The Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) has announced three new prizes for budding and professional photographers to submit to in the lead-up to the bi-annual month of photography from 19 August 2017. The biennale is also accepting entries for the ever-important Fringe Program.
The Martin Kantor Portrait Prize, includes a $15,000 cash first prize and will be awarded to the work judged to be an exceptional photographic portrait of a significant Australian. Supported by the Dara Foundation, the acquisitive first prize is named in memory of the late Martin Kantor, a photographer and philanthropist who was known for his arresting portraits of famous musicians and artists such as Iggy Pop and Howard Arkley, as well as for his strong and active support of indigenous and environmental causes.
The selection will be made by a professional panel of judges: Leonard Vary (CEO, Myer Foundation), Isobel Crombie (Assistant Director, NGV) and Naomi Cass (Director, Centre for Contemporary Photography).
Registrations are now open for the Fringe Program, which will again award a prize for the best fringe exhibition. This prize, worth $6000, is supported by Designscope and recognises the value of the Fringe Program. Located in some of the most beautiful and historic buildings in central Ballarat, the Fringe Program allows audiences to walk the streets exploring art, history and culture all at once. This provides emerging and established photographers with a new and diverse audience.
BIFB welcomes for the first time the Athletic Club Brewery Ballarat Icons Prize – another exciting new prize up for grabs at the Biennale. In partnership with Athletic Club Brewery, this photography prize focuses on the iconic people and landscapes in and around Ballarat.
This event will lead to an exhibition of the shortlisted photographer at the Athletic Club Brewery in Ballarat as part of the Biennale Fringe program and the three winning images will be featured on the labels of beer bottles for the duration of the Biennale.
The 2017 Ballarat International Foto Biennale runs 19 August to 17 September. For more information, visit: www.ballaratfoto.org for details.
Image: Martin Kantor, circa early 1980’s (photographer unknown) – courtesy of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale