The ILT Southland Art Awards are open for entries, with $20,000 in prize money on the table for visual artists from across New Zealand.
Now in their third year, the awards are a collaboration between the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Art Society. The top prize — the Supreme Award — is worth $8000. Other categories include a Rangatahi Award for a young artist, the People's Choice Award, and the Beattie McDowell Southland Award for a local artist.
Transitional gallery manager Sarah Brown said the awards were open to any medium. "The ILT Murihiku Art Awards are an opportunity for contemporary artists working throughout the motu to connect with and be inspired by their peers. Art comes in so many forms. The awards are open to all visual artists, no matter what medium their artistic expression takes — whether that is in printmaking, digital or video-based, jewellery design, sculpture, or more," she said.
Brown also acknowledged the role of sponsors in making the prize pool possible. "Artists dedicate so much of their time, energy, and themselves into their work. We are incredibly grateful for the meaningful generosity of our sponsors, the ILT and Beattie McDowell Architects, which means these awards can support the winning artists with a significant prize pool. This helps to ensure those working within the sector can continue to inspire our community, and add to the cultural vibrancy of New Zealand."
Artists can submit up to two original works, completed within the last 12 months and not previously exhibited in Southland. The entry deadline is 5pm on August 21.
Last year the competition drew 155 entries, with 67 works across seven categories selected as finalists — a decent showing for a relatively young awards programme. This year's judging panel has not yet been announced.
Winners will be revealed at an event at the Invercargill gallery on October 2. An exhibition of finalist works runs from October 3 until November 15.