Art Prize 2020 goes digital and draws inspiration from COVID-19

When the Northern Beaches Art Prize (formerly Warringah Art Prize) started in 1955 it would have been unimaginable that such a competition could be hosted online. 

Yet, speaking to our current times of social isolation and finding new and engaging ways of experiencing life, the prestigious Northern Beaches art competition is embracing the online world in every way.   

This year, art prize entries and the exhibition itself will be managed online via Council’s website, providing easy access for both artists and the broader community to experience the awards. 

The 2020 art prize invites artists and designers to submit digital artwork in the format of a digital postcard that responds to the theme Postcards from the Home, drawing on experiences and emotions connected to home isolation during COVID-19. Works can be across any art practice that is then photographed and submitted as a simple postcard. 

The exhibition will include 60 chosen artworks, across the Open and Youth categories, providing a snapshot of what 'home' means in the year 2020. Being online means that art lovers can also enjoy the exhibition from the comfort of their own home.  

This year we are sharing the $16,000 prize pool with more artists too. From the 60 artwork selected as finalists, our judges will award 10 from each category. Winning artworks will be made available as printed postcards for sale through the Manly Art Gallery & Museum.  

Judging this year’s competition is Deputy Editor of Artist Profile magazine and curator at 3.33 Art Projects Elli Walsh, award-winning cross-disciplinary artist Sarah Robson and one of Australia’s most recognised artist Ken Done.  

The award is open to all level of artists and designers, from hobbyists to professionals. And better still to support our local creative community we are waiving entry fees.

Original artwork may be created using any media and at any scale, which will then be photographed in landscape/horizontal and submitted. Each artist may enter up to two artworks each. As our pre-selection curators and judges will be viewing artworks on screen, it's important image quality meets the criteria (see the Toolkit for tips).

The competition opens Monday 18 May, 5pm with submissions closing Sunday 28 June, 5pm.

The exhibition will run from 31 July to 30 September, with the People’s Choice Award announced on Wednesday 16 September. 

View the toolkit and criteria