Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs)
The AFMAs are a project of Folk Alliance Australia www.folkalliance.org.au established to recognize and celebrate the musical and cultural talent, vibrancy, diversity and community nature of the Australian Folk Music sector. Folk Alliance Australia (FAA) is a not-for-profit incorporated organization.
AFMAs AWARD PRESENTATION EVENT
The AFMA’s will be presented on WEDNESDAY 26th OCTOBER 2022 7.30pm EST at the Brunswick Ballroom Melbourne as a Live Concert & Awards Night and also as a Livestreamed event.
The Awards Event will feature, Indigenous Welcome, Live Music performances, Awards Finalists and Winners Presentations, guest interstate artists and will be hosted by leading Folk-Roots artists. The AFMA’s will be a lead-in event to the Maldon Folk Festival (Vic)
Nine AFMA Awards will be presented in 2022
Artist Awards
- Folk Album of the Year – Traditional
- Folk Album of the Year – Contemporary
- Folk Artist of the Year – Solo
- Folk Act of the Year – Duo/Group/Ensemble
- Instrumentalist of the Year
- People’s Choice
- Youth Artist of the Year
Industry/Community Awards
- Folk Community/Cultural Project of The Year
- Contribution to Folk
AIMS OF AFMAs
The aims of the Australian Folk Music Awards are to:-
• Create a National Folk Awards Scheme for the Australian Folk Music sector.
• Raise the profile of Australian folk music in the public arena and music and arts industry.
• Acknowledge and recognise national achievements of the folk music sector.
• Establish Awards that benefit Australian folk artists to gain recognition and build their profile and careers.
• Involve and engage the wide diversity of Australian folk genres.
• Raise the profile of Folk Alliance Australia as a national organisation for folk music.
DEFINITION OF ‘FOLK’ MUSIC
Folk Music is music or music/cultural practice that is linked to a historical tradition, heritage and/or community. It is recognized as coming from diverse cultural communities. Folk music can be traditional (handed down through the oral and folk traditions) or contemporary (with interpretations or creativity based on such traditions)
AFMAs – JUDGING & ASSESSMENT
- Panel Judges – Judges are selected by FAA from members, networks, nominations or recommendations and are drawn from people with a direct involvement in the diverse folk music sector including artists, practitioners, festival organisers, venue, organizations, media and activists.
- Judges do not need to be members of FAA.
- Each AFMA award will have five panelists and will be Convened by an FAA Board member. A panelist may adjudicate in more than one category.
- (Artist Awards) Panel Judges will select the five AFMA Finalists in each Award category as well as vote for the overall Award Winner.
- The identity of AFMA Panel Judges will not be disclosed in order to minimize lobbying or communication. Judges are required to disclose any Conflict of Interest and may not be part of any panel in which they have a conflict of interest.
- The results from the Judging Panels are final and no correspondence will be entered into. We welcome expressions of interest from any credentialled persons wishing to be included in future judging panels of the AFMAs.
NOMINATING FOR AN AFMA
- Each AFMA Award has its own Conditions and processes for Nomination. Please read the information for each Award.
- You may nominate in more than one category.
- A separate fee will apply for EACH nomination where fees are applicable.
- The AFMA Online Nomination Form must be used for each submission. All questions must be completed with strict word limits where requested. No hard copy nominations will be accepted.
- Applications will be required to submit short Biographies, Links to support material such as music/video and a photograph as well as reason for nomination is required.
- Nominations open in June 2022. The deadline for Nominations is Sunday 31st July 2022 EST.
- Incomplete nominations will not be accepted. Late entries will not be accepted.
- You do not need to be a member of FAA to be nominated or to be a nominee. Details of the nominating person must be supplied on the entry form. You can self nominate.
- Nominated artists/persons who are under the age of 18 years will require signed parental or guardian consent.
- Nominated artists/persons need to be an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen. (In case of collaborations 50% of recording or project must be by Australian resident/citizen)
NOMINATION FEES
Six of the Artist Awards will incur a $25 nomination fee (which contributes to AFMA administration and AFMA Award Event costs) Fees are non-refundable.
Nomination Fees will apply for the following Artist Awards :-
- Folk Album of the Year – Traditional
- Folk Album of the Year – Contemporary
- Folk Artist of the year – Solo
- Folk Act of the year – Duo/Group/Ensemble
- Instrumentalist of the Year
- People’s Choice Award
A separate nomination fee will apply for each nomination where fees are applicable
There is no cost to nominate for the two Industry Awards or for the Youth Act of The Year Award.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF AFMA AWARD FINALISTS & WINNERS
- Finalists will be announced on Monday 1st September (Nominees will be advised at this time)
- All Award Winners/Recipients will be announced at the AFMA Awards Event on Wednesday 26th October 2022, 7.30pm EST at the AFMA Awards Night from the Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne. The Awards Event will also be livestreamed
- The AFMAs will be open to the public to attend (subject to ticket availability).
- A special AFMA Award Plaque with the name of the winner will be mailed to or presented to each AFMA award winner.
KEY DATES 2022
- Entries Open: Wednesday 6th June 2022
- Entries Close: Sunday 31st July 2022
- Finalists announced: Thursday 1st September 2022
- People Choice Voting: September 2022
- Awards Event: Wednesday 26th October @ 7.30pm EST at Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne (details of concert artists and schedule tba)
AFMA ENQUIRIES & INFORMATION:
AFMA questions please email:
afmas@folkalliance.org.au
Stay in touch and engage with AFMA’s
www.folkalliance.org.au/afmas
https://www.facebook.com/folkallianceaustralia
Join FAA as a member
https://www.folkalliance.org.au/membership-signup/
START NOMINATION
Select the category below to start your Nomination.
Instrumentalist of the Year
This Award recognizes an outstanding contribution by a traditional or contemporary instrumentalist folk musician or group of musicians played in any folk music genre.
Folk Community/Cultural Project of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding folk music community/cultural project undertaken or completed between July 2021 and June 2022.
Youth Artist of the Year
Recognises an outstanding Album of traditional music played in any folk music genre.
Contribution to Folk Award
This award recognises an outstanding contribution to Folk Music in Australia by an individual, group or organisation in any folk music genre.
People’s Choice Award
This award recognises an outstanding folk performer solo/group/ensemble for their activity in the last year (January 2021 – June 2022)
Folk Album of the Year – Traditional
Recognises an outstanding Album of traditional music played in any folk music genre.
Folk Album of the Year – Contemporary
Recognises an outstanding Album of contemporary music played in any folk music genre.
Folk Artist of the Year – Solo
This Award recognises an outstanding solo folk music performer in any folk music genre.
Folk Artist of the Year – Duo/Group/Ensemble
This award recognises an outstanding duo, group or ensemble performing traditional or contemporary in any folk music genre.
