The Braidwood and Bungendore branches of Bendigo Bank are once again partnering with Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council to support one of the Southern Tablelands' premier annual art prize competitions.
With the generous financial support from the Bendigo Bank branches in Braidwood and Bungendore, the art awards have expanded into a substantial prize pool to support and promote our region's visual art talent. With a total prize pool of $25,000, this annual event has become a significant regional art award.
In the 2025 event, new award categories have been introduced, including a $3,000 Mayor's Acquisitive Heritage Art Award. This award, which must depict an aspect of the region's built or natural heritage, will be selected by the Mayor in collaboration with the Council's arts and heritage advisors. Additionally, a new $1,000 Bendigo Pick Photographic Award will be chosen by Bendigo Bank representatives. A Curator's Choice Award will offer one exhibiting artist a fully supported solo exhibition at Rusten House Art Centre's beautiful Reading Room gallery.
'Our annual art awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the incredible talents of artists in our community, and the support from our region's Bendigo Bank branches plays a vital role in making this annual award event possible' said Mayor Kenrick Winchester. 'I'm also excited to join the 2025 selection panel for the newly established Acquisitive Heritage Art Award.'
Nick Fry, the Community Engagement Manager at Bendigo Bank, expressed excitement about the bank's partnership with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. 'The Bank and its Board of Management are thrilled to collaborate with the Council for the fifth consecutive year in supporting our local talent. We are proud to have increased our investment this year. The Awards showcase the extraordinary talent our region possesses, and I encourage everyone to take the time to visit the exhibition at The Q in May and June.'
Janita Byrne, who leads the QPRC arts and heritage team and coordinates the Awards, is thrilled to bring the three new awards into the mix. The Mayor's Acquisitive Heritage Art Award will contribute to the Council's growing collection of artwork that documents our region for future generations to view and study. The Bendigo Pick Photographic Award will ensure that photography is not overlooked, while the Curator's Choice Award will help artists make significant strides in their career development and creative expression.
Janita advises all artists considering submitting their work for the awards to carefully read the guidelines and terms and conditions of entry, which will be available on the QPRC website in the new year. There have been some consolidations and changes to the prize offerings, including retiring some previous award categories to make room for larger, more valuable prizes.
Registration to enter the 2025 Annual Art Awards will be available online from March 31 to April 30, 2025. Entry is open to all artists aged 16 and over who reside in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Government Area.
Categories and Prizes for 2025
- $7,000 Council's Acquisitive Art Award
- $3,000 Mayor's Acquisitive Heritage Art Award
- $1,000 Highly Commended Heritage Art Award
- $3,000 3D Art Award
- $1,000 3D Highly Commended
- $3,000 First Nation's Award
- $1,000 First Nation's Highly Commended
- $2,000 Emerging Artist Award
- $2,000 Bendigo Pick Award
- $1,000 Bendigo Pick Photographic Award
- $1,000 Viewer's Choice Award
- Curators Choice Award – Free Rusten House Exhibition
Key dates for the 2025 Art Awards are:
| T & Cs online | 15 January |
| Registrations open | 31 March |
| Registrations close | 30 April |
| Delivery of artworks | 13 and 14 May |
| Opening event | 24 May |
| Exhibition runs | 24 May - 14 June |
| Closing event | 14 June |
