2024 North Queensland Ceramic Awards

The biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards has long aimed to increase public exposure to a high standard of pottery from around the nation. A showcase for both well-known and emerging artists, this competition displays the diversity of ceramic art currently being produced in Australia.

The City of Townsville Art Collection Award of $10,000 continues to provide an opportunity for artists to become a part of one of the nation's most significant ceramic collections, as well as ensuring the continued growth of this important subsection of the City of Townsville Art Collection.

Selected works will be on display at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from 18 October 2024 to 2 February 2025 and will be eligible in various categories beyond the major City of Townsville Art Collection Award.

Townsville City Council (Council) acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders – past and present – and all future generations.

Artists are invited to submit online applications for the biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards to be held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville, from 18 October 2024 to 2 February 2025.

Applications must be submitted online using the SmartyGrants platform, prior to 11am Tuesday 16th July 2024.

Applications submitted in hard copy format or via email will not be accepted.

KEY DATES

Applications Close: 11.00am (AEST) Tuesday 16 July 2024

Artists advised of Selection: Friday 16 August 2024

Delivery of Artworks:

Tuesday 1 October 2024 to Sunday 6 October 2024
During gallery opening hours.
Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday 10am – 1pm

Official Opening: 6pm Friday 18 October 2024

Major Acquisitive Prize Winner’s Announcement between 6PM and 8PM (AEST) Friday 18 October 2024

People’s Choice Award Prize Winner’s Announcement between 10AM and 5PM (AEST) Wednesday 22 January 2025

Exhibition Period: 18 October 2024 to 2 February 2025

Collection of Artworks: 6 February 2025 to 7 February 2025

Note: Excluding the Artwork which wins the Major Acquisitive Prize which is to be transferred to Council and incorporated into the City of Townsville Art Collection

AWARDS CATEGORIES

Major Acquisitive Prize: $10,000

People's Choice Award: $1,000

Council collects and manages personal information in the course of performing its activities, functions and duties. We respect the privacy of the personal information held by us. The way in which Council manages personal information is governed by the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). We are collecting your personal information in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) in order to select, exhibit and promote submitted Artworks in the 2024 North Queensland Ceramic Awards, displays and public programming.

Details will be retained for no purpose unrelated to the exhibition. Generally, we will not disclose your personal information outside of Council unless we are required to do so by law, or unless you have given us your consent to such disclosure.

However, in performing the above functions, we will need to disclose your personal information to the independent judging panel.

Further, by entering this competition, you consent to Council displaying your Artist Name, Artwork Details, Artwork Statement and Artist Biography on promotional materials both physical and online.

For further information about how we manage your personal information please see our Information Privacy Policy available on the Council website here

If you have any questions while completing your application form, please contact Perc Tucker Regional Gallery by phone on (07) 4727 9011 or via email at galleries@townsville.qld.gov.au

Selection, Eligibility and Entry

Entry is in accordance with and is deemed acceptance of these conditions and the entrant (Artist) is bound by and shall perform and observe all obligations upon the Artist pursuant to these conditions.

Awards are strictly open to ceramic artworks. No other media will be accepted.

Entry is open to all local, interstate and international artists.

All entries submitted by the Artist must be the original work and concept of the Artist and works must not have previously won a prize. Only recently created artworks may be considered for the competition, artworks created prior to October 2022 are ineligible. Artists should note that this includes moulds, which must also be the original unaided work of the Artist. Commercial moulds are not acceptable and will not be judged.
Any two dimensional works must be mounted and ready for hanging/display.

A third party may not enter any works on behalf of an Artist.

A maximum of three (3) entries may be submitted.
There is no limitation on the size of works, however, the work must be made using ceramic material.

Entry in the Awards is through pre-selection from photographs and digital image/s of each artwork entered. Artists are NOT to submit original works of art for the pre-selection process.

Artists are required to submit:

• A completed online entry form
• A digital image of the Artwork in .TIFF or .JPEG format of at least 300dpi min high image quality
• “About the Work”- statement related to the entry (no more than 150 words)
• “About the Artist”- artist biography (no more than 150 words)
• A non-refundable administration fee of AUD $25 per entry
  
  

Please note that the artwork image you provide will be used in the publication if your entry is successful.

The information provided for “About the Artist” and “About the Work” may be used in the

publication. The Galleries reserves the right to edit this text where needed. Content will not

be changed, only spelling and grammatical structure will be edited if needed.

