Prize competition open to emerging young artists
THERE is still time for young artists from across the Midlands region to participate in an Emerging Artist Competition, run by Melbourne Festival.
This is an annual award which culminates in a gallery exhibition as part of the festival, based in South Derbyshire. The first prize is a cash award of £500 plus a year of mentoring with a local artist and the opportunity for a free place on the 2022 Festival Trail.
There is a second prize of £250 and a Peoples Choice Award of £50 art vouchers.
The competition is open to any young artists who live, work or study in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or Staffordshire and meet the age criteria of being over 17 and under 25 on August 31, 2021, or within five years of their graduation date.
The theme for this year’s competition is “Community” and artists are invited to interpret that idea in an imaginative way. The only restrictions are that the artwork must be two-dimensional, ready for wall hanging, and maximum of two metres in any dimension. Virtually any medium is permissible, and previous winners have included photography and textiles.
The competition aims to give young artists a platform to exhibit their work, often for the first time to the public, as well as a confidence lift to continue with their art practice. Plus, the cash award comes in handy!
More details, including how to apply are on the website www. melbournefestival.co.uk or by emailing emerging-artistsmelbourne@outlook.com.
The closing date is April 31.