Competitions
Art Music Fund
If you're an art music composer, the Art Music Fund could be your opportunity to have your work more widely performed.
We created the Art Music Fund, in partnership with the Australian Music Centre, and now SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, in recognition of the limited opportunities for art music composers to have new works performed.
The 2025 Art Music Fund will provide 11 grants of $7,500 to create commissioned work. These works must also have committed partners to ensure the work is presented multiple times. The plan is to create a long artistic life for the work and its composer.
Applications for the 2025 Art Music Fund open 5 December 2024 and close 14 February 2025.
Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition
Named after the legendary songwriting partnership of Harry Vanda and George Young from Australian band The Easybeats, this competition offers a substantial cash prize and career opportunities to its winner and runners-up.
The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is your opportunity to be heard, to invest in your career and to make a difference, with the $50 entry fee donated to Noro's music therapy services.
Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award
Diana Torossian was a fierce advocate for Australian music. She was a passionate supporter of local songwriters, finding and nurturing some of the country’s most prolific songwriting talent.
Diana’s untimely passing in September 2024 was a huge loss to the Australian music community. Given her dedication and passion, it is only fitting that a songwriting award has been established in Diana’s name.
The Lighthouse Award
Established in memory of Linda Gebar, The Lighthouse Award grants $5,000 to an artist manager who identifies as a woman or non-binary person and who exhibits passion, creativity and integrity. Open to applicants Australia-wide.
Linda Gebar died tragically in October 2008. She was one of the few women in music management in the 90s and worked with The Killjoys, Frente and The Blackeyed Susans. Linda was a truly passionate believer in local music and the community that surrounded it.
This memorial award exists to continue Linda’s work, supporting forward-thinking managers who are dedicated to Australian music.
2025 applications have closed. The winner will be announced 20 April 2025 at the 2025 AAM Awards.
Emily Burrows Award
Since 2001, The Emily Burrows Award has recognised a South Australian artist or band annually and helped them develop their careers with a $5,000 prize.
The award is offered in memory of Emily Burrows, a former APRA AMCOS membership representative and compliance officer, who worked tirelessly to support and encourage South Australian songwriters and composers. The Award was established following her tragic, accidental death in 2000.
Past recipients include Dead Roo, Ollie English, Donnarumma, Electric Fields, Paige Renee Court (aka Mane), Kaurna Cronin, Seabass and Molly Rocket.
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