The $20,000 prize acknowledges and rewards artists who inspire action for climate and conservation.
Applications are now open for the global first Environmental Music Prize, a prize which aims to catalyse a cultural response to the climate emergency by amplifying artists who are both releasing meaningful music and activating fans.
Talented Australian musicians across all genres are invited to submit music video releases that celebrate nature or touch on themes of climate or conservation.
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Applicants songs needs to have been released between 2020-2023 and the artist needs to express a desire to use their art and voice to raise awareness.
Last year, the prize saw an incredible outpouring of support from artists, media, environmental groups, music industry and audiences, resulting in over 50,000 views and 7,500 votes from 58 countries.
The inaugural winning song – ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – is a powerful rhetorical statement that questions our inaction at this crucial time. King Gizzard amplified their impact further by generously donating their $20,000 prize to The Wilderness Society to further conservation and support environmental education for artists.
This year’s finalist music videos will be selected by a committee of influential environmental and music leaders. They will shortlist diverse works that connect us to nature and reflect the hopes, fears and ambitions of the environmental movement.
Finalists will be announced around Earth Day and the public will be invited to watch, vote and share – creating emotional connection and driving engagement around protecting our planet. The work that has resonated most with audiences wins the publicly-voted prize.
“Artists are powerful communicators, idolised and trusted by their fans. And music has the power to capture our imagination, touch us deeply, and enable us to dream big,” says Environmental Music Prize Founder Edwina Floch.
The ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE seeks to empower artists with training and amplify their music through media and event opportunities that allow them to use their voice authentically and strategically. Seeing new environmental anthems emerge signals a strong cultural response to these pressing issues, and the collective desire to act.”
Apply for the 2023 ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE here.
