UNBOUND ART AWARD 2025

Submissions are open from 3rd December 2024 until 12 January 2025.

In the lead up to Bendigo hosting the exhibition of Mexican artist with disability Frida Kahlo, the Unbound art award honours creativity, diversity, and the contributions of artists with disability to the vibrant tapestry of our Greater Bendigo community.

Two major awards will be presented:

• emerging artists 25 years and under, 
• open artist over 25 years.

Artwork is being sought that showcases originality, freedom in expression and diversity in talent.

Submissions are open from 3rd December 2024 until 12 January 2025

Shortlisted and selected artwork will be exhibited at Dudley House from 10-23 February 2025.

Category winners will receive $650 and the opportunity to exhibit their artworks at prominent locations in Bendigo including Omari following the Dudley House exhibition. Highly commended artwork will receive $250. Prizes will be either through pre-loaded credit card or EFT transfer. 

Submissions must be:

• People with a permanent disability  or impairment that impacts on daily functioning and  interactions including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, brain injury,  intellectual disability.
• Residents of Greater Bendigo.
• Must be original artwork in paint, digital, collage or mixed mode that is ready to be hung.
• Only ONE submitted artwork per artist.
• Must be able to be readily hung with string or hook on the back i.e painting, digital print, mixed media. Due to limitations of the space size will be considered as part of the selection process. 

The City of Greater Bendigo includes the suburbs and localities of Argyle, Ascot, Avonmore, Axedale, Axe Creek, Bagshot, Bagshot North, Barnadown, Bendigo, Big Hill, California Gully, Costerfield, Derrinal, Drummartin, Eaglehawk, Eaglehawk North, East Bendigo, Elmore, Emu Creek, Eppalock, Epsom, Flora Hill, Fosterville, Golden Gully, Golden Square, Goornong, Harcourt North (part), Heathcote, Hunter, Huntly, Huntly North, Ironbark, Jackass Flat, Junortoun, Kamarooka (part), Kangaroo Flat, Kennington, Kimbolton, Knowsley, Ladys Pass, Lake Eppalock, Leichardt (part), Lockwood, Lockwood South (part), Long Gully, Longlea, Lyal, Maiden Gully, Mandurang, Mandurang South, Marong (part), Mia Mia (part), Mount Camel, Myers Flat, Myrtle Creek (part), Neilborough, North Bendigo, Quarry Hill, Ravenswood (part), Raywood (part), Redcastle (part), Redesdale (part), Sailors Gully, Sebastian (part), Sedgwick, Shelbourne (part), Spring Gully, Strathdale, Strathfieldsaye, Toolleen (part), Wellsford, West Bendigo, Whipstick, White Hills, Wilsons Hill and Woodvale.

https://profile.id.com.au/bendigo

https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/about-us/council/wards

Download and complete the submission form. The form asks you to provide information:

• about you including your disability and residential location,
• about your creative experience,
• about your artwork,
• confirmation of participation as per the criteria and consent for promotion.
• You will also need to provide a high quality digital image of the artwork.

If you require further information or other options  to support accessibility please contact tamara@shared direction.com.

Email submissions to: unbound@shareddirection.com 

Subject: Unbound Award 

Complete award submissions will be considered by an expert panel of prominent and distinguished regional creatives and representatives of local industry peaks. 

A shortlist of selected artworks, including award winners will be asked to exhibit their artwork at Dudley House from Monday 10 (launch) to Sunday 23 February. 

If invited, you will need to drop your artwork off at a central location between the dates of 4th to 8th February 2025.

A public launch will be held on 10 February at 10:30am at Dudley House. Guest speakers and award nominees will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be provided. 

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their commitment and support in creating an inclusive society and sharing the joy of showcasing the diversity of artists talent.

Emerging Artists Award

• OMARI Bendigo (Major Award) - https://omaribendigo.com.au
• Pride Bendigo (Highly Commended) - https://bendigopridefestival.com.au

Open Artists Award

• One Tree Hill Hotel (Major Award) - https://www.onetreehillhotel.com.au
• Coffee Co. (Highly Commended) - http://coffeecobendigo.com.au

Event support

• Grieve Built (high quality house renovations in Bendigo) - https://www.grievebuilt.com.au
• Shared Direction Consulting - https://shareddirection.com
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Bendigo Arts Inc. - https://bendigoartists.com.au
• CreateA - https://www.gcss.org.au/activities/createability/
• Victoria Senior Practitioner - https://www.dffh.vic.gov.au/victorian-senior-practitioner
• Arts and creative industries advisory committee - https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/community-services/arts-and-creative-industries/creative-industries
• and all other people and organisations that have made this showcase possible.