Footscray Art Prize returning in 2023  

The nationally recognised Footscray Art Prize is returning in 2023, with applications opening on 3 October 2022.     

The Footscray Art Prize is a biennial national visual art prize for contemporary artworks across multiple platforms and disciplines that welcomes entries from local and national artists. It recognises the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on visual artists across the country and, in support, has doubled the main prize money for the 2023 edition.   

Footscray has a growing reputation for being a centre for arts and culture, influenced by a rich industrial heritage and diverse community. The Footscray Art Prize provides an opportunity to celebrate this artistic vibrancy and creativity within the local community and beyond.   

Prize categories & dates

Entries for the 2023 Footscray Art Prize will soon open, giving artists from across Australia the opportunity to showcase their art in the thriving hub of Footscray and share in $33,000 worth of prizes across four categories:  

• Footscray Art Prize ($20,000)  
• Local Acquisition Prize ($10,000)  
• Residency Artist Prize ($2000)  
• Young Artists Prize for primary students ($500) and secondary students ($500)  

 Entries will close on 20 March 2023 and winners will be announced in July 2023. The exhibition will open on 15 July and shortlisted works will be on display at a Footscray Art Prize exhibition, which will be held at Footscray Community Arts.   

The Footscray Art Prize is a partnership between Victoria University, Maribyrnong City Council, Footscray Community Arts and the Rotary Club of Footscray.     

The Rotary Club of Footscray will also host a Footscray Art Prize Dinner and Auction on Saturday 5 August 2023 to raise funds for local youth projects.    

Further information about each of the categories and application requirements can be found at footscrayartprize.com  

Messages from local leaders

Council is proud to continue to support our arts community through the biennial Footscray Art Prize. Footscray is a thriving cultural and creative hub with an enviable reputation as a centre of arts and culture in the inner west, which has been reflected in the success of the Footscray Art Prize to date. Applications for the 2023 Prize open on 3 October and I encourage creatives from across the City, state and country to apply. Make sure you mark your calendars! 

–   Mayor, Councillor Anthony Tran  

Independent artists in Australia have been hit hard by COVID-19. Many experienced a loss of work and struggled to access government support schemes. By doubling the value of the major prize, we wanted to recognise that support for artists is most acute now in this time of recovery.

– Footscray Community Arts' Artistic Director,  Daniel Santangeli 

Victoria University is proud to support the fourth biennial Footscray Art Prize, alongside our valued partners Footscray Community Arts, Maribyrnong City Council and Footscray Rotary. 
Since its inception in 2016, the Prize has provided a national platform for Footscray’s creative community — recognising the region’s enduring and ever-growing arts, culture, and creative industries. 
The Young Artists category, in particular, has been a highlight for many years, with local primary and secondary school students getting the unique opportunity to create and exhibit work. We look forward to showcasing the next generation of Australian visual artists in the 2023 Footscray Art Prize exhibition. 

– Professor Adam Shoemaker, Vice-Chancellor and President of Victoria University