Artworks selected for exhibition will be as chosen by a panel of judges appointed by Townsville City Galleries.

The panel of judges will apply the following criteria in determining the Artwork/s to be selected for the North Queensland Ceramic Awards exhibition period:

- Aesthetic Appeal

- Technique and skill

- Creativity and originality of Artwork

- Artwork concept

- Image quality (high quality 300 dpi min)

All Artworks will be viewed by the judges. However, not all works may be exhibited. Townsville City Galleries reserves the right to select works for the exhibition and to reject entries that do not comply with the selection, eligibility, and entry requirements.

Artists will be advised of the outcome from pre-selection on or before 11am Friday 16th August 2024. Selected Artists will be notified by email.

Any two-dimensional works must be mounted and ready for hanging/display.

Artworks will be put on display for the duration of the exhibition, 18^th October 2024 to 2^nd February 2025 and must not be removed before Thursday 6^th February 2025

Townsville City Galleries will not exhibit any artwork forwarded for exhibition which is not the submitted entry.

Artists entering the North Queensland Ceramic Award will retain copyright in their Artwork.

Artists whose Artwork/s are selected for exhibition agree to grant Council a non-exclusive, royalty free, and irrevocable licence to:

• Use the Artwork for the period of the Exhibition; and

for a period of August 2024 to 22 June 2029 to

• use reproductions of their Artwork; and
• use any photographs, images, video or footage of the Artworks taken by Council.

Including for:

• promotional purposes in connection with advertising the exhibition such as on social media platforms, television, print, press, email and Council’s website; and
• educational purposes; and
• reporting and archives associated with the exhibition.

Council may also produce electronically and/or hardcopy booklets of the selected Artworks together with a description of the Artwork and the Artist. Council may sell the hardcopy booklets and will be entitled to retain any and all income generated. Physical copies of the booklet will be limited to the amount of 1000.

By entering the competition, the Artist consents to this non-exclusive, royalty free and irrevocable licence. The Artist acknowledges that no fee is payable by Council to the Artist for this non-exclusive, royalty free and irrevocable licence unless the Artist is the winner of the Major Acquisitive Prize or the People Choice Award.

The winner of the Major Acquisitive Prize provides to Council a non-exclusive, royalty free and irrevocable licence in perpetuity to use the Artwork for any purpose including any reproductions, images, video or footage of the Artwork. The Artwork will be incorporated into the City of Townsville Art Collection

Council acknowledges that the Artist has moral rights in their Artwork.

Council will respect those rights, will not subject the Artwork to any derogatory treatment and will credit the Artist whenever their Artwork is used.

Council will not make any major changes to the Artwork without the Artist’s consent.

Council may make minor changes such as slightly cropping the Artwork to fit on documents.

Council will consult with the Artist about any reproductions of the Artwork on promotional items and provide samples for the Artists review.

The Artist must inform Council if there is any Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) in the Artwork and if so, the Artist must inform Council if the display of their Artwork or an image of the Artwork must be accompanied by an ICIP notice which must:

• acknowledge the inclusion of traditional ritual knowledge of a community;
• include consent from the custodians of that community; and
• that dealing with any part of the work for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of that community.

Council will not display or use any Artwork in a context that might be considered by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community to be inappropriate, derogatory, degrading, or offensive.

Council acknowledges in the event of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander death, the subsequent use of their likeness may be culturally inappropriate, and that, upon notification of the Artist’s or subject’s (the person who appears in the artwork) death Council agree to remove the Artwork from any promotional material or publication under Council control if requested by a member of the Artist’s or subject’s family or representative to the extent reasonably practicable.

Successful Artists whose Artwork has been selected for exhibition must deliver their Artworks to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Townsville strictly during gallery opening hours between Tuesday 1^st October 2024 until Sunday 6^th October 2024.

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is open Tuesday – Friday between 10am – 5pm & Saturday – Sunday between 10am – 1pm.

Artworks delivered to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery prior to or after these dates will not be accepted and Council will have no obligation to the Artist.

Please label your delivery as follows:

RE: NORTH QUEENSLAND CERAMIC AWARDS

Artist Name:

Artwork Title:

Delivery address:

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Corner of Flinders St & Denham St Townsville City QLD 4810

Photo of Artwork:

Include any install instructions you may have for your artwork within your package.

The winner of the North Queensland Ceramic Awards will be awarded the Major Acquisitive Prize.

