The annual Melbourne Prize runs on a three-year awards cycle, alternating between books, music and urban sculpture and this year sees the focus return once again to music.

Valued at more than $130,000 in total, the Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 and Awards is one of the most valuable music prizes in Australia, providing significant opportunities for Victorian musicians across all music genres and career stages. This year’s judges include six esteemed music sector professionals: Professor Paul Grabowsky AO, Patrick Donovan, Genevieve Lacey, Marshall McGuire, Helen Marcou and Ronald Vermeulen.

2016 also sees the addition of two new categories, expanding the Prize’s outreach even further. Here is a full list of categories:

• Melbourne Prize for Music, $60,000: This category is for a Victorian musician, or group of musicians, whose work has made an outstanding contribution to Australian music and has enriched cultural and public life. Supported by The Vera Moore Foundation.

• Outstanding Musicians Award, $30,000+ $2,500 Qantas voucher: This category is for a Victorian musician or group for a recent work representing outstanding creativity and skill. Supported by the Melbourne Prize Trust.

• Beleura Award for Composition, $25,000: This new category is for a composition of outstanding musicianship, skill and creativity. All genres of composition are eligible. Supported by The Tallis Foundation in memory of John Tallis (1911-1996).

• Distinguished Musicians Fellowship, $20,000: This new category provides a commercial engagement with the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) to the value of $20,000. Supported by the VCA and MCM.

• Development Award, $16,000: This category is for an early career musician or group, 30 years of age and under, demonstrating outstanding musical talent with the potential to develop their professional career. The winner will receive $10,000 cash, and a $6,000 Yamaha Music Australia grant. Supported by The William Buckland Foundation.

• Civic Choice Award, $4,000: This category is open to all finalists and goes to the one with the highest votes. Voting opens on Tuesday 6 September, and voters will go into the running to win a luxury overnight stay at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne’s Hotel for the Arts. Supported by Readings.

Here are some key dates to mark in your calendar:

• Entries for the Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 and Awards close at 5pm, Monday 11 July.
• Finalists will be announced on Tuesday 6 September.
• Voting for the Civic Choice Award will open on Tuesday 6 September.
• A free public exhibition of the finalists’ work will be held at Federation Square between Monday 7 November and Monday 21 November.
• Winners will be announced on Wednesday 9 November.

Find out more about the the Melbourne Prize for Music and Awards (and how to enter) here.