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“The NIMAs are one of Australia’s most important music events” Beat Magazine

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) are recognised as one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous music awards and have been celebrating Australian music for 16 years.

The NIMAs showcase the rich musical landscape of Australia and highlight the music coming from all corners of the country. The Awards bring together acts who are yet to make their mark on the world alongside those who have achieved international acclaim, such as Gurrumul & Jessica Mauboy.

Held annually under the stars at Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre, The NIMAS bring audiences from all over Australia together to applaud the winners, enjoy the performances and soak up the ambiance of a night for music lovers of all ages and all cultures. Musicians such as Yothu Yindi, Gurrumul, The Tableland Drifters, Warren H. Williams and Arnhem Land rockstars Saltwater Band have performed and won awards as well.

“There’s so much great talent coming through and it’s a privilege to be in the same company.” Dan Sultan, NIMAs Award Winner

The NIMAs are a special celebration of Indigenous music: a family friendly, not-to-be-missed event in the Darwin entertainment calendar and the Australian music calendar.

Recognising the important place the event holds for its artists, past and present, as well as its audience, the NIMAs program a huge night of performances as part of the award ceremony, positioning it as a major music festival on the National event calendar. While 2020 saw the event move online/virtual and onto screens, where it was broadcast to over 250, 000 people across the country, we are excited to return to the George Brown Botanic Garden Amphitheatre, on Larrakia Country, to celebrate some of the most exciting music in the country.

“The growth in the National Indigenous Music Awards has mirrored the growth of Indigenous music more generally over the last fifteen years. As our musicians have continued their journey of taking their rightful place at the forefront of Australian music, the awards have been there not just to celebrate their successes, but to be a launching pad for new talent and discovery vehicle for musicians.” Former NIMA Reference Group Chair Warren H. Williams.

This year is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for new First Nations music, with artists seeing success both locally and internationally, and iconic acts building up for new releases. The NIMAs are proud to continue to celebrate and showcase the first music of this nation, and the diverse stories being shared from First Nations artists from right across the country.