The International Music Council Music Rights Award is given biennially to a programme or a project that supports in an exemplary way the Five Music Rights enunciated by IMC:
- the right for all children and adults
- to express themselves musically in all freedom
- to learn musical languages and skills
- to have access to musical involvement through participation, listening, creation, and information
- the right for musical artists
- to develop their artistry and communicate through all media, with proper facilities at their disposal
- to obtain just recognition and fair remuneration for their work
PURPOSE
This award is intended:
- to offer strong recognition and reward to projects and programmes that give exemplary support to the Five Music Rights
- to provide the opportunity to promote the Five Music Rights and IMC’s commitment to them
- by presenting and describing these exemplary programmes and projects, to encourage IMC members and other organisations to give active support to the Five Music Rights
BENEFITS FOR AWARD RECIPIENT
- The award will be widely promoted by IMC on its website and social media channels.
- The award will be presented at a major music event and a representative of the awarded project or programme will be invited to the ceremony (pending confirmation from our sponsors).
ELIGIBILITY
Any ongoing programme or project supporting the IMC’s Five Music Rights is eligible. Previous laureates or projects having received a special commendation are not eligible.
You can find here the list of previous laureates.
NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the award can be made by any organisation. Nominations must be made on the official online entry form and must be received by the deadline. Organisations may nominate any programme or project that meets the purpose and criteria, whether belonging to their own organisation or some other.
Nominations should as far as is possible use the English language. However, if this presents difficulties, nominations may be sent in the other official IMC languages, Spanish or French, and the IMC office will translate them into English for the Advisory Panel, if needed.
Each organisation may put forward up to two nominations.
CRITERIA
The nominated project or programme:
1. Must support in an exemplary way the IMC’s Five Music Rights
2. Will be assessed against the following criteria:
a. Innovation
b. Direct impact
c. Potential for wider influence and/or sustainability
d. Cost-effectiveness
e. Youth involvement
ASSESSMENT
Nominations will be assessed against the criteria by an Advisory Panel reporting to the Executive Board of the IMC. The Advisory Panel will be composed of one representative of each world region, and one of the IMC Board; it will be moderated by an independent chair.
The Advisory Panel will recommend ONE winner to be considered by the Board.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION
Nominations for the award must be received by June 9, 2025 midnight CEST at the latest.
NOTIFICATION
The recipient will be notified in confidence in early September 2025. A public announcement of the recipient will be made on 1 October 2025, International Music Day.
CONTACT
For additional information, please contact the IMC Secretariat at info [at] imc-cim.org