Returning in 2026, the Art Music Awards provide a platform to unite and celebrate the national art music community, inclusive of creators and collaborators in contemporary music, jazz, improvised music, experimental music and sound art.
The awards honour excellence and impactful achievements in the composition, performance, education and presentation of art music, as well as the passionate individuals and organisations behind it all.
Finalists and winners are selected from nominations submitted by industry peers and audience members alike. APRA AMCOS and AMC invite their members to put forward online nominations in support of individuals and organisations who have made waves through performance, a new work (including digital performance, broadcast , or commercial release) and other musical ventures.
This year, after a comprehensive review by a panel of experts, APRA AMCOS and AMC have announced several key changes aimed at improving clarity, accessibility and representation. This includes two major category expansions – Work of the Year: Chamber Music & Large Ensemble has now been split into Solo & Small Ensemble, Medium Ensemble, and Large Ensemble categories, whilst Performance of the Year categories have been renamed to include Performance of the Year: Soloist, Classical & Experimental, and Jazz & Improvised categories.
Additional changes include the expansion of the Luminary Awards with finalists announced in both National Individual and National Organisation categories. Work of the Year: Jazz becomes Work of the Year: Jazz & Improvised Music, aligning with performance categories, whilst Work of the Year: Choral now includes all vocal ensemble works, from chamber voice to massed singers. To better support regional artists this year, self-nominations will also be trialed for the Excellent in a Regional Area category. For a full list of the changes introduced as part of the 2026 Art Music Awards, click here.
Previous winners include Anne Cawrse, Jack Symonds, James Ledger, Koi Kingdom, Matthias Schack-Arnott, and organisations such as Adelaide Chamber Singers and Music Viva Australia.
The 2026 Art Music Awards will be held in Melbourne in August. Event details to come.
Nominations close Wednesday 25 February at 5pm AEDT.
Image credits: Photos by Jess Gleeson
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