The Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award is awarded annually to an exhibitor at the Camberwell Art Show and recognises excellence in contemporary visual art.
The award celebrates and promotes local artists by providing a unique opportunity to exhibit works in the foyer of the Hawthorn Arts Centre. This non-acquisitive award will be judged by the Camberwell Art Show judging panel and the Town Hall Gallery curatorial team.
The judging panel will award one recipient the Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award and up to two eligible exhibitors with Highly Commended acknowledgement.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, you must:
- be a current exhibitor in the 2025 Camberwell Art Show
- live or have a studio in the City of Boroondara
- not have received the award in the previous year (Highly Commended recipients are still eligible).
Submit your entry
Artist entries for the 2025 Camberwell Art Show are open until Monday 26 May. Visit the Camberwell Art Show website for more information.
Judging criteria
The Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award is awarded to an artwork showing:
- an exceptional level of artistic innovation and originality
- mastery in technical skill.
Highly Commended acknowledgements are awarded to artworks showing:
- high level of artistic innovation and originality
- high level of artistic impression and/or technical skill.
Exhibition details
The winner of the Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award will be offered:
- An exhibition of two-dimensional works in the foyer of Hawthorn Arts Centre in the following calendar year. Timing for the exhibition will coincide with the annual Camberwell Rotary Art Show. The exact timing and duration of the exhibition will be negotiated with the artist.
- Professional curation and presentation to the same standards applied to exhibitions at the Town Hall Gallery.
- Professional curatorial advice, mentoring and career development from the Town Hall Gallery curatorial team.
- Exhibition promotion through City of Boroondara’s website and social media.
- An acknowledgment as the 2025 winner on the City of Boroondara’s website and the Camberwell Art Show’s website.
The recipient of a Highly Commended will be offered:
- An acknowledgment as the 2025 recipient on the City of Boroondara’s website and the Camberwell Art Show’s website.
Sale of work
The artworks in the exhibition can be for sale at the artist’s discretion. Town Hall Gallery will facilitate the sale of works through the Boroondara Arts Shop and take 15% commission on sold works. The curatorial team will liaise with buyers to assist with collection of purchased works.
More information
For information about awards, grants and other opportunities for local artists, contact Boroondara Arts at [email protected] or on (03) 9278 4770.
Past winners
2024 winner
The winner of the 2024 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award at the Camberwell Art Show was Liam Cushing.
The Highly Commended acknowledgement was awarded to Steven Szczebiot.
2023 winner
The winner of the 2023 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award at the Camberwell Art Show was Penelope Lau.
2022 winner
The winner of the 2022 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award at the Camberwell Art Show was Caroline Calway.
2021 winner
The winner of the 2021 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award at the Camberwell Art Show was Eileen van Bavel.
2020 winner
The winner of the 2020 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award at the Camberwell Art Show was D.M. Ross.
2019 winner
The winner of the 2019 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award at the Camberwell Art Show was Joe Blundell.
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