fortyfivedownstairs and Future Leaders have presented an annual Emerging Artist Award since 2015. The award brings together the best emerging artists from across Australia for a two-week exhibition in the iconic fortyfivedownstairs gallery.
fortyfivedownstairs presents the seventh annual Emerging Artist Award 2022.
A $3000 pool of prize money was awarded by special guest judge Anouska Phizacklea, Director of Monash Gallery of Art (MGA), to the two submissions that best aligned with the award criteria – In My Mind (the voices that tear me apart) by Madeleine Joy Dawes and Pixel by Rhys Cousins. For the first time, a new third prize for Highest Commendation was awarded to we are made to be held by Jae O’Donnell, who will be receiving a professional development opportunity courtesy of the MGA.
As well, the People’s Choice Award was awarded to Wild Scorpia I’m Grieving by Ryan Pola.
The Emerging Artist Award 2022 supported by Future Leaders, Magma Art Projects, Wild Fire Wines and The Cuming Bequest.
fortyfivedownstairs presented the sixth annual Emerging Artist Award in June 2021.
Twenty-nine emerging Australian artists were been selected for a two-week exhibition from 22 June – 3 July 2021. A $3000 pool of prize money was awarded by special guest judge Dr. Vincent Alessi (La Trobe University, Conners Conners Gallery), to the two submissions that best aligned with the award criteria – We have food at home by Jacklyn Foster and Only Us (good pain) by Noah Spivak. As Well, the People’s Choice Award was won by Imogen Kerr, with her work The bubbles beneath the surface.
The Emerging Artist Award 2021 was supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants, Future Leaders and The Cuming Bequest.
fortyfivedownstairs presented the fifth annual Emerging Artist Award in June 2019.
Twenty-nine emerging Australian artists were been selected for a two-week exhibition from 18 – 29 June 2019. A $3000 pool of prize money was awarded by special guest judge Annika Kristensen, Senior Curator at ACCA, to the two submissions that best aligned with the award criteria – Something Special by Marisa Mu and We’re All in this Together by Logan Mucha.
The Award is a proven catalyst for ongoing recognition and professional development and allows audiences the privilege of accessing early-career works by exciting emerging artists.
At fortyfivedownstairs we showcase independent, experimental and thought-provoking visual art. The Emerging Artist Award 2019 was an opportunity to examine developing trends in the contemporary art scene while allowing emerging artists to gain exposure in a professional setting and kick-start their careers.
The Emerging Artist Award 2019 was supported by the Terry Swann Peter Griffin Foundation, Future Leaders and the Hart Line Fund.
2018
Exhibition dates: 19-30 June 2018
Judge: Julie McLaren (Curator, Art Gallery of Ballarat)
Winners: Ayman Kaake & Katie Eraser
Award Finalists: Adam Stone, Alan Jones, Alisha Abate, Anna McDermott, Ayman Kaake, Clara Murphy, Darren O’Hehir, Em Jensen, Evelyn Beissel, Garth Howells, Harry Taylor, Kate de la Motte, Katie Eraser, Leo Bagus, Leo Flander, Madeline Bishop, Naomi Nicholls, Paul Eggins, Philadelphia Hansen-Viney, Ren Gregorcic, Sai-Wai Foo, Simon Beuve, SoHee Yoon, Stephanie Nagy, Stephanie Kam, Zarnie Morcombe
The Emerging Artist Award 2018 was presented by fortyfivedownstairs and Future Leaders, and supported by Terry Swann & Peter Griffin A.M. and the Hart Line Fund.
2017
Exhibition dates: 13-24 June 2017
Judge: Sandra Bruce (La Trobe Art Institute)
Winners: Jessica Kease & Anatol Pitt
Award Finalists:
Anatol Pitt, Celeste Magee, Claire Raimondo, Ella Rose Dunn, Fraser Pollock, Georgia Banks, Henry Curchod, Jess Gannaway, Jessica Kease, Joshua Hattam, Kasper Raglus, Kate McColl, Katherine Gailer, Katie Ryan, Lia Vassiliadis, Lily O’Connell, Liz Gridley, Lucy Le Masurier, Matthew Clarke, Myles Young, Natalia Berlizova, Philadelphia Hanson-Viney, Rolando Garay-Matziaris, Timothy Greaves
The Emerging Artist Award 2017 was presented by fortyfivedownstairs and Future Leaders, and supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus1 and the Hart Line Fund.
2016
Exhibition dates: 21 June to 2 July 2016
Judge: Associate Professor Alison Inglis (University of Melbourne)
First Prize: Annabelle Aronica
Second Prize: Ebony Finck
Award Finalists:
Annabelle Aronica, Matthew Clarke, Sarah Coghlan, Daniel Emmerig, Ebony Finck, Camila Galaz, Liam Herne, Natalie Mather, Anna McDermott, Kari McInneny-McRae, Hayley Millar, Michael Simms, Merryn Sommerville, Louise Tate, Shaun Thatcher, Elena Valimberti and Jason Willers.
The Emerging Artist Award 2016 was presented by fortyfivedownstairs and Future Leaders, and with support from the Hartline Foundation.
2015
Exhibition dates: 23 June – 11 July 2015
Judge: Ron Ramsey
First Prize: Prue Stevenson
Second Prize: Glen Clancey
People’s Choice: Imogen Kotsoglo
Award Finalists:
Abigail Humphreys, Aimee Thannhauser, Andrew Duong, Anne Forwood, Ashlee Ko, Celeste Magee, Domenica Vavala, Ester Poyas, Glen Clancey, Imogen Kotsoglo, Isabelle de Kleine, Jason Willers, Kristy Nardella, Larissa MacFarlane, Louis Slamowicz, Lynne Makings, Magdalena Dmowska, Matto Lucas, Prue Stevenson, Rachel Tai, Shannon Hansen, Shelley Jardine, Stephen Christie
The Emerging Artist Award 2015 was presented by fortyfivedownstairs and Future Leaders, and with support from Emerging Art Australia.