Visual artists invited to apply for Qantas Spirit of Youth Award

Visual artists from around Australia are invited to submit entries for the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA) under the Visual Arts category, closing Tuesday 3 September 2013.

The Award offers artists aged between 18 and 30 the opportunity to further their career with the winners receiving $5,000 worth of flights, $5,000 in cash and a professional mentorship with MCA Director and internationally respected curator Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, OBE.

Last year the SOYA Visual Arts category attracted 5,000 artworks from more than 400 entrants. The award is open to artists working across all styles and genres, including painting, mixed media, sculpture, installation, ceramics, conceptual or performance art. 

Last year’s winner was Tully Arnot, who recently returned from an extended overseas trip as part of his SOYA Award, exploring creative opportunities on offer across Europe. Tully was a COFA graduate at the time of winning and used his prize to fund travel to the Edinburgh Art Festival, Scotland’s largest annual visual art festival.

Previous winners of the SOYA Visual Arts category are: Christian de Vietri (2004), Dane Lovett (2005), Alice Lang (2006), Danielle Freakley (2007), Grant Stevens (2008), Rebecca Baumann (2009), Clare Peake (2010/11) and Tully Arnot (2012).