2009 APRA Professional Development Awards

The APRA Professional Development Awards are presented by APRA in conjunction with music organisations and institutions involved in the representation or education of Australian music writers. The Awards offer cash, travel and recognition to music writers in the early stages of their careers.


The APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs) were first awarded in 2001 to mark APRA's 75th Anniversary. The awards were received so enthusiastically by the music industry that the APRA board decided to make the PDAs a permanent fixture on the APRA cultural calendar. As a result, APRA now offers eleven PDAs in Australia and New Zealand to promising young music writers in the early stages of their careers.

Each award winner will receive:


• $12,000

• Gibson Guitar

• Berklee College online music course

• Studio time at Trackdown Sydney

Total prize package valued at $16,000.




The PDAs are for Australian writers who can demonstrate that they possess outstanding potential in their field. Up to eight professional composers and songwriters will receive Awards. Assistance will be provided in the form of overseas travel to enable recipients to further their careers by attending music education courses, song writing workshops, composer seminars, participating in co-writing activities or other relevant opportunities.



Composers may submit to the following categories: Popular Contemporary (3 Awards are given in this category which includes Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Hip Hop, Dance and R&B); Country; Jazz; Classical; and Film and Television and Indigenous. Please note that there are additional requirement for the Classical category - check the APRA web site for details.



The Awards will be made after a detailed selection process carried out by APRA in conjunction with each partner organisation. Short listed nominations are then considered by judging panels in each genre which are comprised of composers, songwriters, publishers, producers and educators. The Awards will be announced at a date to be advised in March 2009 and presented at a special function in Sydney.



Partner organisations who are accepting online submissions include:


AAM Association of Artists

AFTRS Australian Film, Television and Radio School

AGSC Australian Guild of Screen Composers

AIR Association of Independent Record Labels

AMC Australian Music Centre

ASONG Australian Songwriters Official National Group

Ausmusic SA

CAAMA Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association

Carclew Youth Arts Centre

CMA Global Task Force Australian Advisory Group

CMAA Country Music Association of Australia

Fellowship of Australian Composers

Gadigal Information Service

GCMIA Gold Coast Music Industry Association

Goolari Media Enterprises

Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society

MMF Australia Music Managers' Forum (Aust) Ltd

Multicultural Arts VIC

Music NT

MusicNSW

Q Music Queensland Music Network Inc

SIMA Sydney Improvised Music Association

TDP Talent Development Project

TasMusic

The Push Inc

VIBE Australia Pty Ltd

WAM Western Australian Music Industry Association


Please note the following guidelines when submitting to APRA’s Professional Development Awards:

*Nominees must be not less than 18 years of age on 1st January 2009.

*Nominees must be Australian citizens or have been a legal resident in Australia for a minimum of two consecutive years on 1st January 2009.

*Nominees may only apply for one category of Award.

*Nominations may only be made by individual writers. Co-writers should nominate separately.

*Previous winners of an APRA Professional Development Award are ineligible to apply.