2019 Emerging Artist Award entries open today

Western Australian creatives are encouraged to submit works for the 2019 Emerging Artist Award, which offers upcoming artists and art students the opportunity to exhibit their work to the wider community and share in more than $9,000 worth of prizes.

Celebrating its 17th year, this unique award takes place in October and is one of the only arts programs delivered by a local government in Perth specifically designed for emerging artists.

Entries must be received by 4pm, Monday 9 September, 2019, are limited to one piece per artist and can be 2D, such as paintings or photography, or 3D, such as sculpture.

Awards are presented in nine categories, including the major Open Award and a City of South Perth Resident Award.

The awards (with the exception of the People’s Choice Award) will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 17 October 2019. This ceremony launches the exhibition, which is open to the public from the following day, Friday 18 October and runs until Saturday 26 October 2019. 

This year’s judging panel includes Susan Starcken - Artist/Art Collection Curator, Edith Cowan University; Jana Braddock - Artist/Gallery Curator, Heathcote Cultural Precinct, City of Melville; and Sharyn Egan - Artist.

City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty is proud of this innovative initiative that encourages artists to develop their skills early in their careers. 

“The Emerging Artist Award and Exhibition provides a real opportunity for young and developing artists to kickstart their careers and follow their passion within the arts,” Mayor Doherty said. 

“As well as the opportunity to win great prizes, artists have the chance for their work to be showcased in the exhibition and to raise their profile. 

“Previous entrants have gone on to forge careers and exhibit their works, and every year we see an exciting  new crop of local talent through these awards.” 

Emerging Artist Award Categories

$4,000 City of South Perth | Open Award

All works entered into the City of South Perth’s 2019 Emerging Artist Award are eligible to be considered for this award.

$750 Karalee on Preston | Local Theme Award

Any work depicting, in title or content, the City of South Perth’s natural or built environment, lifestyle, personalities and landmarks.

$750 Preston Street IGA | Youth Award

Works entered by secondary school students or artists up to 25 years of age at the date of entry will be eligible.

$750 Liquor Barons on Angelo | Works on Paper Award

Works on paper including prints, photography, drawings, collage and 2D mixed media works on paper.

$750 White Frame | Painting Award

Painted works in oils, acrylics, watercolour, pastels and 2D mixed media works on canvas or board.

$750 Curtin University | 3D Sculpture/Textiles Award

All three dimensional works, and creative textile-based works. 

$750 Curtin University | Aboriginal Art Award

Works entered by artists identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders will be eligible to be considered by the judges for this award.

$750 John McGrath MLA | City of South Perth Resident Award

All works entered by artists living in the City of South Perth (suburbs: South Perth, Kensington, Como, Manning, Salter Point, Karawara and Waterford). 

$500 Soco Realty | People’s Choice Award

All exhibited works are eligible for this award. This award will be presented to the work that receives the greatest number of votes from exhibition visitors by the close of the exhibition period, and will be announced via the City’s website and other channels on Monday 4 November 2019. The People’s Choice winning artwork will be reproduced and pasted up as large scale image in the undercroft carpark at Coles Supermarkets at Angelo Street, alongside previous winners.

Thank you to our Premium & Prize Sponsors

Karalee on Preston
Preston Street IGA
Liquor Barons on Angelo
White Frame
Curtin University
John McGrath MLA
SOCO Realty

Visit the 2019 Emerging Artist Awards page on the City's website for more information, terms and conditions, and to submit an entry. 

Curtin University is holding a free information session about preparing and presenting artwork for the awards exhibition on Wednesday 28 August 2019 at 12-1pm. Bookings are essential.