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The Mission to Seafarers
NEWCASTLE MARITIME ART PRIZE

Connecting Communities, Port and People


Exhibition Opening Night
6pm, Friday 21st June 2024


Exhibition Public Viewing
22 – 30 June 2024  10am-4pm each day

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Background Image: People’s Choice Award Winner 2023 – “Looking Ahead” by Priya Joy

2024 Theme

Navigating the Future

Vision

After the wonderful success of the 2023 exhibition, we continue to have the vision to provide an opportunity to showcase Newcastle’s interaction with the maritime industry, highlight the importance of the Port of Newcastle to our city, and raise awareness of the role of Seafarers. We have planned the exhibition around The International Day of the Seafarer, 25 June and its theme: Navigating the Future. 

$10,800
Total Prize Money

Proudly sponsored by

Port of Newcastle
Port Authority New South Wales

The exhibition will be held at The Mission to Seafarers Newcastle: 96 Hannell Street, Wickham, 2293

CATEGORIES:

The Newcastle Maritime Art Prize has six categories, supporting eight awards. 

Please submit your entries early as we will only be accepting a total of 200 entries for categories 1-3.

Best in Show $5000 Acquisitive Prize
People’s Choice $1000 Prize

CAT 1: $1500 Newcastle MTS Open Award

CAT 2 :$1000 Indigenous Artist Award 

CAT 3: $1000 Seafarer / Port Worker Artist Award 

CAT 4: $500 High School Students Artists Award

CAT 5: $500 Primary School Students Class / School Artist Award

 CAT 6: $100 Primary School Student Artist Award (Three $100 vouchers will be awarded to three students)

Dates

Exhibition Dates

Exhibition Opening Night
6pm, Friday 21st June 2024

Exhibition Public Viewing
22 – 30 June 2024
10am-4pm each day

Artist Dates

Entries Open
January 15th 2024 to 5pm June 3rd 2024

Delivery dates
Mon 17th – Wed 19th June
9:00am – 4:30pm

Collection dates
Sunday 30 June 2024 4pm to 6pm
Monday 1st July 2024 9am to 5pm

CATEGORIES

The Newcastle Mission to Seafarers (MTS) Maritime Art Prize has six (6) categories, supporting the following eight (8) awards and ten (10) prizes. The Best in Show prize of $5,000 is acquisitive and the winning Artwork will become the property of the Port of Newcastle. The remaining prizes are not acquisitive.

You can only enter once, in one category (unless you are a NSW Primary School submitting multiple entries in Category 5).

Main Prize : Judged as the best painting in the show the winning painting will not be eligible for any other prize.

$5000  Best in Show Acquisitive Prize

An acquisitive prize of $5,000 will be awarded to the Artwork, entered in any category, judged to be ‘Best in Show’ by the judges. The winner of the Best in Show prize will not be eligible for any other prizes, including the Peoples’ Choice Award.  The winning Artwork will become the property of the Port of Newcastle.

$1000  People’s Choice Prize

A prize $1,000 will be awarded to the Peoples’ Choice winner. The Peoples’ Choice Award will be decided by those attending the exhibition who chose to submit a vote (each attendee will be asked to submit only one vote). Voting for the Peoples’ Choice Award will close on 30 June 2024, 2pm and the winner will be announced on 30 June 2024, 4pm. The winner of the Best in Show Acquisition prize of $5,000 will not be eligible for this Prize.

