Emerging Artists Award 2024

Melbourne Festival’s Emerging Artist Award was set up in 2014 to encourage younger artists to be part of the Festival by providing them with an opportunity to exhibit work and to benefit from a generous award. The exhibition has become an integral part of the annual Festival, and over the past ten years we have given out £7500 in prize money, as well as helping young artists develop their creative practice leading to a career in the Creative Industry.

The Award has also been a platform to develop our “Spaces to Create” project in which a number of artists have joined a programme aiming to help them become self-sustaining creatives.

We are very proud of the number of previous entrants who have gone on to develop careers in Art and who have exhibited as artists on the Art & Architecture Trail. The competition is aimed at those who have already chosen to study or who have recently graduated in a creative discipline.

We look forward to seeing new and imaginative work every year, and enabling the public to visit the exhibition to see the creativity of young artists.

Call for Artists for the 2024 Emerging Artist Award
This years theme is “PROGRESS”

If you are involved in art or a creative discipline and aged 17 to 25 (or within 3 years of graduation) living, working or studying in the East Midlands, you are eligible to enter the competition.

The entry process is simple. You complete an application form describing your idea, send us some photos of previous work by the end of April 2024. We will shortlist around 20 of the applicants who will be invited to complete their work by the end of August 2024. We then compile a brochure and set up the exhibition ready for judging and for public viewing. The awards are presented on the Festival Saturday (14 September) and the public are invited to visit and can vote for a “People’s Choice” award, announced after the exhibition has closed.

PRIZES: A first prize of £500 is awarded to the winner, as decided by 3 independent expert judges; there is also a £250 runner-up prize and one or two pieces may be commended by the judges. The competition winner will also benefit from a year being mentored by a local artist in a relevant discipline, and will be entitled to a place on the 2025 Festival Trail.

Entrants are also able, if they wish, to spend time at the exhibition and to sell small items, e.g. gift cards, and engage with visitors. The work can also be offered for sale, with all of the proceeds going to the artist.

If you have questions or want further clarification drop us an email at info@melbournefestival.co.uk

VIEW GALLERY OF PREVIOUS ENTRIES BELOW