The Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) announced it would not hold the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards in 2016 as it had not been able to acquire the necessary funding.
According to the JAA, it now intends to hold the awards in 2017. This is the first time the program has been cancelled since its launch in 1968 and, until now, the awards have been consistently held every two years.
This year would have marked the 24th edition of the awards program, which is designed to recognise and celebrate emerging and experienced jewellery designers across Australia and New Zealand.
JAA executive director Amanda Hunter adding, “It is with much regret that we make this decision; however, the success of the event is largely reliant on sponsorship and without all required funding being secured at the end of February, the association is unable to run the program without detriment.”
She also noted that the JAA was in talks with “a number of interested applicants and sponsors”, and that she hoped having a longer lead time would allow the association to offer the awards program next year.
“We would encourage anyone who wishes to support the great talent in our industry to please contact the JAA … to obtain a sponsorship proposal or discuss ways to be involved,” Hunter stated.
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