Maidstone Young Artist Award 2024
Wed 8th Feb 2023 to Fri 24th Nov 2023 - All Day
***We are now pleased to be able to offer assistance towards the cost of entry fee and/or materials from The Arts Society Mid Kent. If you would like to apply for this funding opportunity, please complete the form below and return to the email or address stated on there. Deadline for funding applications is 31st October 2023.***
This exciting bi-annual award is open to all young artists, up to 25 years old, living in the South East of England.
Our aim is to give young artists the chance to win the prestigious Maidstone Young Artist Award and a platform to exhibit their artworks within the County Town’s museum, in the temporary exhibition galleries.
The theme for the competition is ‘Metamorphosis (Changes)’. This can be interpreted in any way that you wish, but please note that we cannot accept any photography or digital media.
**Deadline for entries is Friday 24 November 2023**
Entrants must be 14 years and under or 15 – 25 years old on 1 September 2023 for consideration in those categories.
Follow us on Instagram @Maidstoneyaa and look for inspiration at #MYAAChanges and add your own ideas. Spread the word!
Prizes
15-25 years old:
1st Prize £250
Runner up £100
14 years old and under:
1st Prize £250
Runner up £100
The Visitors’ Vote
Visitors to the exhibition are given the chance to vote for their favourite artwork. The piece with the most votes wins ‘The Visitors’ Vote’.
The winning artist will have the opportunity to exhibit their artworks at the museum during 2024/25.
2022 Award Winners
15-25: ‘Spiritus Invictus’ 14 and under: ‘Magic Fruit’
by Maria Simonova by Isabel Zheung
2022 Runners-up
15-25: ‘The Observing Bluetit’ 14 and under: ‘Hare with Carrot’
by Madeleine Brassington by James Thomas
2022 Visitors’ Vote Winner
‘Giraffe’ by Finley Johnson
Why take part?
As well as a significant cash prize, the competition is a unique opportunity in Kent to exhibit work within the County Town’s Museum exhibition galleries. The winner of the 15-25 years category will also be invited to sit on the judging panel for the 2026 Awards.
The Maidstone Young Artist Award is supported by Maidstone Museums’ Foundation
How do I enter?
The competition is open to artists who are 25 years of age or under on 1 January 2024. The cost of entry is £10 per artwork. Artists are welcome to submit up to three works for consideration for inclusion in the exhibition.
Click here to pay for entry
(please note ticket sales are via the Hazlitt Theatre ticket office)
Download an entry form from the bottom of this page.
You will need to accompany your entry with a full colour image (Jpeg or Tiff), a 100 word description of the artwork, with an explanation of how your work represents the ‘Metamorphosis (Changes)’ and payment (see below). An acknowledgement of all submissions will be sent via email.
The selection panel will meet in November 2023 to draw up a shortlist of artworks for display in the exhibition and the team of judges will select and announce the winners at a special preview evening.