Call for Entries: Bluethumb Art Prize ’18
With two weeks left to enter, the Bluethumb Art Prize ’18 has already surpassed last year’s number of entries and is off to a fantastic beginning.
In fact, the Bluethumb Art Prize ’18 is Australia’s biggest and most accessible new art prize, aiming to raise the profile of Australian artists by supporting, recognising and celebrating their incredible talent and diversity.
Donovan Christie next to his piece It’s Showtime in last year’s exhibition!
Not only has the overall prize money doubled from $10,000 to $20,000 since last year’s inaugural prize, but, in the name of diversity, new category awards of $2000 each have also been added: works on paper, works on canvas, photography, other media and people’s choice. This means that, despite the enthusiastic response from the artist community, there’s more chance of winning than there was last year.
An overall winner will also be selected from the category winners to receive a prize of $10,000.
Last year’s award winner Kirsten Sivyer receiving her cash prize of $10,000. This year, there will also be 5 category awards of $2000 each!
“Bluethumb aims to give each and every Australian artist direct access to a powerful sales avenue and a wide community of artists,” says Co-Founder and Managing Director Edward Hartley. “The Bluethumb Art Prize ’18 is an extension of that goal, not only encouraging artists to embrace the online platform but also offering another opportunity to exhibit alongside a high calibre of artists.”
If you’re an artist, all you need to do is login to your profile (or create one, if you’re not signed up already), list your entry and nominate it for the prize. You can click here to read all the eligibility requirements in full.
Entering your piece into the Bluethumb Art Prize ’18 is as easy as ticking a box!
In the words of Bluethumb artist and 2017 Archibald finalist Loribelle Spirovski, “Competitions have been described as a ‘necessary evil’ but there are some that still manage to engender a feeling of inclusiveness, fun and creativity. The Bluethumb Art Prize is one such competition. It’s free to enter (which is rare!), open to a huge community of artists and backed by people who are so supportive of their artists – this competition represents what Bluethumb is all about.”
Loribelle’s Bluethumb Art Prize entry for 2017, Memento Mori: Lost Boy.
“I’m very pleased to be part of the Bluethumb art prize and to help support a great community of Australian artists,” says CEO of Contemporary Arts Precinct Marcus Westbury, one of the twelve judges set to select the winning artworks.
In addition to Marcus, the diverse judging panel of twelve also includes the general manager of SALA festival, Penny Griggs, Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and Material Culture at the South Australian Museum, Glenn Iseger-Pilkington and LGBTIQ-focussed artist, writer and curator Jimmy Twin. For the second year in a row, curator and Real Housewife of Melbourne Gina Liano also lends the panel some dazzling star quality.
There were plenty of stunning pieces to admire at last year’s opening night!
The core team at Bluethumb will collaboratively decide on a shortlist of 100 artworks before handing over the final, excruciating choices to the judges. The winner will be announced on opening night of the exhibition, with details to be announced shortly.
Click here to read all the terms and conditions, or email help@bluethumb.com.au with any questions about the prize.
