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Artist News Awards
Oram Awards winners announced
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 1 November 2022
Organisers of the Oram Awards have announced this year’s winners, ahead of a ceremony at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival later this month. Alongside the six UK-based winners, this year there are two international winners as well, via a new partnership with the British Council.
Also supported by the PRS Foundation, these awards recognise innovation in sound, music and related technologies among women, trans and non-binary music creators. The UK winners of the sixth edition of the awards are Ella Kay, Amble Skuse, Lula.xyz, Kelly Jayne Jones, Amy Cutler and Lia Mazzari. The two winners in the new international category are Rani Jambak and FRKTL.
Three of the winners will receive special commendations and bursaries of £1500, while the other five will get £500. All eight will be given access to the Oram Awards Mentoring Programme.
Lead producer of the event, Karen Sutton, notes how the awards “have gained increasing acclaim across the UK in the last five years”, resulting in organisers “constantly evolving” the initiative, “amassing a cohort of 32 winners and developing a mentorship programme for the winners”.
“As the next step in our development”, she continues, “in partnership with the British Council we have launched a new international category for 2022, looking beyond the UK and recognising worldwide talent. We have worked with twelve esteemed nominators worldwide to seek the world’s most innovative artists”.
Co-founder of the awards, Matthew Herbert, adds: “It’s always thrilling to hear the annual submissions for the Orams. I am reminded how spoiled for creative musicians we are in this country. I’m particularly grateful to the British Council for their support this year in allowing us to expand internationally”.
“It is worth noting, however, that despite being probably the very best place in the world for the sheer breadth and quality of our musical output, the last decade has seen a substantial decline in music teaching in schools, as well as proposed plans to limit places at universities and colleges to study music”, he goes on.
“It is to all our detriment, including economically, if the government continues to make it even harder for the next generation to try an instrument, study music or travel around Europe with ease. Likewise, if streaming platforms and labels don’t distribute income fairly, the ecosystem is likely to fray even more”.
“At its heart ours is – or should be – an industry that brings joy, fulfilment, creativity, collaboration, employment, and revenue to millions of people, it should be championed and celebrated”, he concludes. “In this, our sixth year, we’re delighted to be able to continue to support and highlight some brilliant women who’ve made fascinating work this year”.
The ceremony will take place on 24 Nov at 7.30pm in Huddersfield’s Bates Hall as part of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
