Entries are now being sought for the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2017 – one of the most prestigious regional 2D art prizes in Australia. The Art Prize, now in its 12th year, offers a main cash prize of $25,000 sponsored by Audi Centre Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Council.
Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the Sunshine Coast Art Prize was the flagship contemporary art award for the region. “The Art Prize is an award with a growing national reputation and is highly respected by the arts industry, art collectors and the broader community,” said Cr Baberowski.
“Council’s ongoing investment in the arts, including the Art Prize, Caloundra Regional Gallery, the Regional Arts Development Fund, Horizon Festival and the establishment of the Sunshine Coast Arts Advisory Board, are providing solid avenues for growth in jobs related to cultural tourism and a more comprehensive approach to the development of our arts industry.
“This continued investment matches our vision of being a healthy, smart and creative region and has seen the Sunshine Coast Art Prize attract great sponsors and grow to become one of the nation’s leading regional art awards.”
Caloundra Regional Gallery curator Hamish Sawyer said the high-profile award was expected to attract entries from some of Australia’s best contemporary and emerging artists. “The national profile of the award is continuing to grow, as was proven by the record 625 entries received last year,” said Mr Sawyer.
“The quality of entries we received resulted in one of the most outstanding finalist exhibitions we have seen in the Art Prize’s history and I very much look forward to seeing this year’s entries.”
Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2017 finalists will be announced in May and will be showcased in an exhibition held at Caloundra Regional Gallery from 17 August to 8 October 2017.
“The winning work will be acquired into the Sunshine Coast Art Collection,” said Mr Sawyer. “This stunning collection of more than 300 works has developed in to one of regional, state and national significance and we will be showcasing a selection of works, including all previous Art Prize winners, in an exhibition at the gallery later this year.”
The Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2017 offers a prize pool of more than $30,000 in cash and prizes including:
- an acquisitive major prize of $25,000 cash sponsored by Audi Centre Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Council;
- a non-acquisitive Highly Commended prize of $5000 sponsored by the De Deyne family;
- a non-acquisitive People’s Choice prize of $2500 sponsored by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce;
- a Sunshine Coast Art Prize Residency sponsored by Montville Country Cabins and Caloundra Regional Gallery.
Entries are now open and will close at 5.00pm on Friday 31 March 2017. Entry is open to any Australian resident. For more information, including terms and conditions of entry, visit: www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for details.
Image: Sunshine Art Prize 2016 Winner, Michael Cook, Mother – Tennis, 2016 (detail), digital photograph inkjet on photo rag (supplied)