Main Prize
The Lester Prize is one of the country’s premier art prizes—an award that places artists and community proudly front-and-centre. Our prize is about the advancement of the artists, not the celebrity of the sitters—it always has been and always will be.
The Prize pool consists of:
The Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture (selected by a panel of judges; non-acquisitive) | $50,000 cash
Tony Fini Foundation Artist Prize (selected by artists’ peers; non-acquisitive) | $15,000 cash
Minderoo Foundation Spirit Prize (selected by Minderoo Foundation; non-acquisitive) | $10,000 cash
Baldock Family People’s Choice Prize (selected by the general public) | $10,000 cash
Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize (selected by a panel of judges; non-acquisitive) | $5,000 cash
Highly Commended x 2 (selected by a panel of judges) | $2,000 cash, $550 domestic art transport voucher, $500 framing voucher plus $250 art supplies voucher each
Call for Entries: 27 March — 5 July 2021
Entry Fee: A$45.00 (inclusive of GST) per portrait.
Youth Prize
The Lester Prize Youth Award encourages the creative talents of young and aspiring artists. It is open to all High School students across Australia.
The Prize allows entrants to showcase their works and present their unique artistic perspectives; helps build their confidence to further their art practice; and allows them to share their stories with the wider community.
The Prize pool consists of:
HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY
Prizes for Students (Years 11-12, Years 9-10, Years 7-8) | Cash prizes, art supplies & framing valued at $2,600
Prizes for Schools (Years 10-12, Years 7-9) | Professional art workshops by Lester Prize Adult Finalists valued at $1,500
Call for Entries: 27 March — 16 July 2021
Entry Fee: A$15.00 (inclusive of GST) per portrait.