The Melbourne Prize for Music 2025 & Award offers Victorian musicians one of Australia's most prestigious arts prizes, and it's entries are closing on Monday.
The Melbourne Prize Trust entries are closing on Monday for the 2025 competition, which features four distinct categories catering to performers and composers across all music genres. Now in its 21st year, the annual Melbourne Prize continues to recognise and reward artistic talent while fostering creative development for Victorian musicians.
The prize program demonstrates the power of collective community investment in supporting the arts through substantial career development opportunities.
Melbourne Prize for Music 2025
- Monday 12 May 2025 (entries open) to Monday 7 July 2025, 5pm (entries close)
- Exhibition: Thursday 30 October to Thursday 13 November 2025, Fed Square, Melbourne
- Winners announced: Thursday 13 November 2025, 7pm
Victorian residents can apply directly or be nominated for the following awards:
- Melbourne Prize for Music 2025 – $60,000
- The Beleura John Tallis Award for Emerging Composers 2025 – $20,000
- Professional Development Award 2025 – $10,000
- Falls Creek Musicians Residencies 2025 – two 14-day residencies plus $1,000 to each recipient
- Civic Choice Award 2025 – $2,000 (awarded to a finalist with the most public votes)
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The Melbourne Prize operates on a three-year cycle, alternating between Urban Sculpture, Literature and Music. Previous winners of the Melbourne Prize for Music include Missy Higgins (2022), Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO (2019), Kutcha Edwards (2016), Brett Dean (2013), David Jones (2010) and Paul Grabowsky (2007).
Simon Warrender OAM, Executive Director and Founder of the Melbourne Prize Trust, expressed gratitude to all partners whose generous contributions have made this year’s program possible.
Runner-up finalists in the main Melbourne Prize for Music category will receive $1,000, supported by Fed Square. Finalists will be announced on 4 September 2025, with a digital public exhibition available at Fed Square during the final two weeks leading up to the awards ceremony.
For more information, head here.
