Grafton Regional Gallery calling for entries North Coast Indigenous art award

Entries have opened for a $6,000 award that promotes contemporary Indigenous art across the North Coast.

The biennial Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award (CVIAA) is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who reside in Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbayngirr. The CVIAA is made possible with the support of the Yulgilbar Foundation and the Clarence Valley Council.

Mayor Richie Williamson said the award supports the Indigenous arts and culture in our region as well developing the collection of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art held by the Grafton Regional Gallery.

“The award is being launched as part of 2015 Naidoc Week,” Cr Williamson said. “The prize pool of $6,000 comprises the Open Acquisitive Prize of $5000 and an encouragement prize of $1000 for New Media work. The artwork which takes out the Open Acquisitive Prize is acquired into the Grafton Regional Gallery Collection.”

Artists are invited to submit up to two artworks created in 2014 or 2015 that are within the given size limits. Artists can drop off their entries to Grafton Regional Gallery or one of the neighbouring galleries at Lismore, Murwillumbah, Coffs Harbour or Ballina. Entry forms with full details are available from the Grafton Regional Gallery or at the website at graftongallery.nsw.gov.au

The judge for the 2015 CVIAA is Emily McDaniel, the assistant curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Emily will judge all entries to the award. The exhibition of the entries will continue to 6 December. 

Image: Winner of 2013 CVIAA David Miller Spirits of Ullagundahi (detail) 2013