Music Victoria Awards to recognise deaf and disabled artists with new award category

The Music Victoria Awards will introduce a new category to represent the achievements and contributions of disabled and deaf musicians across the state.

In its first year, the “long overdue” Arts Access Victoria Amplify Award will see one eligible musician take home a $3,000 cash grant from Arts Access Victoria, as well as a rehearsal package from Richmond’s Bakehouse Studios.

Submissions for the award are open now until midnight on August 20, with all entrants being assessed by a peer panel of judges prior to the finalists being announced on September 3.

Music Victoria’s CEO, Simone Schinkel, outlined her hopes for the award to expose deaf and disabled musicians to new audiences and noted that those artists are also still eligible to apply for other Award categories.

“I simply don’t have the knowledge of who is active out there, and this is something that I am desperately wanting to change,” Schinkel said.

“I look forward to not just finding and rewarding a winner but seeing who this process uncovers and encourages.

“The Amplify Award by no way excludes deaf and disabled musicians from applying in all our other Award categories, but it does recognise the significant and very real barriers that they face in our industry.”

Arts Access Victoria CEO, Caroline Bowditch, said the organisation was “delighted” to support Music Victoria’s engagement with Victoria’s deaf and disabled musical community.

“The Amplify Award has emerged out of recent engagement between the disabled music community and Music Victoria and responds directly to an identified need,” Bowditch said.

“We are delighted to back Music Victoria’s leadership in this space, and to come on board as a financial sponsor. We can’t wait to be bowled over with submissions.”

Visit the Music Victoria website to find out more about eligibility and submit your application.