The 2020 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, funded by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and presented by QMusic opens for entries today. The Award provides $10,000 for an emerging artist to record with an established producer and receive career-planning advice from Chugg Entertainment.
The winner of the Billy Thorpe Scholarship will be announced at the 2020 QMAs ceremony. Presented by QMusic, the 2020 QMAs will be held on Tuesday 3 March at its recently revealed new home, The Fortitude Music Hall.
“The Billy Thorpe Scholarship is celebrating its 12th year at next year’s QMAs, and we thank the Queensland Government for their continued support of this initiative which has supported emerging musicians including Jaimee Fryer, Sam Hales (The Jungle Giants) and Jeremy Neale,” said QMusic CEO Angela Samut.
Emerging musicians and duos can check eligibility guidelines and apply for the 2020 Billy Thorpe Scholarship via the QMusic website. Applications close midnight Thursday 24 October.Entries are also currently open for the eighth annual Queensland Music Awards (QMAs) to emerging and established Queensland artists.
Celebrating an incredible year for Queensland’s thriving music industry, songwriters have until midnight Thursday 24 October to enter their songs in a wide range of self-nominating categories.
“The QMAs celebrate the diverse talent in popular music in Queensland and are a platform for emerging artists to gain recognition and more established musicians to take their career to the next level,” said Ms Samut.
“Queensland boasts some of the most exiting artists on today’s Australian music scene and we look forward to opening the nomination doors to see who we can discover and showcase in 2020.”
Earlier this year, Clea, Tia Gostelow, Amy Shark, The Jungle Giants, Emily Warramara and Sahara Beck were recognised for their musical output at the 2019 QMAs.
Songwriters across Queensland are encouraged to enter their songs by midnight Thursday 24 October via the QMAs website. For more details, entry information and a list of previous winners, visit www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au
The publicly voted Live Music Festival of the Year and Live Music Venue of the Year (Metro and Regional) will return in February 2020, continuing the Awards’ aim to recognise a diverse group of contributors to Queensland music ecosystem.
Tickets for the QMAs will be available to purchase in early 2020.
Highlights from the 2019 QMAs
2020 QMA Self-Nominating Categories:
Schools (grades 6 – 12)
Pop
Rock
Heavy
Singer Songwriter / Folk
Blues / Roots
Country
Hip-Hop / Rap
Electronic / Dance
Jazz / Popular World
Indigenous
Regional
Remote
Video (for filmmakers only)
Major Awards
Song of The Year
Album of The Year
Billy Thorpe Scholarship
Export Achievement Award
Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award
People’s Choice Awards
Metro Venue of The Year
Regional Venue of The Year
Festival of The Year
Acknowledgements
Highest Selling Single
Highest Selling Album
#QldMusicAwards
@QldMusicAwards
www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au