The 2009 Fine Arts & Artisan Awards event kicks off 12 noon tomorrow at Events NSW, The Rocks.

The Australian music industry is gearing up for the first component of this year's ARIA Awards, with the 2009 ARIA Artisan and Fine Arts Awards set to take place as a combined event for the first time on Tuesday 10 November at Events NSW in Sydney's iconic The Rocks.

The Artisan and Fine Arts Awards will comprise four awards under each bracket, with a total of eight awards to be presented on the day. Exceptional achievements in Australian Production, Engineering, Videography and Graphic Design are recognized by the Artisan Awards, while the Fine Arts Awards celebrate the best homegrown Jazz, Classical, World Music and Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show albums of the year.

This year the Fine Arts Awards will see favorite Australian songstresses Kate Ceberano and Katie Noonan (pictured) battle it out in the category of BEST JAZZ ALBUM, with the soundtracks of ABC series East Of Everything and acclaimed films Balibo and Samson & Delilah all nominated for BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK/CAST/SHOW ALBUM.

ARIA is thrilled to announce leading Australian personalities Gyton Grantley and Kate Ritchie (pictured) as the hosts for this year's 23rd annual ARIA Awards ceremony, set to take place on Thursday 26 November at Acer Arena in Sydney.

Both avid music lovers, Gyton and Kate will appear onstage together for the first time to present Australia's premier music event, which will feature highly anticipated performances from Empire Of The Sun, The Temper Trap, Keith Urban and international superstar Robbie Williams among many others.

Recent AFI and Logie winner, Gyton Grantley has established himself as one of Australia's pre-eminent acting talents via high profile roles in the original Underbelly TV series, The Comedy Channel’s 30 Seconds, and the recent cinema release Balibo.

Kate Ritchie, long-established as one of Australia's most loved TV personalities, is well ensconced in her Nova 969 radio co-hosting role, keeping the boys company on Nova 969's breakfast show, Merrick & Rosso & Kate Ritchie.

Presenters for this year's Awards ceremony will be revealed over the coming weeks, adding to what already promises to be a spectacular and unique event that will be staged 'In the Round' for the first time.

The 2009 ARIA Awards will be the telecast on the Nine Network from 8.30 on the evening of Thursday, 26 November, followed by an encore screening on MTV on Friday, 27 November at 5.30pm. General public tickets to attend the 2009 ARIA Awards are still available via Ticketek or phone 132 849.

ARIA is thrilled to announce the final Australian performer at the 23rd annual ARIA Awards, with the inclusion of The Temper Trap into the lineup of live music performances. This finalises what is set to be an extraordinary night of entertainment when the Australian music industry's favourite event rolls around on Thursday 26 November at Acer Arena.

In a massive coup for organisers, The Temper Trap, who relocated to the UK in April this year, have confirmed that they’ll take a break from their UK and European tour to return home for their first performance on Australian soil since the release of their debut album Conditions. The Melbourne indie four-piece have taken the world by storm since the release of Conditions with the album to date reaching #9 in Australia and #26 in the UK. Their single Sweet Disposition has had a massive impact in the UK, shooting up the Radio 1 playlist to become their #2 most played song, ensuring Sweet Disposition a #6 spot on the singles chart and sales in excess of 160,000 units.

The Temper Trap step up to the plate at their first ARIA Awards with an impressive four nominations in the categories of BEST ROCK ALBUM, BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – ALBUM, SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Sweet Disposition) and the coveted ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

The Temper Trap will share the stage with a stellar lineup of homegrown artists including Keith Urban, Jessica Mauboy, Hilltop Hoods, Empire Of The Sun, Sarah Blasko, Lisa Mitchell, Kate Miller-Heidke, Ladyhawke and international pop icon Robbie Williams, who will perform his new single Bodies.