Folk Alliance Australia

Connecting the folk community, industry & culture

AusArt Day – support the arts October 23rd

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This new initiative from Creative Australia is designed to support artists and arts organisations to fundraise on one national day, and to increase the donor pool in support of Australian creativity whilst elevating the public value of the arts in the consciousness of everyday Australians. 

Folk Alliance is raising funds for its own Small Project Grant offerings for 2026.

We are raising funds to support small folk projects around the country, encouraging creativity, community building, new music, young artists, cultural diversity and telling real Australian stories while supporting traditional music and culture. We have previously offered this program of small grants which give 10 grants of $2500 to a range of folk music projects such as touring, recording, collecting, historical research, performances and community events.

Donate today and support our Folk Community

October 22nd: Australian Folk Music Awards Night

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Attend the Awards!

Come in person, or online

6:30pm, Wed 22 October, 2025

Australian Folk Music Awards 2025

BRUNSWICK BALLROOM // DOORS 6:30PM // WED 22 OCTOBER 2025

Join us for the Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs) 2025, a night celebrating the very best in Australian folk music. The AFMAs bring together musicians, industry and audiences for a unique evening of live performance, recognition, and community.

Expect a vibrant showcase of live performances from nominated artists, captivating personal stories, and the presentation of national awards that highlight the richness and diversity of Australia’s folk scene.

Attend in Person – Buy Tickets

Held at the beautiful Brunswick Ballroom in Melbourne – Naarm.

Buy Tickets

Watch Online

The event will be live-streamed!

Live-Stream awards on Youtube
Live-Stream awards on Facebook

Folk Album of the Year – Contemporary

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CONDITIONS AND RULES:

Definitions:

  • This award recognizes an outstanding album of contemporary folk music played in any folk music genre. (If your album draws from a specific folk tradition you should consider entering the ‘Traditional Album’ category)
  • The Award recognizes the recording artist(s) and others that have contributed to it’s recording
  • At least one of the nominating artist(s) needs to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia
  • An album is considered to be a body of at least six (6) tracks or 30 minutes of music 
  • The album needs to have been released for public purchase or access in the time period of 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025.
  • The panel will assess the following:- musical proficiency, creativity of arrangement, concept of the album and recording quality, potential interest & impact of the album.

Nomination Fee

  • A nomination/Entry Fee of $25 is required to be paid at the time of the entry. This fee covers costs of coordination/ processing of entries. The fee is to be paid by credit card (Debit card not accepted) Entries will not be accepted without payment of fee. The fee is Non-refundable.

Nomination for Folk Album of The Year – Contemporary

  • IMPORTANT – YOUR NOMINATION IS ASSESSED ONLY ON THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE IN THIS NOMINATION FORM. WE ARE ASSESSING YOUR ACTIVITY/PROJECTS FOR THE PERIOD 1st JULY 2024 – 30th JUNE 2025. PLEASE ENSURE YOU PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS BASIS.
  • All Nominations must be made via the online Entry Form
  • All questions must be completed and information requested is to be supplied as links or attachments only as requested. Your Application may be invalid if all information is not submitted.
  • You may nominate for more than one AFMA Award (if applicable a separate fee must be paid)
  • Nominations open in June and close on 12 Midnight Thursday 31st July 2025 EST. 
  • Late entries will not be accepted.
  • The nominated artist for Album of the Year – Contemporary must be a resident in Australia. Group/Acts members must comprise 50% of Australian Permanent Residents.
  • Parental Permission must be submitted for nominations of persons under the age of 18 years.
  • Once you have submitted your nomination entry and paid the entry fee you will receive a confirmation email.
  • Awards are decided by a panel of selected judges with expertise in folk music and the folk music sector. Their decisions are deemed final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  • Five (5) Finalists will be selected to be featured as finalists at the AFMA AWARDS event (Wednesday 22nd October) Names of Finalists will be announced on 1st September 2025. Finalists may be required to provide additional media information/images.

All recordings must fulfill legal requirements meaning songwriters have been properly credited and mechanical royalties have been paid.

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31st July 2025  EST. A nomination Fee of $25 must be paid as part of the lodgement process.

Nomination For Album of the Year – Contemporary

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

Zulya Kamalova Award

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Best song in languages other than English

Definitions:

  • This Award recognises an outstanding song in languages other than English played in any folk music genre.
  • The nominating artist(s) does not need to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia. 

Award Eligibility Criteria 

  1. Language Requirement – The song must be at least 50% in a language other than English. Bilingual songs will be eligible if they meet this threshold. 

2. Lyrics Required – The song must have lyrical content; instrumental pieces are not eligible. 

3. An original lyrical composition in a non-English language(s), 

4. Consideration of Authenticity – Judges may take into account the artist’s connection to the language and culture represented in the song. 

5. Appropriation Safeguards – Songs should be performed with cultural integrity. While anyone can sing in another language, the criteria should ensure respectful engagement rather than appropriation. 

