ARIA's Australian Music Prize offers $25,000 for best album award

AUSTRALIA'S finest album of the year will be recognised with a new award called the Australian Music Prize.

The prize is inspired by Britain's Mercury Music Prize, which awards outstanding, adventurous work and has provided a huge boost in sales and profile to its winners.

The Australian award — $25,000 in cash donated by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia — is a further incentive for struggling musicians after successful independent artists John Butler and the Hilltop Hoods set up their own grant schemes this year.

The judging process will be broader than the ARIA Awards' album of the year, which is generally limited to big sellers. Entrants do not need to be ARIA members and adventurous sounds will be encouraged.

EMI managing director and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia chairman John O'Donnell wants artists across all genres to submit entries: "Our judging criteria is not related to sales or fashion, but to quality songs and performance."

Read full article by Patrick Donovan at TheAge.com.au

Albums must be made by Australian citizens and released in 2005. It costs $50 to enter.

A panel of 50 judges — music critics, record store staff, established artists and music promoters — will whittle entries down to eight then announce the winner at a ceremony in March.

Entries open on October 3 — for more information go to TheAmp2005.com.au