The Matilda Awards are a not-for-profit organisation that honour and celebrate the achievements of the Queensland theatre Industry. Instigated in 1988 by a group of Brisbane and Gold Coast theatre critics, they recognise theatre workers in south-east Queensland. Their objectives include promoting and recognising the performing arts in Queensland, which is done through an annual awards ceremony.
The awards began with the Gold Matilda for five recipients: categories could include direction, performance, stage design, lighting, and any number of technical roles in theatre. Commended nominees received the Silver Matilda between 1988 and 2003.
This bipartite structure continued throughout the early 1990s, but new categories were added from 1994 (which saw categories for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Scene and Special Award for Services to the Queensland Theatre Industry). These categories were unstable across the 1990s: Outstanding Contribution to the Local Scene, for example, was only awarded once, in 1994. After 2003, the use of Silver Matildas as commendations was replaced with sub-categories (also called Silver Matildas).
By 2004, the modern categories had settled into place, including acting awards (male and female, lead and supporting), and awards for director, designer, sound designer, and lighting designer. Best New Australian Work was added in 2006 and the awards for musicals and for mainstage and independent productions in 2007.
Sources include: https://www.matildaawards.com.au/home