Judging Criteria (4-6 Key Areas) 

Judges will score songs based on the following weighted criteria: 

1. Musicality & Performance – How well the song is composed, arranged, and performed 

2. Lyrical Strength – The quality of storytelling, poetry, or meaning in the lyrics (with translations provided for reference). 

3. Cultural & Linguistic Integrity – How well the song reflects the linguistic and cultural tradition it represents. 

4. Innovation & Creativity – How the song contributes something unique to Australian folk music while staying true to its roots. 

5. Emotional & Narrative Impact – How effectively the song engages and resonates with listeners.

  • The song needs to have been recorded or composed in the time period of 1st July 2024 to 31st July 2025

Nomination/Entry Fee

  • No Nomination is required to be paid at the time of the entry. 

Nomination for Zulya Kamalova Award – Best song in Languages other than English

  • All Nominations must be made via the online Entry Form
  • All questions must be completed and information supplied in the format designated. Your application may be invalid if all information is not submitted in the correct format.
  • You may nominate for more than one AFMA Award (if applicable a separate fee must be paid)
  • Nominations open in June and close on 12 Midnight Thursday 31st July 2025 EST. 
  • Late entries will not be accepted.
  • The nominated artist/songwriter for Zulya Kamalova Award must currently reside in Australia.
  • Parental Permission must be submitted for nominations of persons under the age of 18 years.
  • Once you have submitted your nomination entry you will receive a confirmation email.
  • Awards are decided by a panel of selected judges with expertise in folk music and the folk music sector. Their decisions are deemed final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  • Five (5) Finalists will be selected to be featured at the AFMA AWARDS event (Wed 22nd October) at The Brunswick Ballroom in Melbourne)
  • Names of Finalists will be announced on 1st September 2025. Finalists may be required to provide additional media information/images.
  • All recordings must fulfill legal requirements meaning songwriters have been properly credited and appropriate royalties have been paid
  • AWARD
    • The Zulya Kamalova Award winner will receive support from FAA and partner organisations and folk festivals.  (which may include any or all of the following:- recording / festival appearances / travel support)

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31st July 2025 EST.

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

FOLK ALLIANCE AUSTRALIA RECEIVES MUSIC AUSTRALIA FUNDING 2025/26

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FAA President Keith Preston stated that “we are delighted to announce that Folk Alliance Australia has been successful in its application for funding through the new ‘Core Contribution Fund’ offered by Music Australia” .

This funding program will run from April 2025 to April 2027.

FAA will utilise the funding to:-

·         Build FAA organisational capacity and sustainability

·         Support diversity and equity in the folk music sector

·         Further develop the annual AFMAs (Australian Folk Music Awards)

·         Support & develop the new Australian Folk Festivals Network and hold a second Folk Festivals Conference in 2026

·         Further our relationship with Folk Alliance International

·         Build FAA membership and marketing of FAA and the overall Folk music sector

·         Upgrade the FAA Website and on-line member services

·         Further develop our youth program and artist forums

·         Develop and complete our Folk Performers Touring Directory

“Funding will allow the creation of some (new) project coordination and/or part-time paid positions/roles within FAA and will build our impact, capacity and professionalism within the Australian music industry.

The Committee of Folk Alliance Australia thanks Music Australia and the Australian Government for this important funding that recognises the importance of Folk music & arts in Australia.”

2023 Australian Folk Music Awards – Winners Announced

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Folk Alliance Australia proudly announces the winners of the 2023 Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs), presented at a packed Brunswick Ballroom in Melbourne and livestreamed to audiences across Australia and internationally.

2023 AFMA Award Winners

Traditional Folk Album of the Year
Barry Skipsey – The Wrong Tram

Contemporary Folk Album of the Year
Monique Clare – Sight

Solo Artist of the Year
Pauline Maudy

Duo/Group/Ensemble of the Year
The Weeping Willows

Instrumentalist of the Year
Gleny Rae

Youth Artist of the Year
Felicity Dowd

Community/Cultural Project of the Year
CresFest 2023

Contribution to Folk Award
Andrew Pattison – Troubadour Music

People’s Choice Award
The Spooky Men’s Chorale

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Bill Hauritz
Kavisha Mazzella

Congratulations to the winners and finalists.

Folk Community/Cultural Project of the Year

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Definitions:

  • This award recognizes an outstanding folk music community/cultural project undertaken or completed between the period 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. 
  • The project need not be just music performance but can be non-musical performance, publishing, collection, media, recording or folklore. 
  • The panel will assess the following:-  The quality and contribution of the project to the diverse Australian folk music/culture in the period 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025 including at a  community, local, state, national and international level.
  • The project need not be completed and may be an ongoing project or presented in stages.
  • At least one of the members of the nominating group needs to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia

Nomination Fee

  • There is NO Fee required to be paid to Nominate or enter this Award. Nomination is FREE.

