Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) latest initiative, AWMA Youth, is a new project geared towards engaging and fostering young women in the music industry, and providing networking opportunities to inspire systemic change.
To be led by Brisbane-based music industry professional Emily Hopley, who was part of AWMAs internship programme in 2019, AWMA Youth will nurture the sharing of information and resources through discussion, networking and connections with music professionals. A specialised podcast and blog will be launched in the coming weeks.AWMA has previously featured and acknowledged an outstanding array of talented women including Amy Shark, Ngaiire, Kaylah Truth, Dizzy Doolan, Emily Wurramara, Alice Skye, Mo’Ju and Dami Im.
"The addition of a dedicated AWMA Youth programme acknowledges the unique and vast challenges faced by young women seeking a career in the music industry today," AWMA Founding Executive Director and Producer Vicki Gordon says.
"AWMA has been successful in modelling diversity and community, the fight for equal opportunity and a safe and sustainable industry.
"It is appropriate that we pay special attention to aspiring young artists and emerging music industry practitioners as critical change makers. [AWMA Youth project coordinator] Emily Hopley is someone who works every day, striving for equality in the Australian music industry."
Part of AWMA Youth will be to programme a Youth Forum as part of this year's AWMA conference with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.
"AWMA has always been about recognising the amazing work and achievements of talented female artists and industry professionals and promoting equal opportunities for women in music," Queensland's Attorney-General and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman says.
"The new youth programme will now take that work a step further, providing our talented girls and young women with a supportive platform to pursue their dreams and achieve success in the music industry in a safe environment, and for that I congratulate AWMA for introducing this fantastic new initiative."
A reminder that nominations for AWMA 2021 close 6 July. More information.
