ARTISTS of all ages could win prizes of up to £1,000 in a competition aimed at showcasing the county’s talent.
The Dorset Art Prize, sponsored by Dorset Community Foundation and Poole Museum, is run by the art and design department of Bournemouth and Poole College. Its aim is to encourage artists across the community.
This year’s theme in the free to enter competition is narrative, said the college. Entries, which are open to any Dorset resident, can be in any medium including paintings, sculpture, film, animation or textiles.
The competition is divided into age categories with top prizes of £750 for primary school Years 3 to 6 and secondary school Years 7 to 9, Year 10 and 11s and Year 12 and 13s. There is a £1,000 prize for over 19s. There are also £500 and £250 runner-up prizes in each category.
College principal Diane Grannell said: “At the college we remain committed to the arts and it is important to us that we continue to engage with artistic community. We receive lots of feedback from last year’s entrants explaining that the art prize gave them something positive to focus on at such a difficult time.
“We are proud to be bringing the awards back this year as we continue to champion the wealth of dorset’s talent. We hope people are able to optimise on the extra time spent at home, by channelling their creativity into something positive, which aids their self-care and wellbeing.”
Dorset Community Foundation Director Grant Robson said he was proud the foundation has been involved with the event since its launch in 2014. “This is a fantastic platform for artists to express some of the amazing talent we have here in Dorset and I am sure this is a year that will have provided no end of inspiration.
“It has been very hard for all kinds of reasons but the incredible efforts we have witnessed while awarding £1.2 million of grants to help grass roots groups tackle hunger, anxiety, loneliness and isolation has shown us that there is amazing community spirit here. I am looking forward to seeing what is produced and good luck to everyone entering.”
The entry deadline is July 15. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at Poole Museum in November and winners will be notified by September 28.
The judging panel is BCP Council’s Museum and Arts Manager Michael Spender and Public Programming and Learning Manager Rebecca Rossiter, Fine Family Foundation Director Sibyl Fine King, artists Helen Marshall and Jacqueline Hurley and photographer and author Tony Worobiec.
Entry details can be found here. Donate to the Dorset Community Coronavirus Fund here.