Nomination for Folk Community/Cultural Project of the Year

  • IMPORTANT – YOUR NOMINATION IS ASSESSED ONLY ON THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE IN THIS NOMINATION FORM. WE ARE ASSESSING YOUR ACTIVITY/PROJECTS FOR THE PERIOD 1st JULY 2024 – 30th JUNE 2025. PLEASE ENSURE YOU PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS BASIS.
  • All Nominations must be made via the online Entry Form
  • All questions must be completed and information requested is to be supplied as links or attachments only as requested. Your Application may be invalid if all information is not submitted.
  • You may nominate for more than one AFMA Award (if applicable a separate fee must be paid)
  • Nominations close on 12 Midnight Thursday 31st July 2025 EST. 
  • Late entries will not be accepted.
  • The nominated artist(s) for Folk Community/Cultural Project of the Year must be a resident in Australian. Group/Acts members must comprise 50% of Australia residents.
  • Parental Permission must be submitted for nominations of persons under the age of 18 years.
  • Once you have submitted your nomination entry you will receive a confirmation email.
  • Awards are decided by a panel of selected judges with expertise in folk music and the folk music sector. Their decisions are deemed final. No correspondence will be entered into.

Five (5) Finalists will be selected to be featured at the AFMA AWARDS event (Wednesday 22nd  October) Names of Finalists will be announced on 1st September 2025. Finalists may be required to provide additional media information/images.

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31st July 2025 EST.

Nomination For Folk Community/Cultural Project of the Year

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

Folk Album of the Year – Traditional

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Definitions:

  • This Award recognises an outstanding album of traditional music played in any folk music genre.
  • The Award recognises the recording artist(s) and others that have contributed to its recording
  • At least one of the nominating artist(s) needs to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia
  • An album is considered to be a body of at least six (6) tracks or 30 minutes of music 
  • 75% of the music needs to be in a ‘traditional style’. 
  • For the purposes of this award, Traditional Style is defined as:
    • Music performed and presented in a traditional style of the culture represented; 
    • Songs that are played commonly within a tradition; 
    • Original songs that use the conventions of traditional songs, either in subject (eg. songs that tell stories about people, places or times or engage with the heritage of political protest song) or style (eg. contemporary songs performed in a traditional style such as Skiffle, Cajun, or Bluegrass); and
    • Contemporarily written instrumental music that has a relationship to a folk culture or tradition.
  • The album needs to have been released for public purchase or access in the time period of 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025.
  • The panel will assess the following criteria: musical proficiency, creativity of arrangement, concept of the album, recording quality, potential interest and impact of the album.

Nomination/Entry Fee

  • A nomination/entry fee of $25 is required to be paid at the time of the entry. This fee covers costs of coordination and processing of the entries. 
  • The fee is to be paid by credit card (Debit card not accepted) 
  • Entries will not be accepted without payment of the fee. The fee is non-refundable.

Nomination for Folk Album of The Year – Traditional

  • IMPORTANT – YOUR NOMINATION IS ASSESSED ONLY ON THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE IN THIS NOMINATION FORM. WE ARE ASSESSING YOUR ACTIVITY/PROJECTS FOR THE PERIOD 1st JULY 2024 – 30th JUNE 2025. PLEASE ENSURE YOU PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS BASIS.
  • All Nominations must be made via the online Entry Form
  • All questions must be completed and information supplied in the format designated. Your application may be invalid if all information is not submitted in the correct format.
  • You may nominate for more than one AFMA Award (if applicable a separate fee must be paid)
  • These tracks can be original music or arrangements of traditional songs and tunes but must show a clear link to the tradition they draw from. 
  • Nominations open in June and close on 12 Midnight Thursday 31st July 2025 EST. 
  • Late entries will not be accepted.
  • The nominated artist for Album of the Year – Traditional must be an Australian Permanent Resident.resident in Australia.  Group/Acts members must comprise 50% of Australian Permanent Residents.
  • Parental Permission must be submitted for nominations of persons under the age of 18 years.
  • Once you have submitted your nomination entry and paid the entry fee you will receive a confirmation email.
  • Awards are decided by a panel of selected judges with expertise in folk music and the folk music sector. Their decisions are deemed final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  • Five (5) Finalists from across the all the award categories will be selected to be featured as finalists at the AFMA Awards event (Wednesday 22nd October 2025)
  • Names of Finalists will be announced on 1st September 2025. Finalists may be required to provide additional media information/images.
  • All recordings must fulfill legal requirements meaning songwriters have been properly credited and appropriate royalties have been paid

Nominate Now

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31st July 20254 EST. A Nomination Fee of $25 must be paid as part of the lodgement process

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

Folk Alliance Australia (FAA)

is the peak national body representing folk cultural activity and the folk industry of Australia. We are a membership organisation that provides an information resource and networking, showcase and professional development opportunities for the Australian folk community.

 

 

FAA Membership

Provides discounts for industry insurance and website building.  Members can also actively participate in the Australian Folk Music Awards

FAA-Logo

FAA Partner

FAA Partner

Insurance Discount

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Website Discount

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