In 2011 the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) were born…
Presented by Music NT, for seven years the Indigenous Music Awards (IMAs) were hosted in Darwin and open only to Northern Territory artists.
2011 saw the introduction of a national awards system as a natural evolution of the Indigenous Music Awards.
In 2011 Music NT – with the support of the NT government – took the next step and evolved the Awards into a national event to ensure a true representation of the diversity and range of Australian Indigenous music talent.
It was launched at the Sydney Opera House on July 15, 2011, with NT Minsiter for the Arts Gerry McCarthy in attendance, and a who’s who of Australian Indigenous music stars including Mandawuy Yunupingu, Bunna Lawrie, Bart Willoughby and Dan Sultan. View the video here.
The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Indigenous Music Industry, and is a peer-nominated Award.
“Music NT is excited to begin the transition to a national Indigenous music awards,” said Mark Smith, manager of Music NT, when the NIMAs were launched in 2011.
“It’s the opportunity to make this amazing event open and accessible to Indigenous musicians from across the country and we are grateful to have the support of the NT government behind us”.
Read the round up from the 2011 NIMAs here, and view the feature in Rolling Stone.
Visit the official NIMAs website for more information. And join the NIMAs community on Facebook!
A History of the Awards… (archive)
Spellbound at the 2010 IMAs...
The rich musical landscape of the Northern Territory has hundreds of bands in remote places. The Indigenous Music Awards brought together local acts both yet to make their mark on the world, and Territorians who have achieved international acclaim, such as Gurrumul & Jessica Mauboy.
Gurrumul performs at the 2009 IMAs.
Held annually under the stars at Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre, audiences from all over Australia gathered at this beautiful event to applaud the winners, enjoy the performances and soak up the ambience of a night for music lovers of all ages and all cultures.
Jessica Mauboy performs at the 2009 IMAs.
The IMAs celebrated excellence in Indigenous Music from the Northern Territory with the event presenting to audiences some of the amazing talent that exists in the Northern Territory.
The 2010 Awards ceremony and concert were held on Saturday 28th August 2010 at the Amphitheatre, Darwin Botanic Gardens. Click here to see the 2010 winners.
Visit the NIMAs Faceook page and become part of the community!
IMA 2010 Releases Page – Archive
Music NT set up a page listing albums that were released in 2010, eligible for nomination in the 2010 Indigenous Music Awards. Check out the list HERE.
