FAQ

General Information

What are The Meridian Awards?

The Meridian Awards is an international awards platform recognising exceptional artistic work across music and related creative disciplines. Meridian exists to celebrate originality, artistic identity, craftsmanship, innovation, and meaningful creative expression through human-led evaluation.

What makes The Meridian Awards different from other awards?

Meridian focuses on artistic merit above commercial performance, popularity metrics, industry politics, or algorithmic visibility. All submissions are evaluated by a human jury using structured assessment criteria designed to prioritise creativity, vision, execution, and artistic integrity.

Are The Meridian Awards genre-specific?

No. Meridian is open to artists and creators working across all genres and styles, provided the work demonstrates strong artistic value and meets the eligibility requirements.

Are independent artists eligible?

Yes. Independent, self-released, unsigned, and emerging artists are fully eligible to submit work.

Are labels, managers, or representatives allowed to submit on behalf of artists?

Yes. Labels, managers, publicists, distributors, and authorised representatives may submit work on behalf of artists or creative teams.

 

Eligibility

What release dates are eligible?

Eligible works must have been publicly released within the official Meridian eligibility period for the current awards cycle.

Does the work need to be commercially released?

Yes. Submissions must have received a public release through streaming platforms, digital distribution, physical release, exhibition, or another publicly accessible format.

Can unreleased material be submitted?

No. Meridian does not currently accept unreleased works.

Can the same work be submitted to multiple categories?

Yes. A submission may be entered into a maximum of three categories.

Applicants should select the categories that best reflect the artistic strengths and focus of the work.

Meridian may reassign submissions where another category is considered a stronger artistic fit.

Can multiple works be submitted?

Yes. Artists or representatives may submit multiple separate works, provided each submission includes its own entry fee and supporting materials.

Are remixes, reinterpretations, or collaborative works eligible?

Yes, provided the submitter holds the appropriate rights or authorisation to submit the work.

Is AI-generated work allowed?

Meridian recognises the evolving role of technology within artistic practice. AI-assisted tools may be used during creation or production, but primary creative authorship, artistic vision, and decision-making must remain meaningfully human.

Fully AI-generated submissions without substantial human artistic authorship are not eligible.

 

Categories

Where can I view the full category criteria?

Full category descriptions, assessment criteria, scoring frameworks, and judging philosophy can be found on the Criteria page.

What is The Meridian Distinction?

The Meridian Distinction is the organisation’s highest recognition, awarded to work demonstrating extraordinary artistic achievement, originality, ambition, craftsmanship, and emotional or cultural resonance.

What is the difference between The Meridian Distinction and the other categories?

The Meridian Distinction is Meridian's highest artistic honour.

Other categories recognise specific dimensions of artistic achievement such as artistic identity, performance, visual integration, craftsmanship, cultural expression, or immersive presentation.

The Meridian Distinction considers the work as a complete artistic statement.

Which category should I choose?

Applicants should select the categories that most accurately reflect the strengths and artistic focus of the submitted work. Categories are judged according to distinct criteria and creative priorities.

A single work may be entered into up to three categories.

Meridian may reassign submissions where another category is considered a stronger artistic fit.

 

Submission Process

What materials are required?

Applicants are generally required to provide:

  • Artist and project information
  • Streaming or viewing link
  • Audio upload
  • Contributor information
  • Category selections
  • Rights confirmation

Optional supporting materials may also be included.

What audio formats are accepted?

Stereo master files in WAV format are preferred unless otherwise specified during submission.

Can I upload supporting materials?

Yes. Optional supporting materials such as artwork, visual assets, production notes, liner notes, contextual documents, or film stills may be included.

Can I edit my submission after submitting?

No. Once a submission has been finalised and paid for, it cannot be edited. Please carefully review all information before completing payment.

Will I receive confirmation after submitting?

Yes. Applicants will receive confirmation once the submission process and payment have been successfully completed.

 

Judging & Evaluation

Who judges the submissions?

Submissions are evaluated by a panel of human jurors selected for their artistic, technical, cultural, and industry expertise.

Is judging anonymous?

Initial evaluation stages may involve blind or partially anonymised review processes where appropriate, helping prioritise the work itself over reputation or visibility.

Are popularity metrics considered?

No. Streaming numbers, follower counts, chart performance, and industry status are not determining factors in Meridian evaluation.

What criteria are used in judging?

Each category uses a structured scoring framework based on factors such as:

  • Artistic identity
  • Originality
  • Craftsmanship
  • Creative vision
  • Innovation
  • Emotional resonance
  • Technical execution
  • Cultural or conceptual impact

Will I receive feedback on my submission?

No. Meridian currently operates as an awards platform rather than a feedback service.

Judging is conducted using structured assessment frameworks, but individual score sheets, comments, and deliberations are not provided.

Can a category have no winner?

Yes. Meridian reserves the right not to award a category if the jury determines that no submission reaches the required standard of distinction.

 

Fees & Payments

Is there an entry fee?

Yes. Submission fees help support jury operations, platform administration, evaluation processes, and award development.

Are submission fees refundable?

No. All submission fees are non-refundable once payment has been completed.

Does the entry fee change depending on how many categories I enter?

Yes. The first category entered carries the standard entry fee. Additional categories may be added at a reduced rate. Full pricing information is available during submission.

 

Results & Recognition

How many finalists are selected?

Most competitive categories recognise five finalists and one winner.

The Meridian Distinction may recognise a variable number of finalists at the discretion of the jury.

How are finalists and winners announced?

Finalists and winners will be announced through official Meridian channels, including the website and social media platforms.

Do finalists receive recognition?

Yes. All finalists receive official finalist certification and Meridian Finalist Status.

Being named a Meridian Finalist represents significant artistic recognition within the Meridian framework.

What do winners receive?

Category winners receive:

• Official Meridian Award Trophy
• Winner Certification
• Meridian Winner Status

Can a work win more than one category?

Yes. A single work may be recognised in multiple categories where it demonstrates exceptional achievement across multiple artistic dimensions.

Is there a winner for every category?

Each competitive category may recognise one winner. However, Meridian reserves the right to withhold an award where the required artistic standard is not achieved.

 

Rights & Ownership

Do artists retain ownership of their work?

Yes. Artists and rights holders retain full ownership of all submitted works.

Does Meridian claim any rights over submissions?

No. By submitting, applicants grant Meridian limited permission to reference and promote the work in relation to awards activities, announcements, judging, and promotional materials.

 

Contact & Support

How can I contact Meridian?

For general enquiries, partnerships, press, or submission-related questions, contact:
support@themeridianawards.com

I’m experiencing technical issues with my submission. What should I do?

Please contact support@themeridianawards.com with:

  • Your name
  • Project title
  • A description of the issue
  • Screenshots where possible

Our team will assist as quickly as possible.