Entries for the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize are now open.
Now in its 24th year, the Blacktown City Art Prize is a highly valued art prize, with cash prizes of $20,000 and acquisitive awards. Local, regional and national artists are invited to submit entries in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media.
The winner of the Blacktown City Art Prize will receive $15,000. Three supporting prizes will also be awarded:
- Aboriginal Artist Prize ($2,000)
- Local Artist Prize ($2,000)
- People’s Choice Prize ($1,000).
The winners of the Local Artist and Aboriginal Artist prizes will have the opportunity to undertake a 2-month residency in one of Blacktown Arts’ Main Street studios.
‘The addition of a studio residency to the prize pool is an exciting opportunity for artists who want to engage with people or places in Blacktown,’ said Mayor of Blacktown City, Stephen Bali MP. ‘In 2015, Alexandra Byrne created Lucas Road at night (outside my place) during an artist residency at Blacktown Arts’ Main Street studios. This striking work went on to win the Local Artist Prize later that year.’
Mayor of Blacktown City, Stephen Bali MP also stated ‘The Blacktown City Art Prize has continued to be a significant cultural event in Blacktown for over two decades. The event reveals and promotes the extensive breadth and depth of artistic talent national, as well as in the Blacktown area. The Blacktown City Art Prize exemplifies Council’s ongoing commitment to art and culture, and its integral role in the life and community of our city.’
“The pride we get when we see it all come together as one work of art is encouraging; the enjoyment we get as a mob is very uplifting,” said the Bankstown Koori Elders Group representative, who won the Aboriginal Artist Prize in 2016 and the 2018 Blacktown City Art Prize in 2018. “For us to gather together to create art is wonderful and inspirational.”
The Blacktown City Art Prize also celebrates the creativity of local young people through an environmentally-themed Young Artists Prize. This section is open to 5 – 15 year olds who live or go to school in the Blacktown Local Government Area. The theme of the Young Artist Prize for 2019 is Repair & Restore, asking young artists to respond to:
Countries around the world have declared that climate change is a real emergency. As our climate becomes hotter, what positive things can we do to cool our homes, cities and natural environments?
Selected works will be exhibited at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre from Saturday 30 November 2019 – Saturday 25 January 2020.
Entries close at 5 pm on Tuesday 8 October 2019.
2019 Blacktown City Art Prize Terms and Conditions
2019 BCAP Frequently Asked Questions
The 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize is proudly supported by Ford Land Company, Westlink M7, Blacktown Workers Club and Blacktown City Council’s Environmental Services.
For all enquiries, call 9839 6558 or email artscentre@blacktown.nsw.gov.au
KEY DATES
- Entries close | 5pm on Tuesday 8 October 2019
- Announcement of finalists | Monday 28 October 2019
- Official opening | 2 pm – 4 pm on Saturday 30 November 2019
- Exhibition dates | Saturday 30 November 2019 – Saturday 25 January 2020
Image: Fozia Zahid, Country Out of the Man, 2018. Winner of the Local Artist Prize in the 2018 Blacktown City Art Prize.