General Information
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline for the Music NWT Awards is midnight MST on Sunday July 31, 2022.
It is highly recommended that applications be submitted well before the deadline to ensure there are no unforeseen issues at the time of submission. Late applications due to technical issues within 24 hours of the deadline will not be considered acceptable grounds for late submission and may lead to your application not being considered.
Who Can Apply
Submissions can be made by the Artist/Industry professional themselves or they can be submitted on the Artist’s/Industry professional’s behalf.
Music NWT Membership
It is recommended that nominees, and those submitting, be a member of a Music NWT but is not required.
Residency
- The nominee must have been a resident of the NWT for at least a 6-month period between July 31, 2019 – July 31, 2022 and within 6-months of the date of release.
- For groups, at least 50% of the band must meet the residency requirement.
- Proof of residency may be required
- Music Industry Businesses must be registered in the NWT
Minimum number of submissions needed in order for a category to proceed
- There must be a minimum of two submissions for a category to proceed.
- If there aren’t enough submissions the category is skipped for the year and nominees can resubmit for the next awards.
Multiple Nominations
You may only nominate a particular work for one category, unless otherwise stated.
Jury
- The jurors will be chosen for their impartiality and demonstrated knowledge and expertise.
- Music NWT board and staff members are not allowed to sit as jurors or to influence the jurors’ decisions of the juries.
Release Requirements
- The nominee must have a commercial release (for song related categories) between July 31, 2019 and July 31, 2022, unless otherwise stated.
- For the Live Performance Excellence, Venue Excellence and Music Industry Excellence Awards, the nomination must be in relation to activities between July 31, 2019 and July 31, 2022.
Nomination and Voting Procedure
The submissions will be screened upon completion to ensure that each submission is complete and meets all eligibility requirements. Any submissions that are incomplete or ineligible will be disqualified.
A panel of impartial jurors will adjudicate all submissions and select the final nominees in each category. The jury committee reserves the right to recategorize a submission at their sole discretion.
Please review below the Music NWT Award Category information. Be advised that any deviation from the requirements may result in your submission being disqualified. If you have any questions about the criteria, please contact MusicNWT.info@gmail.com.
Music NWT Awards value diversity, equity and inclusion, and welcome applications from artists from diverse backgrounds
Fan Choice Award
Definition: This award recognizes an artist who has had at least one song that has been commercially released and has showed radio chart successes, media exposure, industry recognition, and/or touring success and is then selected based on votes by the public.
Eligibility: Any single new song, must be commercially released, within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022). These recordings can be live, or fully produced. If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the residency requirement.
Best New Album/EP
Definition: This award recognizes an artist whose music demonstrates excellence in musicality, and the release showed radio chart successes, media exposure, industry recognition, and/or touring success. At least 50% of the tracks must be previously unreleased songs. An unreleased song is defined as material not previously released to radio, retail or other public consumption. Re-recorded live or compilation releases must meet the same requirements.
Eligibility: A minimum of (3) new songs must be commercially released within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022). These recordings can be live, or fully produced. If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the residency requirement.
Best New Single
Definition: This award recognizes an artist whose single release demonstrates excellence in musicality, and the release showed radio chart successes, media exposure, industry recognition, and/or touring success. The song must be previously unreleased. An unreleased song is defined as material not previously released to radio, retail or other public consumption. Re-recorded live or compilation releases must meet the same requirements.
Eligibility: A single new song must be commercially released, not part of an Album or EP, within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022). These recordings can be live, or fully produced. If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the residency requirement.
Best in Debut Release
Definition: This award recognizes an artist who released their first single or album, whose music demonstrates excellence in musicality, and the release showed radio chart successes, media exposure, industry recognition, and/or touring success. If a group, at least 50% of the members must have never been involved in a previous release.
Eligibility: The song must be commercially released within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022). The recordings can be live, or fully produced. If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the residency requirement.
Live Performance Award of Excellence
Definition: This award recognizes an artist who demonstrates excellence in live performance. This may be a one-time performance or a series of performances. This may be demonstrated through audience size and engagement, performance production, media coverage, video recordings, testimonials, etc.
Eligibility: The performance(s) had to have occurred 36 months prior to the close of submissions (July 31, 2022) and the artists must have been a resident of the NWT at the time of the performance.
Music Industry Award of Excellence
Definition: This award recognizes a music industry professional, company or organization who supports artists in any capacity. This may include Music Management, Production, Audio Engineering, Publishing, Sound Technician, Promotion, and Mentorship.
Eligibility: The activities that are being nominated must have occurred within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022). If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the residency requirement. Individuals must meet the residency requirement and businesses or organizations must be registered in the NWT.
Music Video Award of Excellence
Definition – This award recognizes an artist who demonstrates excellence in the unique contribution a music video makes to both the commercial success and the public reception of a song. Submissions must include links to the video online. The award goes to the director of the video. Videos produced outside of the NWT may qualify, provided the director is based in the NWT. A directing team is eligible, provided they meet the residency requirement.
Eligibility – A full length video release within 36 months of the submission deadline. The video can be live, or fully produced. If a directing group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Songwriting Award of Excellence
Definition – This award recognizes an artist whose music demonstrates excellence in the craft of songwriting. A songwriter writing alone or in collaboration with others is eligible, as long as one (1) is a resident of the NWT at the time of creation. A songwriter may make a submission as a single songwriter or as part of a songwriting team. Songwriter(s) who wish to be considered as a team must all consent to submitting as a team. One physical trophy is awarded regardless of songwriting team size. NWT songwriters who write for international artists/releases are eligible. A song does not need to contain lyrics to be eligible. Songs submitted must have been released, in any format, during eligibility period. i.e., songs released as singles or videos during the eligibility period may stand for nomination, even if they were released on an album prior to the eligibility period. Copyright owners (Publisher or Songwriter) must submit one (1) song as a representation of the creative success of each songwriter’s body of work during the eligibility period.
Eligibility – The song must be released commercially within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022). This recording can be live, or fully produced. If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Venue Award of Excellence
Definition: This award recognizes a venue that has supported NWT artists over the past 36 months. This may include festivals, bars, theatres, public events, or private spaces. Considerations will include renumeration for artists, creating opportunities for emerging artists, promotion, and general impact for artists and the music industry.
Eligibility: The activities that are being nominated must have occurred within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022).
Indigenous Artist Award of Excellence
Definition – This award recognizes an artist whose music demonstrates excellence as an Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis artist or group who performs in either a traditional or contemporary musical style. Extra consideration will be given to releases done in a recognised NWT Indigenous Language. In the case of a duo or group, at least 50% of members must identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Aboriginal and/or Metis. Submissions into this category may also be submitted into one other category in the same year.
Eligibility – A minimum of 1 new songs must be commercially released within 36 months of the submission deadline (July 31, 2022) and not be part of a collection previously nominated. These recordings can be live, or fully produced. If a group, at least 50% of the members must fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Music NWT Hall of Fame
Definition – This award recognizes an individual whose music or music industry activities have contributed to the NWT Music Industry and/or culture in a significant way.
Eligibility – The nominee must have been a resident of the NWT during the period for which they are being nominated. There is no time period associated with nominations in this category.