Awards Process

Awards are retrospective (awarded in one year for work/artistic output in the preceding year). For the 2024 awards, applications will be accepted from Nov. 15, 2024 to Feb. 28, 2025. Other key dates are outlined below.

1. Applications for awards (14-week period, from Nov 15 of award year through Feb 28 of ceremony year)
   • All professional members of the Academy are eligible to apply.
   • Applications will be submitted online, and will include all relevant information for consideration, such as publication information for a book; video footage, photographs, music, and testimonials for male/female vocalist & duo/group awards; audio files for song and recording of the year; photographs of artworks, saddles, and other items; etc.
   • There is no application fee for an award.
2. Nominations for awards (two month period, from Mar 1 through April 30 of ceremony year)
   • Each Academy member (professional, associate, and fan) can nominate one of the award applicants in each category. Academy members may review the relevant information provided by the applicant before nominating.
   • All nominations will be submitted online.
3. Voting by peers (two month period, from May 1 through Jun 30 of ceremony year)
   • Current professional members of the Academy will vote on all awards in their own category, with one vote per award.
   • Voting will take place via online login.
   • Voters will have access to all information submitted for consideration.
   • We reserve the right to withhold an award in any category where the quality or number of entries does not meet the Academy's standards.
   • Five finalists for each award will be announced on July 1 of the ceremony year.
4. Winners will be chosen from the five finalists by a blind jury and announced at one of the three awards shows in early fall.