Time Out's Arts & Culture Awards are back for 2025 in Sydney and Melbourne
Time Out launched these awards last year, and we're pleased to present our second annual edition in 2025.
Australian Cultural Fund Manager Tracy Woolacott says, "Celebrating the daring and thought provoking is in our DNA here at the Australian Cultural Fund, so we couldn't be more excited to be partnering with Time Out to bring the Arts & Culture Awards back to Melbourne for the second year."
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra also says they're proud to support an initiative "that champions the creativity, passion and diversity of Australia's vibrant cultural scene", also adding: "These awards celebrate not only excellence in performance, but also the communities that bring the arts to life. We believe in the power of music and the arts to inspire, connect and elevate, and we're thrilled to be part of this celebration of artistic achievement in Sydney and beyond."
What are the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards categories?
This year, there are seven Critics' Choice categories, with winners selected by our Time Out editors and reviewers, who have been busy getting out and about to see as much of our cities' arts and culture offerings as they possibly can, giving our readers what Time Out has long specialised in: independent critical reviews.
The nine People's Choice categories are where you come in – winners are put forward by the public (and voting is now open in Sydney and Melbourne). This is your chance to support your favourite local arts and culture makers – and for producers, cultural venues, arts companies, and artists: this is your time to call on your supporters to vote for you! Thanks to your feedback (and a few of our own obsessions), we've also introduced three brand-new People's Choice Award categories for 2025: Favourite Live Music Venue, Favourite Classical Music Concert, and Favourite Dance Production.
The eligibility period for the 2025 awards is between May 1, 2024, until July 1, 2025. Voting closes on July 1, so make sure you show your support for your favourite culture makers before it's too late!
Critics' Choice categories (you can't nominate for these):
Best Musical
Best Performance in a Musical
Best Play
Best Performance in a Play
Best Art Exhibition
Best Museum Exhibition
The Impact Award
People's Choice categories:
Favourite Musical
Favourite Performance in a Musical
Favourite Play
Favourite Performance in a Play
Favourite Live Music Venue
Favourite Classical Music Concert
Favourite Art Exhibition
Favourite Museum Exhibition
Favourite Dance Production
How to vote in the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards
When you vote, not only will you be having a say in the wonderful productions, performers, exhibitions and venues that are recognised – but everyone who votes will go in the running to win one of two $250 Visa gift cards (which we'd love for you to spend on your next cultural outing).
Vote now:
For your Sydney faves, here
For your Melbourne faves, here
People can vote for any relevant live performance, production or exhibition, as long as it was on in Sydney or Melbourne from May 2024 to now. Voting closes on July 1, 2025.
Want to nominate yourself for a People's Choice Award?
If you're after assets to encourage people to vote for something you've worked on, head over here.
When will the Arts & Culture Award winners be announced?
The ultimate winners of both the Critics' Choice and People's Choice categories will be revealed at awards events in both Sydney and Melbourne in August 2025.
Will your favourite live show get a nod? Will the performer who made you gasp/weep/cheer get their flowers? Will your local music venue get the attention it deserves? You'll have to stay tuned to our social channels to find out.
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