Art Awards

The Art Awards are one of Queensland’s most prestigious regional art events and is eagerly anticipated each year.

2023 will mark the 48th anniversary of The Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards. 

KEY DATES 2023

Calling for submissions - 3 to 7 October 2023
GRAGM Closed for installation - 9 to 20 October
Exhibition Opens – 10am, Saturday 21 October 2023
Judge’s Floor Talk - 10.30am, Saturday 21 October 2023
Judge's Illustrated Lecture – 1pm, Saturday 21 October 2023
Official Opening and Awards Presentation - 6pm, Saturday 21 October 2023
QAL People’s Choice Awards Voting - opens 10am, Saturday 21 October 2023
Art Awards Artist Talks - to be announced
Exhibition Closes - 2pm, Saturday, 27 January 2024
Collection of Works - 29 January to 3 February 2024

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

The 48th Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award $15,000
The Pamela Whitlock Memorial Acquisitive Award $5000
The Pieter Groen-int-woud Memorial Young Emerging Artist Award $1,500
The Local Murri Artist Award $2,000
The Local Artist Award $2,000
The Installers Choice Award $500

The QAL People’s Choice Awards $500 each
• SECTION 1: Easel Works
• SECTION 2: Works on Paper
• SECTION 3: Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
• SECTION 4: Digital Works

SECTION 1: Easel Works
Mixed media, acrylic, collage, oil, paint, etc, on non-paper based supports, e.g. canvas, Masonite, etc.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500

SECTION 2: Works on Paper
Drawing, watercolour, collage, mixed media, print, etc. on paper based supports.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500

SECTION 3: Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
Pottery hand built/wheel thrown, sculpture including maquettes, carving, assemblage, timber, metal, stone, plastics, fibre, etc.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500

SECTION 4: Digital Works
Photography, moving image, animation, soundscapes, etc.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500

conditions of entry

Non-Negotiable
1. $15 entry fee (incl. GST) per artwork, non-refundable.
2. Entrants must be 15 years of age or over at time of entry.
3. Only one work per artist may be submitted. A collaborative work is seen as an entry by each individual collaborator. There is a 30 character limit on artwork titles and medium descriptions (note: ‘characters’ includes spaces).
4. Entry fee, completed entry form and labelled artwork/s are to be received by 1pm, Saturday, 7 October 2023. Late entries will not be accepted.
5. All works will be viewed by the Judge. The Judge's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Eligibility
6. All works and concepts must be the original, unaided work of the entrant and created during the twelve months prior to 3 October 2023.
7. Maximum Artwork Display Dimensions (including frame and/or mount) *:

