The winners of the 2021 Art Music Awards have been announced, with Cathy Milliken, Anne Cawrse, Lisa Young and Vanessa Perica among the individuals honoured, and Sydney Chamber Opera, Moorambilla Voices and Speak Percussion among the organisations to take home a gong.

Jessica O’Donoghue in Sydney Chamber Opera’s Commute. Photo © Daniel Boud

Reflecting the chaotic nature of the music industry these past two years, the awards were originally to have been held at a traditional gala event. When that proved impossible, a digital-only show was developed, featuring pre-recorded performances and presentations. Sadly, even that was scuppered by the current lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne. Instead it was left to the co-presenters of the awards, APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre (AMC), to congratulate the winners in a press release.

Dean Ormston, APRA AMCOS Chief Executive, and Marshall McGuire, Chair of the AMC’s Board of Directors, said in a statement, “While we are disappointed to have not had the chance to celebrate with you all in person, we remain committed to advocating on behalf of music creators, organisations and arts workers. Our planned virtual program was to have been a...