Changes to Music Nova Scotia Awards
After significant consultation with the Music Nova Scotia membership and the organization's Board of Directors, we are pleased to present the 2022 edition of the Music Nova Scotia Awards Manual. Thank you to the hundreds of people who shared their experiences and thoughts about the MNS Awards in order to help us to modernize the event and help ensure we keep artists and industry at the heart of the celebrations.
This year, Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. This anniversary has allowed Music Nova Scotia the opportunity to reflect on the true value of the MNS Awards; celebrating and supporting the growth of emerging and established Nova Scotia artists. Music Nova Scotia will be opening Award Nominations on June 22 at 11AM. To ensure you don’t miss anything, sign up for the NSMW newsletter here.
In January 2022, MNS launched an Awards Survey to intake feedback from the membership and general community on the MNS Awards. MNS aimed to garner more information on how the community saw the process for being nominated, the impact of the awards, and other relevant information. The feedback was processed by MNS staff and the MNS Board’s programming committee when putting together the slate of MNS Awards for 2022 and beyond.
After careful consideration, the following changes have been made to the awards program.
Changes to Awards:
1.) The following music awards are being retired:
Alternative Recording of the Year
Digital Artist of the Year
Inspirational Recording of the Year
Recording of the Year
Group Recording of the Year
Solo Recording of the Year
2.) Acadian/ Francophone Artist of the Year will now be Prix de l’Acadie
Ce prix reconnaît les accomplissements exceptionnels dans l'industrie d'un artiste ou d'un groupe de tout genre créant, interprétant et développant leur carrière en français. S'il s'agit d'un groupe, au moins 50 % des membres doivent être (ou s'identifier) comme Acadiens ou francophones et satisfaire les critères d'admissibilité. Une liste d'accomplissements professionnels de la période d'éligibilité doit être incluse dans le champ « support material » du formulaire de mise en candidature en ligne. Ce prix ne nécessite pas un enregistrement et sera jugé par des membres de la communauté acadienne et francophone.
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the industry by an artist or group in any genre creating, performing, and developing their career in French. If a group, at least 50% of members must be (or self-identify) as Acadian or Francophone and fulfill the eligibility criteria. A list of professional accomplishments from the eligibility period should be included in the “support material” field in the online nomination form. This award does not require a recording and will be juried by members of the Acadian and Francophone community.
3.) Updated Category: “Traditional Recording of the Year”
“Folk” has been removed from the title of this category. Traditional Recording of the Year will now encompass any/all vocal or instrumental ethnically-specific traditional music (e.g. Acadian, Celtic, Iranian, Korean, African, etc.). Those wishing to submit a folk recording may do so in the updated "Folk/Roots Recording of the Year."
4. Industry Awards categories are now as follows:
Emerging Industry Professional of the Year
Live Sector Award
Recording Sector Award
Artistic Development Award
Sound, Tech, or Production Award
Media Arts Award
Volunteer of the year will be selected and presented by the host community. For full definitions of each award category please refer to the Awards Manual.
Changes to Submission Process:
All Industry Award Nominations will be “write in” at no extra cost.
Changes to Jury Process:
1.) Increased Juries for Music Awards
A total of eleven juries will each be made up of three members of the music industry from Nova Scotia and across Canada where appropriate (artists or industry). Ensuring artistic integrity is paramount to the awards process. Juries will be assigned to multiple award categories, save for African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year, Indigenous Artist of the Year, and Prix de l’Acadie which will have their own juries from members of their respective communities.
Music Nova Scotia will make every effort to ensure members of the community for each genre are represented on the respective juries while ensuring there are limited conflicts of interest.
2.) Changes to the final voting process
Members will only need to vote for 50% of the ballot in the Music Awards.
To review the category descriptions and eligibility in depth, please view our Awards Manual which is to be used as a reference guide for the 2022 Music Nova Scotia Awards. A reminder to please read the information contained in this document carefully to ensure that your submission(s) fulfill the criteria for the award categories.
This information is updated annually and is valid only for the Nova Scotia Music Week event in Sydney, Nova Scotia, November 3 - 6, 2022. If you still need clarification or have questions after reading the Awards Manual, please contact:
Dana Beeler
Events, Marketing, and Communications Manager
Music Nova Scotia
Email: dana@musicnovascotia.ca
Phone: +1 902-800-8525
