NGAIIRE, MOJO JUJU, CHRISTINE ANU, CLAIRE EDWARDES and ALICE SKYE are among the stellar list of finalists in the 2019 Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA), to be presented at a star-studded ceremony, concert and party in Brisbane on Wednesday 9 October.
This year’s AWMAs include three new award categories for Excellence in Classical Music, Music Journalism and Image Making. Producers, Engineers, Film Makers, Photographers, Songwriters, Industry Leaders, Artist Managers and more are set to be acknowledged and celebrated in their own right at this year’s ceremony − recognition that has gone untapped for far too long in an industry built on creativity and tenacity!
“Queensland is pleased to host the AWMAs for the second consecutive year, profiling our state’s commitment to gender equality and providing opportunities for women,” said The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade.
“The AWMAs are a fantastic addition to Queensland’s vibrant arts scene. They are another great opportunity to showcase the tremendous creativity and depth of talent of our many female artists and I hope it’s a springboard to further and well-deserved success,” said The Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.
“As well as the opportunity to celebrate tremendous talent, AWMA provides a platform for artists and music practitioners including those in regional and remote areas, to come together, to learn and empower one another. We received almost double the nominations this year, from every state and across all areas of diversity, reflecting the urgent need for change in the Australian music industry,” said AWMA Founding Director and Executive Producer, Vicki Gordon.
Fifteen AWMAs will be up for grabs following the public nomination process and judging by a prestigious group of industry professionals and practitioners. A special award will once again be presented to this year’s inductee for the AWMA Honour Roll 2019.
The AWMA Ceremony, Concert and Party will include a dazzling mix of music genres and some of Australia’s biggest music names and most inspiring artists, with performances featuring RENÉE GEYER, KATIE NOONAN, CLARE BOWDITCH, MELINDA SCHNEIDER, NGAIIRE, KAYLAH TRUTH, CHERYL BARKER, TAMARA-ANNA CISLOWSKA and more.
In addition to the awards night, the AWMAs will host a two-day program at the Brisbane Powerhouse on 8 & 9 October that includes a series of thought-provoking forums and panel discussions (Visibility in Hip Hop: Women On The Front Line, The Art of Rebellion: The Intersection of Music & Politics, Image Making: The Changing Face of Music), and a keynote address by noted broadcaster, musician, writer, teacher and philanthropist EDDIE AYRES.
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARD FINALISTS
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
Christine Anu
Nai Palm
NGAIIRE
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Claire Edwardes
Elaine Chia
Katie Noonan
DIVERSITY IN MUSIC AWARD
Christine Anu
Lisa Cheney & Peggy Polias (Making Waves)
NGAIIRE
EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
Alice Skye
Ella Fence
Lisa Caruso
EXCELLENCE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARD
Caroline Almonte
Claire Edwardes
Sarah-Grace Williams
EXCELLENCE IN IMAGE MAKING AWARD
Chloe Jean
Melaine Knight
Ntombi Moyo
FILMMAKER AWARD
Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien Curran
Tashi Hall
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Alison Hams
Dami Im
Lindy Morrison, OAM
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Joy McKean, OAM
Marcia Hines, AM
Vika and Linda Bull
LIVE PRODUCTION AWARD
Jenny Moon
Kait Hall
Laurie May
MUSIC JOURNALIST AWARD
Ange McCormack
Jane Gazzo
Jules LeFevre
Elise Reitze-Swensen
Lynette Irwin
Sue Telfer
MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD
Jessica Vaini
Kerrie Geier
Tashi Hall
SONGWRITER AWARD
Mojo Juju
NGAIIRE
Thelma Plum
STUDIO PRODUCTION AWARD
Elise Reitze-Swensen (Feels)
Kathy Naunton
Virginia Read