8. All entries are eligible for The Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award, The Installers Choice Award and applied for section awards.
9. The Pamela Whitlock Memorial Acquisitive Award: Works in all sections are eligible if the work is listed 'for sale' with an artist's requested value of $5,000 or less (i.e. excluding commission and GST).
10. The Young Emerging Artist Award: The entrant must be aged 15 to 25 years, as at 3 October 2023.
11. The Local Murri Artist Award: The entrant must identify as an Aboriginal, Torres Strait or South Sea Islander artist and be a resident within the Gladstone Regional Council area, for at least 3 consecutive months of the 12 months prior to 3 October 2023.
12. The Local Artist Award: The entrant must be a resident within the Gladstone Regional Council area, for at least 3 consecutive months of the 12 months prior to 3 October 2023.
13. The People’s Choice Awards: All entrants are eligible to win in their registered section, as voted by the public while visiting the exhibition. One prize will be awarded in each section. Voting is available between the specified dates at the Gallery & Museum during Gallery & Museum opening hours. Winners are announced towards the end of the exhibition.
14. The Installers Choice Award: Works in all sections are eligible. Recipient of the Award will be selected by Gallery & Museum staff and volunteers.
15. SECTION 4: Entries in Section 4 Digital Works will be shown on televisions on a looping ‘show reel’ with others. Files must be provided on USB in the following formats: MP3, MP4, AVI or WMA. A maximum duration of 30 minutes* (incl. credits)
16. NOT ELIGIBLE: Workshop projects, commercially produced kits, designs, etc. , works that have previously won a major Award or works that were completed more than 12 months prior to 3 October 2023.
Display Requirements:
17. Works with multiple components, considered as one work, must include clear assembly instructions with a photo/sketch of the best way to display the work.
18. Works must be able to be safely handled by up to two people.
19. Works to be hung must be submitted with "D" ring attachments, 100mm from top of frame for larger works, 50mm for smaller works. Plinths are available for three-dimensional works, however, stands or supports must be provided by the artist where necessary.
Delivery & Collection:
20. Arrangements and expenses pertaining to the delivery and collection of works to the Gallery & Museum are the entrant's responsibility. Return freight must be prepaid. Consignment notes, prepaid vouchers or postage stamps, etc., to be enclosed with entry form. Complete sub missions should be addressed to:
The 48th Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards 2023
Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
Cnr Goondoon & Bramston Sts, Gladstone QLD 4680
21. Works must be collected from the Gallery & Museum between the specified dates. No responsibility will be taken for unclaimed entries. Works not collected between the specified dates will become the property of Gladstone Regional Council.
Upon entering a submission, the Artist agrees to the following:
22. Entrants display instructions will be taken into consideration; however, it is at the Curator's discretion how the works will be displayed. The Curator's decision is final.
23. By submitting an entry each Entrant grants to Gladstone Regional Council an irrevocable, unconditional, perpetual, royalty free, non-exclusive licence to photograph and reproduce entries (print and online, including social media) for marketing and publicity purposes for the Gallery & Museum and for catalogue and archival purposes. 
24. The Gallery & Museum takes care in exhibiting and handling entries; however, works are submitted at the entrant's risk. No liability will be accepted for any loss or damage, either in transit, during installation, de-installation or while on display.
25. All works must remain in the exhibition until the specified collection dates.
26. Visitors to the exhibition are allowed to photograph the exhibition and all works on display, preferably without flash. No professional equipment (i.e. DSLRs, speed lights, tripods, light stands, etc.) will be permitted.
27. A commission of 20% (+ GST on commission) will be added to all works sold.

* Dimensions will be reduced to 1500mm x 1500mm x 1500mm and digital works must not exceed 10mins in 2024.

2023 Judge 

Sarah Johnson
With twenty-five years of experience in the arts, gallery, and museum sector, Sarah Johnson is the Senior Curator of QANTAS Founders Museum, managing the extensive collection of over 10,000 objects, including aircraft, aviation material, and memorabilia in the Longreach collection.

Sarah has a MA (ArtAdmin) Master of Art Administration from the University of New South Wales, and BA (Bachelor of Arts) from the University of Newcastle, majoring in history, art and cinema history and a Diploma in Art and Law from the Institute of Art & Law in London.

history of the awards

Since its inauguration in 1976, the Art Awards have become one of Queensland’s most prestigious regional art events and is eagerly anticipated each year. 

Martin Hanson (1923-1976) was a popular and highly-respected local businessman who was Member for Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Port Curtis 1963-1976, and patron to the Gladstone Artists Club. As a tribute to his patronage, in conjunction with the Hanson family, the Gladstone Artists Club held the first Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards and Exhibition in 1976.

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum became the custodian of the Art Awards in 1993.

From 1976 until her passing in 1998, Mary Hanson, Martin Hanson’s widow, officially opened the exhibition and presented the prizes in memory of her late husband. Their daughter, Elizabeth Zussino, has continued their family’s commitment through sponsorship of The Local Murri Artist Award.

The Art Awards were renamed in 2007 in recognition of Rio Tinto’s generous support of the Art Awards and arts in Queensland, which continues today.

In 2014, the format of the Art Awards changed with the addition of a fourth section of entry, Digital Works, adding to the three existing sections of entry: Easel Paintings, Works on Paper, Three Dimensional and Fibre Works. The same year, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) also supported the inauguration of The QAL People's Choice Awards, inviting the general public to vote for their favourite works on display within all sections of entry. 

The Art Awards are only possible each year due to the ongoing generous support from local individuals, businesses and industry. The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum is thankful to have these positive sponsor relationships and strives hard every year to ensure that the Art Awards are unforgettable.

For more information on the history of the awards visit Past Exhibitions.

**Please note correction to printed brochure, The Local Murri Artist Award & The Local Artist Award will receive a prize of $2000, not $1500 as stated. Which is great news for you artists, more money to win!**