Nominations open for CIMA’s 2024 Make It Music Awards!
CIMA’s annual celebration is back in full force on April 23, 2024, at STACKT market in Toronto!
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Make It Music Awards, CIMA’s annual celebration of the innovative leaders who strengthen Canada’s independent music industry to make it the truly exceptional cultural force that it is, both at home and around the world.
We want to hear from you: who has inspired you recently? It could be a mentor, a peer, a friend, or someone you’ve never met, but whose work reverberates through to your own. Take a few minutes to nominate the people who make our industry the kind of place you want to be part of, to thrive in, and to stay in.
Formerly called CIMA’s Celebration & Awards Gala, the Make It Music Awards will take place on the evening before the second annual Make It Music Summit (April 24-25, 2024), returning to its pre-COVID format as a seated dinner and show.
Past honourees include Pegi Cecconi, Farley Flex, Dave Bookman, Sandy Pandya, Joel Carriere, Shauna de Cartier, and Monstercat Records.
“I’m really excited about this year’s Make It Music Awards,” says CIMA President and CEO, Andrew Cash. “Everyone has worked so hard this past year behind the scenes to build successful careers for your artists and a dynamic independent music industry. The Make It Music gala is your night to get out from behind the curtain and celebrate the awesomeness of Canada’s independent music entrepreneurs.”
We invite industry members to submit 1-3 names for consideration per category, along with no more than 50-300 words per nominee, explaining why you believe each individual has notably contributed to Canada’s independent music community. Please note: nominator information will be kept private.
Submit your nominations here by March 18, 2024: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024makeitmusicawards
Register for Make It Music and purchase Make It Music Awards tickets here: https://makeitmusic.vfairs.com/en/registration-form
Questions? Contact Jenia Schukov: jenia@cimamusic.ca
Interested in partnering with Make It Music? Contact Mary Georgio: mary@cimamusic.ca
MAKE IT MUSIC 2024 AWARDS CATEGORIES
Make It STRONGER 2024
The Brian Chater Leadership Award
Inspired by our former president, CIMA’s STRONGER Award (formerly The Brian Chater Leadership Award) celebrates anyone in the independent music industry whose passionate and innovative approach has redefined best practices over the years. These true leaders have set the tone for vibrant and sustainable models across any area of the independent music industry in Canada – they are the visionaries whose work in the trenches paves the way for businesses and creatives.
Make It FEARLESS 2024
The Entrepreneur Award
CIMA’s FEARLESS Award (Formerly the Entrepreneur Award) celebrates fearless trendsetters who spearhead and drive successful businesses, emerging or established, with an ethical approach and a true indie spirit. CIMA’s FEARLESS Award is given to those who combine a passion for music with business savvy to turn their visions into a reality. FEARLESS are the owners, risk-takers and shapeshifters who lead the way into the next era of the music industry.
Make It Music CHAMPION 2024
The Unsung Hero Award
CIMA’s CHAMPION Award (formerly Unsung Hero Award) recognizes someone who lives and breathes Canada’s independent music industry. This award is designed to recognize any individual, group, or organisation that may not necessarily be on the industry’s ‘awards radar’ but have made exceptional contributions to our sector’s growth and success.
Make It BOLD 2024
The Marketing Award
Innovation knows no bounds in the digital era, and creative approaches to promotional campaigns, be they viral, experiential or lifestyle-focused, make for an exciting landscape in which to launch new projects.
Whether for music releases, tour announcements, fan engagement initiatives, cutting-edge activations or anything in between, Canada’s independent community knows how to turn heads and command attention for its artists, whether budgets and teams are large or small.
CIMA’s BOLD (formerly the Marketing Award) acknowledges the marketing power, creativity, and inventive fire of our indies. Who has inspired you recently with unique and successful marketing campaigns?
Make It CHANGE 2024
The Builder Award
CIMA’s CHANGE Award (formerly the Builder/Founders Award) celebrates the leadership of individuals who have served on CIMA’s Board of Directors over the organization’s 49 years of supporting Canada’s independent music sector. To be on the Board is to think of the Big Picture, to assess and anticipate the needs, challenges, and opportunities of an entire sector and its countless branches, and to advocate to make it better for all. Change can be slow to affect, and the dedication it takes to serve on a Board deserves recognition. From countless volunteer hours, to a complex learning curve, to putting the health of your sector before your personal interests, we could not support our members without the hard work, tenacity, loyalty, mentorship, and belief in a greater good demonstrated by these individuals over the years!