Melbourne Festival – Emerging Artist Award

CALL FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

Melbourne Festival, one of the biggest art festivals in the East Midlands would like to invite young artists to take part in their Emerging Artist Competition.

The award was launched in 2014 as a way of encouraging young artists to exhibit their work in our Festival and to reward the winners with a generous prize, recognition and on-going support for their art practice.

It is targeted at artists aged 17 to 25 (or within 5 years of graduation) who are studying, working or living in the region and pursuing a career in or studying Art.

PRIZES: The First Prize is £500. There is a Runner Up Award of £250 and a “Peoples Choice” Award of £50 art vouchers. The Winner will also have a place on the 2022 Art & Architecture Trail and mentoring from a local Gallery and an experienced professional Artist.

WHO CAN ENTER? Artists who live, work or study in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire and meet the age criteria of being over 17 and under 25 on 31 August 2021, or are within 5 years of their graduation date. We are collaborating with Derby College & Burton College and will shortlist up to 5 entries per college.

THE BRIEF: This year the theme is “COMMUNITY”. It is only intended as a starting point and applicants are encouraged to interpret the brief as they wish. We are looking for personal and creative outcomes. Independent judges will assess the artwork on originality, imaginative interpretation of the brief, technical ability and the quality of the work. Your work should be innovative and engaging. Examples of previous year’s entries can be viewed on our website. The work must be created for this competition and must not have been entered previously in any other competitions or public exhibitions. Students can use work from their current art practice – e.g. Degree Show, provided they can show the work is original and describe how it matches the theme.

HOW TO APPLY…
CLOSING DATE: Submit by email 3-4 images of current work (jpgs max 1mb each) with your ideas for the competition (max 100 words + sketches) and a CV with FULL contact details by 30th April.
SHORTLIST: The Judges will shortlist up to 20 proposals and notify ALL artists by 14th May.
COMPLETION: Shortlisted artists must complete work by 31st August ready for delivery.
EXHIBITION: The exhibition will be on 18th & 19th September and The Judges will review the finished pieces by Friday 17th September. The Prize will be presented on Saturday 18th September. All entrants exhibiting are expected to attend.

CONDITIONS – WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. All work must meet these conditions: It must be 2 dimensional and ready for wall hanging, framed and strung if required, a maximum of 2 metres in any dimension. Medium – paint, pastel, pencil, textile, printmaking, photography or mixed media. Work must be original, safe for hanging, meet health and safety requirements and not be offensive.

To enter or for more details email… emerging-artists-melbourne@outlook.com or visit www.melbournefestival.co.uk