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Nominations now open for 2013 National Indigenous Music Awards
Mandawuy Yunupingu (centre back row) with East Journey. Image: Glenn Campbell
by chryss carr
T
he National Indigenous Music Awards [NIMA] are a celebration of Indigenous music that honours contemporary and traditional artists. Since going national in 2011, NIMA has firmly placed itself at the forefront of recognising excellence in Indigenous music from across the country and has been embraced by both the national industry and the wider Indigenous community. NIMA is seen as a key platform for the celebration of talent from our leading Indigenous musicians and songwriters. NIMA 2013 promises to build upon this vision and present a special concept show, celebrating what has been and what is to come.
So while we hang in for that news it is time to announce that nominations are now open in the national categories of Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, New Talent of the Year, Cover Art of the Year and Film Clip of the Year. Again this year, NIMA will partner with triplej ‘unearthed’ to undertake the only national Indigenous unearthed competition. This competition unearthed the amazing Thelma Plum in 2012 and we look forward to the 2013 discovery. “NIMA has come a long way in a short time and is exceptional fertile ground for finding and breaking new Indigenous artists,” says Michael Chugg, Chugg Entertainment, “NIMA is gathering
much respect both nationally and overseas for the professionalism it is bringing to the Indigenous music scene.” NT Artists will continue to be awarded and nominations are now open for School Band, Traditional Music and the G.R. Burarrawanga Memorial Award. A new category introduced this year is the NT Community Music Project Award. This is a special category to acknowledge the role that music plays in Indigenous communities. This year the genre is ‘community music clip’ where innovation and merit in the musical performance of the video is the major criteria for the award. The Director/Producer does not have to be resident of the Northern Territory. Page 1
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For more information on general eligibility criteria go to nima. musicnt.com.au “These awards are becoming more significant every year, it’s a great time for Indigenous talent to gain recognition for their efforts. “Artists and their management should use this as an opportunity that is knocking on their door right now”, Shellie Morris – singer/ songwriter (Best Female Musician 2004 & 2005 NT Music Awards). Culminating in a spectacular awards ceremony in Darwin on Saturday August 10, 2013 this year’s line up will represent the past, the present and the future; all with a common thread that promises an emotional musical experience that should not be missed. The NIMAs recognise
Above: The Medics Album of the Year 2012 with Bunna Lawrie. Top right: Thelma Plum Right: Rrawun Maymuru from East Journey All images: Glenn Campbell
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excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Indigenous Music Industry. Nominations are now open for the music industry and the general public via nima.musicnt.com.au. Nominations close COB Friday 15 June 2013. Please note: nominations are not required in all categories. The National Indigenous Music Awards are presented by MusicNT in partnership with the NT Government. National Award Categories • New Talent of the Year • Song of the Year • Album of the Year • Artist of the Year • Cover Art • Film Clip • NT Award Categories • School Band
• Traditional Music • G.R. Burarrawanga Memorial Award and the newly introduced; • NT Community Music Project Award– Community Music Clip of the Year 2013 [released July 2012 – June 2013]
KEY DATES Nominations Open: Monday 15 April 2013 Nominations Close: COB Friday 15 June 2013 NIMA Finalists announced 17 July Awards Ceremony: Saturday 10th August, Darwin Amphitheatre For more information visit: nima. musicnt.com.au