Category 1: $1500   Newcastle MTS Open Award
  • This category is open to anyone over the age of 18.
  • A prize of $1,500 will be awarded to the winner of this category. 
  • The winner of the Best in Show Acquisitive Prize will not be eligible for this prize.
  • An online application form must be completed.
  • A non-refundable entry fee payment of $35 (including GST) must be paid.
  • Artworks entered in this category must be available for acquisition or sale by MTS (see Terms and Conditions for further information). 
Category 2: $1000 Indigenous Artist Award
  • This category is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artists living in NSW over the age of 18.
  • A prize $1,000 will be awarded to the winner of this category. 
  • The winner of the Best in Show Acquisitive Prize will not be eligible for this prize.
  • An online application form must be completed, including a declaration that the applicant is eligible to enter this category (see Terms and Conditions for further information).
  • A Non-refundable entry fee of $35 (including GST) must be paid.
  • Artworks entered in this category must be available for acquisition or sale by MTS (see Terms and Conditions for further information). 
Category 3: $1000 Seafarers / Port Workers Artist Award
  • This category is open to past or present Seafarers and Port workers living in NSW over the age of 18.
  • A prize $1,000 will be awarded to the winner of this category. 
  • The winner of the Best in Show Acquisitive Prize will not be eligible for this prize.
  • An online application form must be completed, including a declaration that the applicant is eligible to enter this category (see Terms and Conditions for further information).
  • A Non-refundable entry fee of $35 (including GST) must be paid.
  • Artworks entered in this category must be available for acquisition or sale by MTS (see Terms and Conditions for further information). 
Category 4: High School Student Artist Award: $500
  • This category is open to students enrolled in a NSW High School.
  • A prize $500 will be awarded to the winner of this category. 
  • The winner of the Best in Show Acquisitive Prize will not be eligible for this prize.
  • An online application form must be completed including a declaration that the student is eligible to enter this category. If the student is under 18 the online application must be completed by their parent / guardian. 
  • Entry is free.
  • Artworks entered in this category must be available for acquisition if selected to be the “Best in Show Prize” (see Terms and Conditions for further information). 
Category 5: $500 Primary School Award (class or group entries)
  • All entries in this category must be submitted by a NSW Primary School on behalf of a group of five (5) or more students who attend that school.
  • A NSW Primary School may submit more than one entry in this category, on behalf of different student groups within its school. For example, MTS is hoping they receive bundles of Artworks from different classrooms at the same NSW Primary School. However, a NSW Primary School can only submit one (1) entry on behalf of each student group (eg. each class can only submit one entry).
  • The group of students can choose whether to:
    – enter a single Artwork that they have made together (maximum size 1.4m x 1.4m), or
    – enter individual Artworks (maximum size A4), which we will grouped together for judging. 
  • A prize of $500 will be awarded to the Primary School (not the students) who wins this category.
  • An online application form must be completed by the NSW Primary School, including a declaration that the class or school is eligible to enter this category.
  • The NSW Primary School making the entry is responsible to satisfy parent/guardian consent requirements.
  • Entry is free.
  • Artworks entered in this category must be available for acquisition if selected to be the “Best in Show Prize” (see Terms and Conditions for further information). 

Category 6: $100 Voucher Primary Student Artists Award
  • This category is open to students enrolled in a NSW Primary School.
  • Three (3) prizes of $100 vouchers will be awarded to the three (3) winners of this category.
  • An online application form must be completed by the student’s parent or guardian and must include a declaration that the student is eligible to enter this category. 
  • Entry is free.
  • Artworks entered in this category must be available for acquisition if selected to be the “Best in Show Prize” (see Terms and Conditions for further information). 

Please contact Newcastle Mission to Seafarers at mtsart@mtsnewcastle.org.au if you have any questions in relation to the above categories.

Copies of the Maritime Art Prize Application form and the Maritime Art Prize – Parental/Guardian Consent Form.docx can be found at https://www.mtsnewcastle.org.au/art 

The information above in relation to categories is to be read in conjunction with the following Terms and Conditions and to the extent of any discrepancy, the Terms and Conditions will prevail.

Click on the flyer to download

TERMS & CONDITIONS

The exhibition will be held at The Mission to Seafarers Newcastle.
96 Hannell Street, Wickham, New South Wales 2293

Newcastle Mission to Seafarers (MTS) will use its best endeavours to ensure that these terms and conditions are complied with.

