26 January 2015

Entries for Shepparton Art Museum’s 2015 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award (ACA) will open online at www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au this Friday 30 January 2015, with a $50,000 prize awarded to one of five shortlisted Australian artists.

Entries for Shepparton Art Museum's 2015 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award (ACA) will open online at https://www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/ this Friday 30 January 2015, with a $50,000 prize awarded to one of five shortlisted Australian artists.

Director Kirsten Paisley stated:

"We are grateful to the Sidney Myer Fund who have significantly increased their support for the Award, and enabled the SMFACA to develop into an incredible opportunity for Australian artists. With $50,000 in prize money, the SMFACA cements its place as the premier Australian acquisitive ceramic art award. Following on from the successful 2012 Award which featured outstanding exhibitions by Kirsten Coelho, Alexandra Standen and Michal Fargo, the SMFACA continues to be at the leading edge of presenting contemporary ceramic practice."

With the hindsight of hosting ten international awards in its previous guise, the Art Museum has made a number of significant changes. These changes are intended to provide better career development opportunities for Australian artists, more strategic collecting for the Art Museum, and a greater depth to the exhibition for visitors and associated publishing.

There will be five recipients of the Award, each of whom will receive a $2,000 stipend to produce a body of work for exhibition. Costs associated with the exhibition will be borne by the Art Museum, including freight and the production of a fully illustrated catalogue. The Art Museum will also pay airfares and accommodation for recipient artists to attend the opening event and present at the associated seminar weekend on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2015. Moreover artists will work with the support of curatorial staff at SAM throughout the planning of their exhibitions.

There will be four months between the announcement of award recipients and the delivery of works to SAM. One of the five shortlisted artists will be awarded a $50,000 acquisitive cash prize, and their work will enter the SAM collection. The prize winning work, and any other special acquisitions to the SAM collection, will be announced at the official opening on Saturday 22 August 2015.

The Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award has offered Australian audiences the opportunity to view the best contemporary ceramic art for over 10 years. The supporting seminar and master-class workshops provide a unique platform for cross-cultural learning and exchange.

IMPORTANT DATES
Applications open Friday 30 January 2015
Applications close Friday 20 March 2015, 4pm EST
Artists advised of selection Friday 3 April 2015 (4 months to installation)
Exhibition Opening, prize announcement Saturday 22 August 2015
Seminar and workshops Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August 2015
Exhibition Dates Saturday 22 August to Sunday 22 November 2015
Artworks dispatched for return to artists December 2015

For further information on how to apply, full terms and conditions and a history of the Award, please click here. All applications for the Award are to be completed online by Friday 20 March 2015, 4pm EST.

Shepparton Art Museum is a Greater Shepparton City Council facility. The 2015 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award is presented with thanks to the following sponsors:

Sidney Myer Fund, Arts Victoria and Greater Shepparton City Council.