Folk Alliance Australia

Definitions:

• This award recognizes an outstanding contribution to Folk Music in Australia by an individual, group or organisation in any folk music/cultural genre.
• The Award recognizes a significant contribution over a period of time in any aspect of  the Australian Folk Music Community/Industry including:- performing/ organising/ presenting/ collecting/ teaching/writing/ sound engineering/ live music events/ recording/ collaboration/ publishing.

Assessment

• The panel will assess the following:- Nomination material/Quality of the contribution, peer recognition, Contribution to folk music/culture preservation/development/ community involvement and overall impact of the contribution.

Nomination Fee

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

Nomination for AFMA Contribution to Folk Award

• 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 Friday 31^st July 2026 EST. Late entries will not be accepted.
• The nominated person(s) for Contribution to Folk Award 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.
• The Award for Contribution to Folk will be presented at the Folk Awards event on Wednesday 21stOctober.
• 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.
• No Finalist list will be published. The Award shall be announced with one recipient.

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31^st July 2026 EST.

Nomination For Contribution to Folk Award

Nominations closed.

Definitions:

• This Award is determined by voting. 
• Voting is open to the public.
• This award recognizes an outstanding folk performer solo/group/ensemble for their activity in the last year (1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2026).
• The winner of the previous year’s People Choice Award cannot be nominated.
• The Award recognizes the performers as “Australian Folk Music Awards – People’s Choice – Folk Performer 2026.

Nomination Fee

• A Nomination/Entry Fee of $30 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 the fee. The fee is non-refundable.

Nomination for People’s Choice Award

• All Nominations must be made via the On-Line Entry Form. 
• Nominations close on 12 Midnight Friday 31^st July 2026 EST. Late entries will not be accepted.
• The nominated artist for People’s Choice must be a resident in Australia.  Group/Acts members must comprise 50% of Australian permanent residents.
• Ten (10) Finalists will be selected to be featured. Names of Finalists will be announced on 1^stSeptember 2026 and listed for Public Voting.
• Finalists may be required to provide additional media information/images.
• 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.
• Voting
  • Each person may only vote once. Voting is tied to an individual email address and will be voted electronically via the FAA website link
• The Award will be announced at the AFMAs event in  October.

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31^st July 2026 EST. A Nomination Fee of $30 must be paid as part of the lodgement process.

Nominations closed.

Definitions:

• This Award recognizes an outstanding solo folk music performer in any folk music genre.
• The Award recognizes the solo performer’s activities, contribution and achievements undertaken in the period 1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2026
• The panel will assess the following criteria:  The artist’s contribution to the diverse Australian folk music sector in the period 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026 including at a community, local, state, national and international level
• Solo artists may have contributed to a variety of other line-ups or been supported by other musicians on their projects and performances. 
• The solo artist must be a member of Folk Alliance Australia

Nomination Fee

• A nomination/Entry Fee of $30 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 Artist of The Year – Solo

• 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 2025 – 30th JUNE 2026. 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 Friday 31^st July 2026 EST. Late entries will not be accepted.
• The nominated artist for Folk Artist of The Year – Solo must be resident in Australia.  
• 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 at the AFMA AWARDS event.
• All recordings submitted as support material 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 31^st July 2026 EST. A Nomination Fee of $30 must be paid as part of the lodgement process

Nomination For Folk Artist of The Year – Solo

Nominations closed

Definitions:

• This award recognizes an outstanding duo performing traditional or contemporary in any folk music genre.
• The Award recognizes the performer’s activities, contribution and achievements undertaken in the period 1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2026
• The panel will assess the following:-  The artist’s quality of contribution to the diverse Australian folk music in the period 1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2026 including at a community, local, state, national and international level.
• At least one of the nominating artist(s) needs to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia

Nomination Fee

• A nomination/Entry Fee of $30 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 Artist of the Year – Duo

• 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 2025 – 30th JUNE 2026. 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 Friday 31^st July 2026 EST. 
• Late entries will not be accepted.
• The nominated artist for Folk Artist of the Year – Duo must comprise 50% of Australian 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 at the AFMA AWARDS event.
• All recordings must fulfill legal requirements meaning songwriters have been properly credited and mechanical royalties have been paid
• The nominating artist must be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31^st July 2026 EST. A nomination Fee of $30 must be paid as part of the lodgement process

Nomination For Folk Artist of the Year – Duo

Nominations closed.

Definitions:

• This award recognizes an outstanding group or ensemble performing traditional or contemporary in any folk music genre.
• The Award recognizes the performer’s activities, contribution and achievements undertaken in the period 1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2026.
• The panel will assess the following: The artist’s quality of contribution to the diverse Australian folk music in the period 1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2026 including at a community, local, state, national and international level.
• At least one of the nominating members of the group needs to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia

Nomination Fee

• A nomination/Entry Fee of $30 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 Artist of the Year – Group/Ensemble

• 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 2025 – 30th JUNE 2026. 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 Friday 31^st July 2026 EST. 
• Late entries will not be accepted.
• The nominated artist for Folk Group of the Year must be 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 at the AFMA event. 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.
• The nominating artist must be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia.

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31^st July 2026 EST. A nomination Fee of $30 must be paid as part of the lodgement process

Nomination For Folk Artist of the Year – Group/Ensemble

Nominations closed.

CONDITIONS AND RULES:- 

• This Award is for a leading Young Act (solo or group) playing traditional or contemporary folk music in any diverse folk music genre. The aim of the project is to boost the profile of young performers and introduce, support and encourage them to the next level of their development.
• The Youth Artist of the Year should be ‘tour ready’ and available to play at leading folk festivals around Australia in 2027.
• The Award is to support the career development of a high quality youth performer.
• The nominating artists will need to have good quality recordings/video and press material/bio available, a website/social media and have a track record of performances at a number of recognised folk/music venues. One video must be of a live music performance. 
• Nominated Youth Acts shall be between ages of 15-25 years of age at the time of nomination. All members of a nominated group need to be between 15-25 years of age.
• The Youth Act of The Year will receive touring support from FAA as well as receiving mainstage bookings at key partner folk festivals. The Youth Artist of The Year will receive the opportunity to showcase at the Folk Alliance International annual Conference (USA/Canada). Subject to Confirmation with FAI
• Support will also be given to the ‘Runner-Up’ at a level to be determined.
• The panel will assess the following:- Track record of act, quality of support material, potential and opportunity for act to take next step in their development and capability of representing FAA as Youth Act of The Year. 
• At least one of the nominating artist(s) needs to be a member of the Folk Alliance Australia. Youth membership is free. 

Nomination Fee

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

Nomination for  AFMA Youth Artist of the Year

• All Nominations must be made via the onlineEntry 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 Friday 31^st July 2026 EST.
• Late entries will not be accepted.
• The nominated artist for Youth Artist of the Year must be 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 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  event. Name of Finalists will be announced inSeptember 2026 Finalists may be required to provide additional media information/images.

NOMINATION FORM

This Form must be submitted before midnight on Thursday 31^st July 2026 EST.

Nomination For Youth Artist of The Year

Nominations closes.