Thu. Dec 19th, 2024

Calling all local photographers: Galah is once again running its annual Regional Photography Prize and, with $25,000 up for grabs for the winner, it’s worth dusting the camera off and taking your best shot of your local area. 

Galah says they created the prize to “celebrate and support contemporary photography in regional Australia” and to “celebrate, support and advance the practice of regional photographers.”

The competition itself offers very broad parameters for entrants, with photographers invited to photograph just about anything that inspires them. The only real entry condition is that you live in a regional postcode.

As always, the standard will be very high, and the calibre of judges reflects this. On the judging panel, this year is Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Director Susi Muddiman, internationally acclaimed Australian photo media artist Tamara Dean, as well as Galah’s own Art Editor Fiona Bateman.

In a statement to Galah, Ms Muddiman says, “I’m looking forward to seeing what regional artists have to say; how they might choose to capture some of the important conversations that are unfolding in Australian society today.”

These judges have the enviable but incredibly difficult task of selecting just 40 finalists out of all entries. These finalists will be spread across two categories: Open and Student, which is for Grade 11 and 12 Students only.

From here they will select one winner only from each category, with the Open category prize winner receiving an incredible $25,000, and the Student prize winner receiving $2,500.

Selected finalists will also have their entries displayed at M-Arts Precinct in Murwillumbah in November 2023. The overall winners of the prize will be announced at the opening event.

Full details of the opening event are still to be finalised, but an announcement has been made that the charity partner for this year’s opening will be Country Education Foundation, a nationwide charity that aids regional communities in helping their young people access further education.

If you’re interested in throwing your hat in the ring this year and entering, there is still time. Entries for the 2023 award close at midnight on Monday the 14th of August. Entry is just $33.00, and the entire submission can be completed online.

For full terms and conditions, or to enter, visit the prize page on Galah’s website. To follow the prize and to find out more about the opening event and exhibition, follow the Galah Facebook page. 

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