What are the themes?

The two themes for the competition and exhibition are Hope and Connection. 

 

Who is eligible to enter?

If you are currently living in the Great Southern region and aged 12 – 25 years you are eligible to enter. If you are living in the Great Southern aged 26 years+ and you were a previous client of headspace Albany you are also eligible to enter.

headspace Albany encourages all young people people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity to enter the competition. 

 

Why should I enter?

·       There is no entry fee!

 

·       There will be cash prizes of $250 for age category award winners and $400 for community choice award winners. Another great reason to get creative and enter!

 

·       There is a significant link between art and mental health and wellbeing. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to significantly enhance emotional resilience, reduce stress, and promote overall mental health. 

 

·       All submitted artwork will be professionally exhibited at the Vancouver Arts Centre from 31^st March until 17^th April 2025, which is during Youth Week 2025. There will also be an Exhibition Opening Night on 31^st March from 5:30pm until 7:30pm.

 

·       Winning artworks will be bought, permanently kept and displayed in the counselling rooms or public area in the headspace Albany centre. Please note, if your artwork is judged as explicit, triggering or unsuitable for public display, it will not be selected as a winner and will not be exhibited.

 

·       You will be invited to an Awards Ceremony at headspace Albany in May 2025 (date and time to be confirmed) when the winning artworks will be displayed and announced.

How many artworks can I enter?

You can enter ONE 2D ARTWORK ONLY which must be your original work completed within the 18 month period up to 24^th March 2025.

 

What medium can I use?

Artwork could be created in (but is not restricted to) oil paint, acrylic paint, watercolour, pastels, pencils, charcoal, ink, textiles, mixed media, photography or digital media. Please note photography and digital media must be printed by the artist.

 

How many entries are you accepting?

ONLY THE FIRST 40 ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED (at the discretion of the organisers). This is due to the availability of the exhibition space.

 

When is the closing date for entries?

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 5PM ON 24^TH MARCH 2025. Online entry forms received after this closing date and time will NOT be accepted. No late changes will be accepted.

 

When and where do I drop off my artwork?

From 10am until 4pm on Thursday 27^th March 2025 at the Vancouver Arts Centre (85 Vancouver Street, Albany WA).

 

Where can I get help to create my artwork if I need it?

Some people won’t need help to work on their artwork entry. But if you do…….

 

The Vancouver Arts Centre in conjunction with headspace Albany is hosting FREE school holiday workshops on 13^th and 14^th January 2025 between 11am until 3pm to guide you with the creation of your artwork. Just bring along your canvas and we will supply you with the art materials during the workshops! Please contact headspace Albany on 08 9842 9871 to find out more information or to register for these workshops.

 

Albany Youth Support Association (AYSA) offers a FREE safe and supportive space for young people aged 12 – 25 years with their Open Access Youth Arts Studio. Please contact AYSA on 08 9842 2082 to find out more information about Open Access.

 

Schools and TAFE in the Great Southern region will be notified about the art competition. If you have a Visual Art Teacher at your school or TAFE, you could approach them for some support or guidance with your artwork entry.

 

What if there are some other barriers to me entering?

headspace Albany aims to remove barriers for young artists entering the art competition and exhibition.

 

Cost: We are offering five art supplies vouchers up to the value of $80 for participating artists who are experiencing financial hardship or do not have access to basic art supplies*. Please contact headspace Albany directly on 08 9842 9871, email info@headspacealbany.com.au, or drop into the centre during opening hours to speak to a member of the team if you would like to apply for these art supplies vouchers.

*total number of art supplies vouchers will be up to the discretion of the organisers

 

Confidentiality: We want to protect the confidentiality of participating artists. If you are entering, you will have the option of having your full name, first name only, or another name displayed. This option is included in the online entry form.

 

Still Have Questions? We are available to answer any questions or address concerns about the art competition and exhibition. Here are some of the ways we can help you:

 

·       Provide internet to access the Terms & Conditions on the website, fill in the online entry form, and/or print the artwork label

·       Support with accessing, reading and understanding the Terms & Conditions on the website

·       Support with accessing, reading, understanding and submitting the online entry form on the website

·       Support with accessing the artwork label on the website, printing the artwork label, completing the artwork label and/or securing the label to the back of your artwork

·       Support with accessing and installing the 'D rings' or 'triangle rings' that need to be secured 5cm from the top of your artwork (headspace Albany can supply these and help you to attach these)

 

Art Competition & Exhibition Details

Themes

The two themes for the competition and exhibition are Hope and Connection.

 

Awards & Prizes

For each of the following 2D artwork categories, two artworks will be awarded*. Note that artist’s age is based on your age on 24^th March 2025.

 

·         Ages 12-15: $250 award

·         Ages 16-19: $250 award

·         Ages 20-25: $250 award

·         Ages 26+ (must have been a previous client of headspace Albany): $250 award

·         Community’s choice: $400 award – community members will vote for this award during the exhibition period

 

*total number of awards will be up to the discretion of the organisers

 

Online Submissions Deadline

5pm on Monday 24^th March 2025. Online entry forms can be found on the headspace Albany website. Online entries received after this closing date and time will NOT be accepted. No late changes will be accepted.

 

Artwork Drop Off

From 10am until 4pm on Thursday 27^th March 2025 at the Vancouver Arts Centre (85 Vancouver Street, Albany).

 

Artwork Collection (non-winning artwork)

From 10am until 4pm on Tuesday 22^nd April 2025 at the Vancouver Arts Centre (85 Vancouver Street, Albany).

 

headspace Albany will directly contact the award category winners of the art competition via phone call, text message or email before Tuesday 22^nd April 2025. Please note that winning artwork will NOT need to be collected by artists as this artwork will be bought, permanently kept and displayed in the headspace Albany centre.

 

Exhibition Venue

Vancouver Arts Centre (85 Vancouver Street, Albany) – Front, Courtyard & Small gallery

 

Exhibition Opening Night

From 5:30 – 7:30pm on Monday 31^st March 2025 at the Vancouver Arts Centre (85 Vancouver Street, Albany).

 

Exhibition Dates

Monday 31^st March – Thursday 17^th April 2025.

Open from 10am – 4pm on Mondays – Fridays.

 

Awards Ceremony

headspace Albany will host an Awards Ceremony in the headspace Albany centre in May 2025 (date and time to be confirmed). All participating artists will be invited and can bring family and friends to this special occasion. Winning artworks will be displayed in the headspace Albany and winners officially and formally announced. 

 

When entering the Blank Walls Youth Art Competition & Exhibition, PLEASE READ the Terms and Conditions carefully BEFORE submitting your online entry form. Many problems and questions can be resolved by reading this information first.