The annual National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) 2020 announced that it will continue on a virtual platform amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, reacting to a climate where celebrating First Nations artists is even more important than ever.
Calling for nominations, the NIMAs will work with media partners to create a program of live music across multiple screens for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Given the digital nature of the awards, NIMAs have said they hope to create an experience which will celebrate not only music, but also the way technology has transformed Indigenous life. These plans were announced by the new NIMAs Creative Director Iwaidja, Malak Malak and Badu Island man Ben Graetz.
“We will create an event where we can celebrate and honour our extraordinary musical community while of course listening to health advice and bringing our community together, this year virtually, to offer positivity and hope in these challenging times.” Graetz went on to say he was excited by the challenge of helming the awards, which usually attracts more than 4000 each year in Darwin, even with the additional complexities that COVID-19 has presented.
Nominations for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards are now open on their website. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music released between July last year and June this year are eligible for nominating. For the first time, all artists who have appeared in the weekly National Indigenous Chart will be automatically considered for the awards.
“We are working closely with Ben to restructure the NIMAs advisory committee and are welcoming new members in 2020 to ensure we have Indigenous voices from across the country advising and leading the future strategy of the event,” said MusicNT’s Mark Smith. “We are proud to welcome Ben as our first Creative Director as we continue our path towards a NIMAs that is Indigenous-led: an event that not just amplifies Indigenous voices, but one that is determined and controlled by them.”
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