FORT WORTH, TX - Applications are now open for the seventy-one Academy of Western Artists awards in seven categories (Western/Cowboy Music & Poetry, Western Swing Music, Western Country Music, Western Art, Western Media, Western Culture Industry, and Chuckwagon) recognizing work in 2024. Current professional members and new members who join before the Jan. 31, 2025 application deadline are eligible to apply. There is no application fee for an award. Descriptions of each award and what is required to enter are on the awards page.
Musical duos, groups, and bands
Each duo/group/band member joins individually. Members of the group will be linked in the group profile through a member's online account. For award eligibility, at least one member of the group must be a current professional member. The other group members must be either current professional or associate members of the Academy. Group profiles can be created through any group member's online account by providing the group name, contact info, and the names of the other group members. Group profiles will also be listed in the forthcoming Academy member directory.
Application process
All applications are submitted online, through the professional member's online account page. Supporting materials in digital form will be uploaded through a special link subsequently provided to the applicant. Musical artists applying for single, EP, and album awards should be prepared to provide contact information for the producer and mix engineer. Musical artists applying for music video awards should be prepared to provide contact information for the director. For general information and more details, see the awards policies. The Academy reserves the right to withhold an award in any category where the quality or number of entries does not meet the Academy's standards.
The awards process involves multiple steps (Application > Nomination > Voting > Judging). Finalists for each award will be announced on May 16, 2025. Winners will be announced during three award weekend events in 2025 centered around the three music genres (places and dates to be announced later). Awards in the four other categories will be presented during these three weekends. Tickets will be available to the public to attend any of the awards shows.