum will focus on mental health and wellbeing impacts for young women in the music industry.

Emily was part of an internship program with AWMA in 2019 and is a graduate of Griffith University’s Bachelor of Popular Music. As well as co-ordinating the AWMA Youth project, Emily takes up a new role with Brisbane-based music studio later this month.

Emily Hopley

AWMA Founding Executive Director and Producer Vicki Gordon said: “The addition of a dedicated AWMA Youth program acknowledges the unique and vast challenges faced by young women seeking a career in the music industry today.”

“AWMA has been successful in modelling diversity and community, the fight for equal opportunity and a safe and sustainable industry. It is appropriate that we pay special attention to aspiring young artists and emerging music industry practitioners as critical change makers.

“[AWMA Youth project coordinator] Emily Hopley is someone who works every day, striving for equality in the Australian Music Industry.”

Queensland’s Attorney-General and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said: “AWMA has always been about recognising the amazing work and achievements of talented female artists and industry professionals and promoting equal opportunities for women in music.

“The new youth program will now take that work a step further, providing our talented girls and young women with a supportive platform to pursue their dreams and achieve success in the music industry in a safe environment, and for that I congratulate AWMA for introducing this fantastic new initiative.”

Australian Women in Music Awards nominations are now open, with finalists being announced in August.