Boox Kid has been chosen by a panel of industry professionals to be the recipient of the Limelight music support fund package valued at over $25,000.
This year the judging panel included RAC Arena's Michael Scott, WAM's chief executive Owen Whittle, RTRFM producer and presenter Pamela Boland, Mark Neal from music label Blue Grey Pink, and The West Australian PLAY magazine editor Belle Taylor.
Launched to mark the Arena's 10th anniversary in 2022, Limelight - presented by RAC Arena and supported by WAM - seeks to put the spotlight on emerging West Australian musicians by providing financial, performance and promotion opportunities over a 12-month period.
WA based performers 18 years or older, are invited annually to apply by outlining the activities they hoped to pursue during the prize period, how they intended to use the support funding, and the career outcomes they expected to achieve as a result.
Joining Boox Kid as this year's runner ups is indie rock outfit, Ghost Care, and pop/R&B/soul artist, Elianie, who will both receive support packages valued at $3000 each.
As the winner of the main prize, Boox Kid will receive support for 12 months beginning January 1. The package includes a $5,000 financial assistance thanks to RAC Arena, a live performance at Telethon 2026, radio campaign thanks to Nova Entertainment, music equipment thanks to Mega Music and Yamaha, recording studio time and rehearsal space thanks to Vision Studios, inclusion in the 2026 WAM Showcase line-up, and a weekend pass to WAMCon 2026 thanks to West Australian Music.
Boox Kid will also receive promotional support via RAC Arena's marketing channels and PR support.
"I'm so excited and grateful to be the recipient of this year's Limelight grant, which will go toward completing my second EP, written in Noongar language," he said.
"I am extremely proud of my Noongar heritage and appreciative of this opportunity and RAC Arena's support.
"This project is about the strength of culture and preservation of language and to have that backed by RAC Arena and WAM is special. Thank you to those supporting me, our old people for their wisdom and congratulations to the two runner up recipients as well."
RAC Arena's general manager Michael Scott said he was impressed with this years quality of applications.
"I was once again blown away by the quality of applications we received and was immensely impressed with all the talent we have in our own backyard," he said.
"The main aim of this initiative is to find the next big arena act right here in WA, and there was no shortage of gifted people to choose from.
"We are thrilled to announce Boox Kid as the major prize recipient for this year's Limelight initiative and can't wait for the release of his new music incorporating Noongar language. Congratulations also to Ghost Care and Elianie on receiving our runner up packages. They all have bright futures ahead and we can't wait to play our small part in helping progress their musical careers."
Speaking on behalf of WAM, chief executive and Limelight judge Owen Whittle said the winners are all well-developed local artists.
"Limelight has again shown the exceptional musical talent that our state has," he said.
"Selected from the many deserving applicants, the winners are well developed local artists who we look forward to partnering with alongside RAC Arena to highlight to the West Australian public and beyond."
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