Art Music Awards nominations open, celebrating Australia’s contemporary music pioneers
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29.01.2025

Art Music Awards nominations open, celebrating Australia’s contemporary music pioneers

Nat Bartsch
Words by Staff Writer

APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre have opened nominations for the 2025 Art Music Awards, celebrating excellence across Australia's contemporary, jazz, improvised, experimental, and sound art communities.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements in composition, performance, education, and presentation of art music, with 14 categories spanning works, performances, and projects from 2024.

In a significant year marking the AMC’s 50th anniversary, the awards will unite creators and collaborators from across the national art music landscape.

Key details:

  • When: August 2025 (exact date TBA)
  • Where: Sydney (venue TBA)
  • Nominations close: Wednesday 26 February, 5pm AEDT

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Award categories include Work of the Year across choral, chamber music, large ensemble, dramatic, electroacoustic/sound art, and jazz divisions. Performance categories cover both notated composition and jazz/improvised music, while Excellence Awards recognise achievements in music education, regional areas, and experimental practice.

The Luminary Awards section acknowledges long-term contributions from both individuals and organisations at state and national levels.

Previous recipients include composers Nat Bartsch, James Ledger, Liza Lim, Matthias Schack-Arnott, and organisations such as Camerata-Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Moorambilla Voices, and Omega Ensemble.

“The Art Music Awards are a brilliant celebration of new music in Australia. Having my work recognised by so many respected colleagues and friends has been a career highlight. I encourage everyone to nominate—peer support makes the world go around!” says 2024 Work of the Year: Chamber Music winner Kate Milligan.

AMC CEO Catherine Haridy emphasised the awards’ significance: “In the AMC’s 50th year, we are proud and honoured to work with APRA AMCOS to support the Art Music Awards. We are privileged to be a part of the ecosystem which supports beautiful, challenging, and progressive music from our Australian music community reflecting our stories and our unique experiences. Australian creators continue to make their indelible mark on a global scale with tenacity and verve. We encourage everyone to consider nominating an artist, a composition, a performance, or an organisation for the Art Music Awards, so we can shine a light on those who engage, inspire, and move us.”

Nominations are open to APRA AMCOS members and financial members of the Australian Music Centre, with submissions limited to one per category. Self-nominations are not permitted.

For nominations and more information, visit artmusicawards.com.au/nominate