Sia and Troye Sivan Back New Youth-Led Music Awards

The details of a new national initiative that just received funding through the Australian Government's Revive Live program - the Next Up Music Awards (NUMAs) and paid Youth Intern Program - have been unveiled.

Founded by respected music executive Milly Petriella, the NUMAs have been created as a youth-led celebration of emerging talent in schools supported by student internships, designed to strengthen the pathways connecting young creators and the contemporary music industry.

Australian music icons Sia and Troye Sivan will support the initiative as the first of a group of industry Patrons, with Mahalia Barnes announced as Artistic Director alongside DOBBY as First Nations Artistic Director, and Ruby Rodgers and Myka Champion as the first Youth Patrons, helping to shape the program and reflect how music is created and shared today.

The inaugural NUMAs will be hosted by venue partner Carriageworks in Sydney on Thursday, January 28th, 2027, and arrive at a critical moment for local music, responding to declining access to music education and growing concern for the future creative workforce. Recognising school-aged recording artists, producers, and songwriters, the awards provide a national stage with live performance, mentorship, and paid youth roles behind the scenes.

They will also shine a spotlight on educators, with Music Teacher of the Year awards presented by Music Australia across both primary and secondary categories - recognising the critical role teachers play in shaping the next generation of artists and industry.

Backed by Revive Live, early support spans both music and education, with other partnerships including the Song Room and more to be announced.

“NUMAs is not just an awards program. At a time when so much of our young people’s lives are shaped online, we want this to be a real-world space for creativity, connection and live expression," Petriella said.

“Through paid internships, mentorship and hands-on involvement in the event, we're helping young people build skills, confidence and community, whether they see their future on stage, in the studio or behind the scenes.”

Nominations and intern applications will open next month for students nationally aged 6-18 and their music teachers. See here for details.