This is the 16th year of the award and we received a record 735 entries from which the 42 finalists were selected. The external judges were Professor Emeritus Barbara van Ernst, AM (PhD, M Ed La Trobe, BA, B Ed Monash) – arts educator collector, Dan Wollmering (PhD Deakin, MA RMIT, BA St John's Mn.) Sculptor, with Leanne Willis, Senior Manager Art Collection and Galleries representing Deakin. Full judge biographies will be available on our website in the coming weeks.
The exhibition will open to the public on Thursday 28 August at the Deakin University Art Gallery and the launch and announcement of winners will take place 6 pm on Wednesday 3 September. One winner will be selected for the $15,000 acquisitive first prize and a second work will receive the $3,000 non-acquisitive Highly Commended prize (supported by UniSuper).
Again, congratulations to all finalists on your selection.
July 11, 2025
