Budding visual artists are called on to enter the 2024 Free State Young Artist awards competition. This annual competition, open to those who are still attending school, is organised by the National Museum in Bloemfontein and ties in with Youth Month celebrations in June.
The theme for this year is “Fight Drought – Exploring Resilience and Innovation”.
It inspires entrants to capture the beauty, challenges, and innovative solutions emerging from drought-affected landscapes.
“Show the importance of sustainable water management. Let’s spark creative dialogue and inspire action towards a more harmonious relationship with our environment,” said Christo Venter, head of department at the museum.
“The National Museum joins in the Fight Drought battle, by creating awareness around our environment.
“The arts have always been a tool for commenting and creating awareness around contentious issues, and the Free State Young Artist awards competition is a perfect platform for creative expression.”
Entrants are afforded an opportunity to have their works of art exhibited in the museum, for members of the public to view – in this way taking note of the young artists’ skills.
In addition, prize money is offered to individual winners in the three categories of the competition.
Entries, each accompanied by a completed entry form, need to be submitted before or on the closing date of 2 August.
Forms are available at the National Museum and the Oliewenhuis Art Museum and can also be downloaded from nasmus.co.za/free-state-young-artist-competition.
For details on the competition, entry requirements and categories, call Venter on 051-447-9609 during office hours.
Alternatively, send email to ontwerp@nasmus.co.za.
Requirements
- Only original work created in 2024 can be entered.
- Entries must speak to and highlight the theme.
- These works of art can be two or three dimensional and be made from a variety of mediums.
- Works of art may not be larger that 1 m x 1 m x 1 m or weigh more than 30 kg.
Categories
- Category A, for preschool learners (five to nine years): R1 000 is awarded as first prize, R300 as second prize and R150 as third prize.
- Category B, for primary school learners (ten to 14 years): R2 000 is awarded as first prize, R600 as second prize and R300 as third prize.
- Category C, for high school learners (15 to 19 years): R3 000 is awarded as first prize, R1 000 as second prize and R750 as third prize.
