Entries for the Noosa Art Award 2014 are now open

Entries are currently being sought for the Noosa Art Award. Presented by Noosa Council's Noosa Regional Gallery, the prize is a national, acquisitive contemporary (and compact) art award that is open to Australian artists and designers practicing in any 2D or 3D medium, that reflect the unique character of modern Australia's coastal and hinterland environments, both urban and natural.

A total prize pool of $12,000 is on offer to contemporary artists and designers. A selection of finalists will be chosen from the entries and will be presented in an exhibition at the Noosa Regional Gallery from 28 August to 5 October, 2014, with the Gala opening and announcement of the winners on Friday 29 August at 6pm.

The national winner will receive a $7000 award and their work acquired in to the Noosa Council art collection, along with two Regional Artist category winners who will be awarded $1500 each. Once again, the Friends of Noosa Regional Gallery will offer the ever-popular People's Choice award of $1000, along with two Emerging Artist category awards of $500 each for tertiary level students working in 2D and 3D.

Noosa Regional Gallery director, Nina Shadforth said the Noosa Art Award attracts national attention and aims to create a national platform for the artistic pursuits of practicing artists and designers in the Noosa, Gympie and wider Sunshine Coast communities, as well as those from around the country.

"The national Noosa Art Award is also offering opportunities for local businesses to get involved and partner with the Gallery to build on the award as well as the upcoming associated gala event and exhibition programs later this year," Ms Shadforth said.

"Additionally, the vision for the award is not only to build on an existing small collection, but to create a unique cultural drawcard for Noosa – renowned nationally for its cultural activities – that enhances cultural tourism and making it an accessible and desirable collection for visitors to Noosa.

For further information and applications for the 2014 Noosa Art Award, please contact the gallery on 07 5329 6145, or visit council's website.

Entries close, Sunday 15 June, 2014.

5 May 2014