Artists and designers are invited to submit art and design works exploring environmental themes for this year’s Environmental Art & Design Prize. The call-out is open 17 March – 14 May.

Works by finalists will exhibit at Manly Art Gallery and Museum (MAG&M) from 4 – 27 August 2023.  Now in its third year, the non-acquisitive prize celebrates Australian creativity and innovation in response to the environment, reflects on climate change and explores the challenges we face with our natural environment.

Mayor Michael Regan said the prize provides an important platform to bring together a dynamic community of artists and designers and is a chance to connect with audiences who care about the future of our planet.

“On the Northern Beaches, we value our natural environment and sustainable living, so it makes sense for us to continue to highlight environmentally focussed art and design,” Mayor Regan said.

“The natural environment has inspired local artists for centuries, and the Environmental Art & Design Prize continues that tradition. In previous years we have seen some truly incredible and provocative works that have prompted us all to reflect on the precious and precarious nature of our environment.”

This year, winners will be awarded by an esteemed external judging panel of three leading creative practitioners including renowned industrial designer Adam Goodrum, Powerhouse First Nations Curator Emily McDaniel, and contemporary artist Caroline Rothwell.

Designer and judge Adam Goodrum said that artists and designers are agents of change, often taking the lead in responding to environmental or societal challenges.

“The role of creatives is to influence, educate, expose, challenge and generate solutions. Contributions can be intangible and elicit an exchange of ideas and emotions or they might consider materiality and production,” Mr Goodrum said.

“At the core, contributions should be inventive, to address societal needs through creative work.”

The $42,000 prize pool will be divided across the nine categories encompassing a range of contemporary practices, from fashion and design to ceramics and painting.

Entries open at 10am Friday, 17 March and close at 5pm, Sunday, 14 May.

The exhibition of finalists’ artworks will be displayed at Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Curl Curl Creative Space and Mona Vale Creative Space Gallery from 4 - 27 August.

Artists and designers nation-wide can apply here.

For more information about this year’s judges and the complete list of categories visit Northern Beaches Council website