Artistic Awards Categories
The award categories are separated into three award divisions. Please note the submission specifications for each division.Genre Awards
- Are awarded to the Artist or Group. If a group, 50% of the group must meet
residency requirements.
- An album may only be submitted for nomination
in one of the following Genre Award categories.
Blues Recording of the Year
Children's Recording of the Year
Contemporary Christian/Gospel Recording of the Year
Classical Composition of the Year - For collaborations, at least one of the composers must meet the residency requirements. This award will only honour the Western Canadian composer and not the out-of-region collaborators. This award honours the composer.
Classical Recording of the Year - Nominees may include solo artists, groups or ensembles. This award honours the artist.
Country Recording of the Year
Instrumental Recording of the Year - A minimum 50% of tracks must be instrumental.
Jazz Recording of the Year
Pop Recording of the Year
Urban Recording of the Year- A diverse musical format rooted in the rich traditions of African musical forms. Urban music encompasses African-influenced genres including soul, R&B, latin and reggae.
Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year - Grounded by the polyrhythmatic tempo & attitude of the streets and urban centres. Rap/Hip Hop is a music that effectively borrows from many, if not al other forms of urban musical expression.
Rock Recording of the Year
Roots Recording of the Year - Duo/Group - Roots music may include contemporary folk or ethnically specific traditional music - for example, Cajun or Celtic.
Roots Recording of the Year - Solo - Roots music may include contemporary folk or ethnically specific traditional music - for example, Cajun or Celtic.
World Recording of the Year - Music from all
regions of the world created and played by indigenous music of the
regions of their origin, including western music such as Celtic music
(excluding Reggae and New Age music). Also, music that has elements of
world music fused with other genres. Albums must be predominately World
music. Predominance means 50% or more of the recording.
Cultural Awards
- Are awarded to the Artist or Group that have met the standard residency requirements as well as the cultural origin requirements listed below.- An album may only be submitted for nomination in one of the following Cultural Award categories.
Aboriginal Recording of the Year - Awarded to the group or artist with the most outstanding recording - whose members are of Aboriginal or Metis origin.
Francophone Recording of the Year - Awarded to the
group or artist with the most outstanding francophone recording - vocal
performance only, with a minimum of 50% of the tracks sung in the
French language.
Distinction Awards
- Are awarded to the Artist or Group. If a group, 50% of the group must meet
residency requirements.
- An album may be submitted for nomination
in one or both of the following Distinction Award categories.
Independent Album of the Year- An album released by an artist who is
not signed directly to a major label. An album released on an
independent label but distributed by a major label is considered an
independent album.
Songwriter(s) of the Year - For collaborations, at
least one of the songwriters must meet the residency requirements. This
award will only honour the Western Canadian songwriter and not the
out-of-region collaborators.
Achievement Awards
International Achievement Award - This award
honours the work of western Canadian artists who have achieved
considerable national and/or international stature in the industry and
who have achieved significant album sales over the course of the year.
Hall of Fame Award - This award is chosen by the Board of Directors and the local Host Committee.