Artwork
  • Artworks entered in the MTS Maritime Art Prize (Artworks) must reflect the theme: Navigating the Future. Artists will have to provide a short statement explaining how their Artwork responds to the theme.
  • The Artwork must be two dimensional and able to be hung on a wall without protruding more than 10cm.  
  • Artworks may include painting, mixed media, printmaking, collage, drawing or another medium other than photography and entirely digital works. 
  • Overall dimensions of the Artwork including framing, do not exceed 140cm high x 140cm wide (noting the A4 limits for a Primary School student submitting work as part of a group in Category 5 and 6).
  • Artworks may be single or multi-piece as long as the overall dimensions do not exceed the size limit (multi piece proposals must be accompanied by a clear image of the assembled work and handing instructions).
  • The weight of the Artwork must not exceed 15kg.
  • Artworks must be original and must not infringe the copyright, moral rights or other rights of any third party. 
  • Artworks must have been created in the two years prior to 3rd June 2024.
  • Artworks must be professionally presented, dry (paint) and clearly labelled on the back and ready to hang with secure hardware. D Rings and hanging wires. 
  • Artworks framed under Perspex should be clearly marked for cleaning purposes. Artworks must not have been exhibited (in any form – digitally or physically) as a finalist in another art prize.
  • In relation to Categories 1-4 and 6, the entrant must be the owner of the Artwork. 
  • In relation to Category 5, the NSW Primary School must have all relevant permission secured prior to submitting an Artwork on behalf of a student or student group (eg. class, year etc). 
  • All entrants retain copyright in their Artwork and all information and images submitted. 
  • Artworks in Categories 1-4 must be submitted ready to install and must have D rings or hanging fixtures attached. 
  • All Artworks must be clearly labelled with Artist name, title of Artwork, medium , category entered and, for categories 1-3, the sale price. 
  • Artworks that are not to be photographed must be clearly labelled and a label will be placed near the Artwork when hung (photography will be allowed at the Finalist exhibition).
Entrants
  • MTS Employees and Board members, volunteers, judges of the MTS Maritime Art Prize 2024, and members of their immediate families are not eligible to enter the Maritime Art Award.
  • Entrants submitting Artworks in Category 2 warrant that their work does not infringe any laws including and that they have obtained full consent regarding any First Nations knowledge or intellectual property within their work from relevant communities whose work contains Indigenous culture for intellectual property.
  • Except for Category 5, only individuals will be able to enter the MTS Maritime Art Prize 2024.
  • Entrant agrees to any embargo applicable to the finalist exhibition and/or winner announcement. The winning entrant must not disclose his/her/their identity during the embargo period.
  • MTS will always attribute the artist as the author of the work. Full details of the work may be used at MTS’ discretion.
  • MTS will not make any changes or alterations to an entrants Artwork, statement or bio without an entrant’s prior written consent, and will treat the entrants work with integrity.
Entries
  • Entries open on 15th January 2024, 9am and will close strictly on 3rd June 2024, 5pm OR when we have received 200 entries, whichever comes first. The total sum of entries from categories one, two, three and four is 200. Only the top 200 entries will be displayed.
  • Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.  
  • An entry fee of AUD $35.00 (inc. GST) must be paid for entry of an Artwork into Categories 1,2 and 3 and is non-refundable. Payments must be made online at the time the application is submitted. At its sole discretion the MTS may accept payment via a different method if an applicant is unable to make an online application.
  • Entries for categories 1,2 and 3 that are not accompanied by payment will not be considered valid entries. 
  • All entries successfully received by the online application will be acknowledged (if you do not receive an acknowledgement or are having trouble making an entry, please call 02 4961 5007 or email mtsart@mtsnewcastle.org.au
  • If an entrant is asked to provide evidence of their eligibility to enter a particular category, and is unable to do so, their entry will be considered invalid (any application fee received will be refunded on request). 
  • If an entry is found to be invalid after winners of prizes have been announced, the entrant will be disqualified, the prize will be revoked, and a new winner will be announced.
Acquisition
  • All Artworks in Categories 1-6 must be available to be acquired by MTS if the entrant is awarded the Best in Show acquisitive prize of $5,000 (incl GST).
Sale of Artworks by Finalists in Categories 1-3
  • All entries in Categories 1-3 must be available for sale and must remain available for sale for the period of the exhibition. 
  • Artists who set a sale price of more than $5,000 (inc. GST), fully recognise that if they win the Best in Show Prize, (which is acquisitive) they will only receive a maximum of $5,000 in prize money.
  • MTS will manage sales enquires (unless otherwise negotiated by the artist due to their representation by a registered dealer).
  • A 20% commission will be deducted from the artists nominated sale price. 
  • Artists will be paid for any sold Artwork within 14 days of full payment by the purchaser.
  • Sold Artworks are to remain in the exhibition until it ends on 30th June 2024, 4pm.

