NOMINATION: Luminary - State and Territory
The Luminary Awards seek to honour individuals and organisations who, through sustained contribution (demonstrated over a period 3-5 years prior), have impacted their communities on a state or territory level through visionary leadership, fearless trailblazing, high-level artistic practice, and championing of Australian repertoire.
Nominations for individuals should demonstrate a program of activities or a range of projects rather than (for example) the recording and release of a single album. Nominations for a single work or project should be made in the Work of the Year or Excellence categories.
If you believe you are nominated in the wrong category or the details of your nomination to be incorrect, please contact the AMC via email at awards@australianmusiccentre.com.au before proceeding with the nomination.
Art Music Award guidelines →
Nominee
Backstage Music
Nominated Project/Activity
Backstage Music - Living Music
State/Territory
New South Wales
Nominator Statement
Backstage Music stands as a luminary force in the Australian art music landscape, a testament to the power of artist-led initiatives. Since 2016, this vibrant concert platform has cultivated a unique space where the grassroots of creative music flourish. Their mission is clear: to nurture collaboration and experimentation, creating a 'sonic melting pot' where musicians of diverse backgrounds, career stages, and interests converge. This commitment to inclusivity is not merely a statement, but a lived reality, woven into the fabric of every season.
Backstage's annual series provides a vital 'living space' for artists, fostering a sense of community essential for developing new and challenging work. They consistently champion underrepresented voices, from First Nations-led programs to female electroacoustic performers, pushing the boundaries of what art music can be. This dedication extends to artists with disabilities, as evidenced by their 'Inclusion - Sharing the Stage' series. Starting with 'Shift' in 2022, and continuing with 'Trace' in 2024, Backstage has created platforms for artists like Georgia Scott, Kristin Rule, Nat Bartsch, Ria Andriani, and Rebecca Bracewell, shining a light on unique perspectives and fostering crucial conversations about accessibility.
Their robust diversity principles, outlined in their Disability Inclusion Action Plan, demonstrate a deep commitment to creating a truly inclusive environment. They prioritize clear communication, transparency, and consultation with artists, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected. Their efforts to include artists with disabilities in leadership roles and provide access training to their team further underscore their dedication to creating lasting change.
Backstage's impact extends beyond their annual seasons. Initiatives like 'Now You Hear Her', which transformed a World Square shop front into a vibrant creative hub, and 'BackYard', a presentation of sculpture and live performance, showcase their innovative approach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they adapted and thrived, creating 'BackStream' live stream events to connect with audiences and support artists.
Their rich history of collaborations, featuring a diverse range of artists including Alana Blackburn, Veronique Serret, William Barton, Claire Chase, Cathy Milliken, and Ensemble Offspring, speaks to their artistic excellence and innovation. Personally, both as a performer and curator, Backstage has provided an invaluable platform for experimentation and the presentation of rarely heard works, particularly by women in electroacoustic composition. This experience reflects the broader impact Backstage has on the community, empowering artists to push boundaries and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Backstage Music is not just a concert platform; it is a vital ecosystem that nurtures the future of Australian art music, fostering a community where creativity thrives and diverse voices are celebrated.
Backstage Music has carved a vital niche in the New South Wales art music scene. Since 2016, they've provided a consistent platform for artists to experiment and connect, fostering a sense of community that's particularly valuable for those developing new and challenging work. Their annual concert series is a 'living space' for artists, offering opportunities that can be rare in the mainstream. Notably, Backstage champions underrepresented voices, actively seeking out and supporting First Nations artists, female electroacoustic performers, and artists with disabilities. Their 'Inclusion - Sharing the Stage' series demonstrates a genuine commitment to accessibility and diversity, bringing unique perspectives to the forefront. This focus on inclusivity, paired with initiatives like 'Now You Hear Her' and 'BackYard', shows a dedication to creating opportunities beyond traditional concert settings. In a landscape where many artists struggle for visibility, Backstage Music provides a crucial stepping stone, nurturing talent and fostering a more inclusive and vibrant art music community in NSW.
Nominee
Backstage Music
Nominated Project/Activity
Backstage Music - Living Music
State/Territory
New South Wales
Backstage's annual series provides a vital 'living space' for artists, fostering a sense of community essential for developing new and challenging work. They consistently champion underrepresented voices, from First Nations-led programs to female electroacoustic performers, pushing the boundaries of what art music can be. This dedication extends to artists with disabilities, as evidenced by their 'Inclusion - Sharing the Stage' series. Starting with 'Shift' in 2022, and continuing with 'Trace' in 2024, Backstage has created platforms for artists like Georgia Scott, Kristin Rule, Nat Bartsch, Ria Andriani, and Rebecca Bracewell, shining a light on unique perspectives and fostering crucial conversations about accessibility.
Their robust diversity principles, outlined in their Disability Inclusion Action Plan, demonstrate a deep commitment to creating a truly inclusive environment. They prioritize clear communication, transparency, and consultation with artists, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected. Their efforts to include artists with disabilities in leadership roles and provide access training to their team further underscore their dedication to creating lasting change.
Backstage's impact extends beyond their annual seasons. Initiatives like 'Now You Hear Her', which transformed a World Square shop front into a vibrant creative hub, and 'BackYard', a presentation of sculpture and live performance, showcase their innovative approach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they adapted and thrived, creating 'BackStream' live stream events to connect with audiences and support artists.
Their rich history of collaborations, featuring a diverse range of artists including Alana Blackburn, Veronique Serret, William Barton, Claire Chase, Cathy Milliken, and Ensemble Offspring, speaks to their artistic excellence and innovation. Personally, both as a performer and curator, Backstage has provided an invaluable platform for experimentation and the presentation of rarely heard works, particularly by women in electroacoustic composition. This experience reflects the broader impact Backstage has on the community, empowering artists to push boundaries and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Backstage Music is not just a concert platform; it is a vital ecosystem that nurtures the future of Australian art music, fostering a community where creativity thrives and diverse voices are celebrated.
Backstage Music has carved a vital niche in the New South Wales art music scene. Since 2016, they've provided a consistent platform for artists to experiment and connect, fostering a sense of community that's particularly valuable for those developing new and challenging work. Their annual concert series is a 'living space' for artists, offering opportunities that can be rare in the mainstream. Notably, Backstage champions underrepresented voices, actively seeking out and supporting First Nations artists, female electroacoustic performers, and artists with disabilities. Their 'Inclusion - Sharing the Stage' series demonstrates a genuine commitment to accessibility and diversity, bringing unique perspectives to the forefront. This focus on inclusivity, paired with initiatives like 'Now You Hear Her' and 'BackYard', shows a dedication to creating opportunities beyond traditional concert settings. In a landscape where many artists struggle for visibility, Backstage Music provides a crucial stepping stone, nurturing talent and fostering a more inclusive and vibrant art music community in NSW.