Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards.

Nominations are open in the following categories:

• Individual Award $50,000
• Group Award $80,000
• Facilitator’s Prize $20,000

These prestigious national awards pay tribute to outstanding achievement in drama, comedy, dance, music, opera, circus and puppetry. 

Nominations close Friday 12 November 2010.

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards were created in 1984 by the Trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Sidney Myer.

The Awards were created to commemorate his life and his love for the arts. They intend primarily to enhance the status of performing arts in Australia and recognise outstanding achievements in dance, drama, comedy, music, opera, circus and puppetry.

The Awards are annual and focus on two awards and one prize in the areas of:
• Individual Award
• Group Award
• Facilitator’s Prize

The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards are announced and presented early each year for the preceding year. The Awards are decided on a national basis and each nomination is considered by a Judging Committee. While past achievement is recognised, consideration is also given to the potential of an individual or group to continue their contribution to Australian society through the performing arts into the future.

For the purpose of the Awards, the performing arts are defined to include all aspects of creation and performance of all forms of drama, comedy, dance, music, opera, circus and puppetry. They do not include visual or plastic arts, crafts, film, electronic media or literature.