Judging – selection of winners for each category
  • The judges will be announced closer to the event and displayed here.
  • The judges, including the number of judges, may be changed by MTS without notice.
  • The winners of each category will be final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the selection.

Exhibition
  • The hanging of Artworks in the Maritime Art Prize 2024 exhibition is at the sole discretion of MTS. Artworks may not be exhibited if the images submitted earlier are not an adequate representation of the actual work received, the work is in not in a condition for public exhibition submitted or for any other reason. 
  • All Artwork must be available for display at MTS, between 21 – 30 June 2024.
  • Artwork must be delivered, at the entrant’s expense, to the Mission to Seafarers Building, 96 Hannell Street, Wickham, New South Wales 2293, by no later than Wed 19th June 2024, 4pm.
  • Finalists must acknowledge that their Artwork statement and bio, submitted as provided as part of the entry to Maritime Art Prize 2024, may be used by MTS for the purposes of education, publicity and promotion.
  • Adequate precautions must be taken in packing of works as no responsibility will be taken for damaged or lost works in transit. Packaging must be suitable for return. 
  • Finalists will be responsible for all transit insurance.
  • MTS will exercise professional care of exhibited Artworks. 
  • Neither MTS nor its employees or representatives will accept responsibility for any loss or damage, however caused, to any artwork whilst in their custody.
  • Where reasonable winners of prizes will make themselves available for marketing and media opportunities in relation to the promotion of the exhibition, at the invitation of MTS, if given reasonable notice.
  • Winners of prizes grant to MTS (and its supporter, the Port of Newcastle ) a fee-free, non-commercial, non-exclusive licence for 2 years to reproduce the submitted work in material form, to photograph, publish and/or communicate it to the public, for the following Prize-related purposes: marketing, publicity, educational and publication uses for the MTS Maritime Art Prize and its exhibition in all media, including but not limited to electronic/digital, broadcasting and print media and anything incidental to such purposes including visitor social media use. Photography within the exhibition will be allowed unless specified by the artist. Artworks that are not to be photographed will be clearly labelled.
  • Finalists grant to MTS a perpetual licence for its archival purposes.
  • At the conclusion of the exhibition the Artwork (other than the winner and any sold during the course of the exhibition) will be returned to the entrant at the entrant’s expense.

Advertising & Promotion
  • The Newcastle Maritime Art Prize 2024 will be widely advertised and promoted through both print and digital media.
  • Artists will be credited in all promotional activities where artwork images are reproduced. 

Return of Artworks
  • Collection of all unsold works at the conclusion of the Exhibition is the responsibility of the artist. Works must be collected on between Sunday 30 June 2024 4pm to 6pm or Monday 1st July 2024 9am to 5pm 
  • An artist’s signed authority is required if an agent of the artist is collecting. 
  • Artists dispatching works by Courier to a nominated return address must contact by email mtsart@newcastle.org.au prior to the closure of the exhibition to confirm details. 
  • All pre-paid couriered Artworks will be repackaged in their original wrappings at the closure of the Exhibition ready to be collected – artists must supply return shipping details (including a return address) with their artwork. It is the responsibility of the artist to ensure works are professionally and securely packaged for transport/delivery and have glass taped and corners protected.
  • If works are not collected within two (2) weeks of final collection date of Monday, 1st July 2024, 5pm, it will be treated at the discretion of the MTS.

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The MTS Maritime Art Prize Committee would like to acknowledge our very generous major sponsors

Port of Newcastle
Port Authority New South Wales