Next Up Music Awards Announced To Spotlight Young Creatives
Driven by youth and backed by Sia and Troye Sivan, the NUMAs are set to fast-track the next wave of Australian talent.
Image Charlie Hardy
Next Up Music Awards (NUMAs) is a new national initiative that aims to put school-aged Australian music creators and their teachers in the spotlight.
Respected music executive Milly Petriella OAM is behind the NUMAs, which will be supported by student internships to help create more accessible pathways for young creatives who want to be involved in the music industry.
The NUMAs have support from an array of heavyhitters, with Sia and Troye Sivan tapped as the first of a group of industry Patrons, while Mahalia Barnes has been revealed as Artistic Director alongside DOBBY as First Nations Artistic Director. Ruby Rodgers and Myka Champion have both been appointed as the first Youth Patrons and will help shape the program.
Backed by Revive Live – an Australian Government initiative, the first event will take place at Sydney’s Carriageworks on Thursday 28 January 2027 and recognise school-aged recording artists, producers and songwriters while also shining a spotlight on educators, with Music Teacher of the Year awards presented by Music Australia across both primary and secondary categories.
READ MORE: Nominations Now Open for the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards
“NUMAs is not just an awards program. At a time when so much of our young people’s lives are shaped online, we want this to be a real-world space for creativity, connection and live expression,” explains Milly Petriella OAM.
“Through paid internships, mentorship and hands-on involvement in the event, we're helping young people build skills, confidence and community, whether they see their future on stage, in the studio or behind the scenes.”
Open nationally to students aged 6–18 and their music teachers, nominations and intern applications will open in June via nextupmusicawards.com.
