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Formerly known as the Warringah Art Prize, the region’s most prestigious art competition is poised to be very different this year – it will be hosted online for the first time and be held across two categories – Open and Youth.

Prizemoney totalling $16,000 has been set aside, with 60 finalists (30 in each category) from which ten winners will be picked for each category. The ten winners in the Open category will receive $1,000 each and ten Youth category recipients will receive $500 each. $1,000 has also been allocated for the People’s Choice winner.

Artists and designers are invited to submit digital artwork in the format of a digital postcard that responds to the theme Postcards from the Home, drawing on experiences and emotions connected to home isolation during COVID-19.

The award is open to all levels of artists and designers, from hobby artists through to professionals. Council is also waiving entry fees in a bid to support our local creative community, with the online exhibition to be staged from 31 July – 30 September.

And in a coup for the 2020 Northern Beaches Art Prize, iconic Australian artist Ken Done is one of the judges alongside acclaimed local arts representatives Elli Walsh and Sarah Robson.

"I was honoured to be asked to judge the prizes,’’ Mr Done said. “I expect a lot of thoughtful artworks will come from the Northern Beaches and I am looking forward to seeing them all."

Mayor Michael Regan is anticipating a high level of entries this year.

“This Art Prize stretches back to 1955, and this year the source of inspiration will certainly be reflective of our current times,’’ he said.

“I encourage budding and established artists alike to submit their works, and I am sure the judges will have their work cut out picking the eventual finalists.”

You can submit your entries to the Northern Beaches 2020 Art Prize from 5pm Monday 18 May via Council’s website.