3 January 2018

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to announce applications will open for its 2018 Indigenous Ceramic Award (ICA) from Monday 15 January to 5 March.

As a $20,000 acquisitive prize, the 2018 ICA is open to Indigenous groups and individual artists to propose an exhibition concept to be realised at SAM. Eight shortlisted groups or artists will be supported with an exhibition development fee of $2,200 each to produce new work from March to July. The exhibition will be presented at SAM from 25 August to 11 November 2018.

The Award will be judged by Stephen Gilchrist, Associate Lecturer of Indigenous Art at the University of Sydney; Genevieve Grieves, freelance curator, educator and consultant; and Dr Rebecca Coates, Director of SAM, and announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday 25 August 2018.

The 2018 ICA is the sixth in the series of this biennial Award, showcasing new and exciting developments in the field. It contributes to the Art Museum’s significant holdings of Indigenous ceramic art, and provides cultural exchange opportunities for Indigenous artists from around Australia and within regional Victoria.

The ICA was established under the patronage of acclaimed artist Dr Gloria Thanakupi Fletcher in 2007. As the Award is increasingly recognised as one of Australia’s significant Indigenous cultural opportunities, there has been increasing interest and participation in the Award from solo artists and collectives in both remote communities and urban centres since its first iteration.

SAM Director, Dr Rebecca Coates, commented:

‘SAM is delighted to again be presenting our significant national Award that explores and celebrates Australia’s First Nation’s histories (past, present and still to be written). With each edition, we continue to be inspired and delighted by the outstanding works that extend our understanding of Australia’s First People. The ICA is also a means of supporting cultural and professional development programs that engage and inspire Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences in new and exciting ways.’

Major Partners of the 2018 ICA include Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation and Mr Allan Myers AO QC.

Important Dates:

Applications open	Monday 15 January 2018
Applications close	Monday 5 March 2018
Artists advised of selection	Tuesday 13 March 2018
Due date for delivery of artworks to SAM	Monday 23 July 2018
Announcement and official opening	Saturday 25 August 2018
Exhibition dates	25 August to 11 November 2018

For further information on how to apply, full terms and conditions, please visit https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/indigenous-ceramic-award. All expressions of interest for the Award are to be submitted online, or via post, and received by 5 March 2018, 5pm (Eastern Daylight Savings Time).

Judge Biographies

Stephen Gilchrist: Belonging to the Yamatji people of the Inggarda language group of northwest Western Australia, Stephen Gilchrist is Associate Lecturer of Indigenous Art at the University of Sydney. He is a lecturer, writer and curator who has worked with the Indigenous Australian collections of the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria. He has held Curatorial Fellowships at the British Museum, the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College and Harvard Art Museums, Harvard University.

Genevieve Grieves: is a Worimi woman- traditionally from mid north coast New South Wales – who has lived in Narrm (Melbourne) for many years. She is an Indigenous artist, researcher, educator, curator, film-maker and oral historian who has accumulated nearly 20 years experience across the arts, culture and education sectors. Genevieve has consistently won recognition and awards for the variety of projects she has undertaken throughout her diverse career including online documentaries, film, art and exhibitions.

Dr Rebecca Coates: is the director of Shepparton Art Museum, and a Board member of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria. She is an established curator, writer and lecturer, with over 20 years professional art museum and gallery experience in both Australia and overseas. Prior to her current role, she was a Lecturer at the University of Melbourne in Art History and Art Curatorship. Rebecca has a PhD in Art History. She is an Honorary Fellow of the School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne.

ENDS

For further information, print quality images of past Award winners, or to arrange interviews with SAM staff, please contact SAM Marketing Co-ordinators Sarah Werkmeister or Amina Barolli on (03) 5832 9522 or email sarah.werkmeister@shepparton.vic.gov.au or amina.barolli@shepparton.vic.gov.au.