When an art competition is described as “acquisitive,” it means that Council will retain possession of the winning Artwork. Essentially, the prize serves as a purchase of the piece.

Accordingly, Council will acquire and take possession of the winning Artwork for the lessor of:

• $10,000.000; or
• The sale price of the Artwork listed on the application.

The remaining selected Artworks will be displayed for the sale price indicated in the entry form and will remain fixed for the duration of the exhibition.

This sale price must take into consideration the 30% Commission to be taken by Council.

The Artist agrees and consents to Council transacting with any respective purchasers on behalf of the Artist for the sale of the Artwork for the list price on the entry form.

Subject to payment of the sale proceeds to Council in accordance with the conditions of sale entered into between the purchaser and Council, the net sale proceeds (70% of the sale price) will be paid to the Artist within thirty (30) days of exhibition closure. Payment will be made in Australian dollars.

Please select if you do not wish to have your artwork available for purchase by the public noting that the winner of the Major Acquisitive Prize cannot object to the transfer of the Artwork to Council. 

All Artwork must be securely packed, and packaging should be suitable for return. Artworks that are not wrapped suitably for travel will not be accepted.

The cost of freight and insurance for Artworks during transit will be the responsibility of the Artist.

No payment whatsoever will be made by Council for freight or other charges incurred in the delivery or return of entries.

After the close of the exhibition all works not sold must be collected from Perc Tucker Regional Gallery during business hours on Thursday 6^th February 2025 – Friday 7^th February 2025.

Return freight must be arranged by the Artist and is not the responsibility of Council.

Upon collection of the Artwork, the Artist must sign a collection receipt. If another person or carrier will be collecting on behalf of the Artist, this person must be nominated to Townsville City Galleries in advance.

Where arrangements have not been made for collection or return freight by the due date, Council reserves the right to sell or otherwise dispose of the Artwork on the expiration of thirty (30) days from exhibition closure. On this date, the Artist acknowledges that the Artwork has been abandoned and the Artist forfeits all rights and entitlements to the Artwork.

Townsville City Galleries will make reasonable endeavours to contact an Artist who has not collected their Artwork over that thirty (30) day period.

Each Artist is and shall be responsible for maintaining their own insurance cover during transit.

Council:

a) will maintain agreed insurance cover against loss, damage, theft and destruction of the Artwork for the period of the exhibition.

b) will ensure that such insurance is for a sum not less than the agreed value of the Artwork.

c) will pay the Artist the agreed value of the Artwork if lost, stolen or irreparably damaged; or,

d) will pay the Artist the reasonable costs of repairs to the Artwork if it is repairable.

The Artist agrees that the amount payable is the Artist’s sole remedy in respect of any loss or damage to the Artwork or in the event the Artwork is stolen.

Townsville City Galleries will appoint an industry-recognised figure to judge, select and announce the major acquisitive prize-winning work. The judge's decision will be final, and correspondence will not be entered between Council and the Artist in respect of the decision.

Townsville City Galleries will announce the major acquisitive prize-winning Artwork at the exhibition launch and via the Gallery's social media platforms following the judge's decision. Major Acquisitive Prize Winner’s Announcement between 6PM and 8PM (AEST) Friday 18 October 2024.

The People’s Choice Award will be awarded to the Artwork which receives the largest number of votes from the public for their favourite Artwork during the exhibition period. Voting will open on Friday 18 October 2024 and run until 11.59pm on Sunday 19^th January 2025.

Votes can be made online or in person up to 11.59pm on Sunday 19^th January 2025.  

Votes will be tallied and the winner announced on Wednesday 22^nd of January 2025, before 5pm.

The Artist will receive $1,000.00 from the Council, however, will retain possession of their Artwork and will collect their Artwork as described during business hours between Thursday 6^th February 2025 – Friday 7^th February 2025.

The prize and award amounts will be paid to the respective Artists within thirty (30) days of the winner/s being announced.

All applicants must agree to pay the non-refundable administration fee of $25.00 AUD per Entry. Payment can be made over the counter or by phone at the Townsville Civic Theatre 4727 9797, located at 41 Boundary Street, South Townsville Queensland 4810. Alternatively, you can pay online before 11am Tuesday 16 July 2024.

Please reference your Smarty Grants application number and code CERAMIC when paying. Failure to make payment by the due date will result in the application being rejected from entry.

Townsville Civic Theatre is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed on public holidays).

Works selected for exhibition will be chosen by a panel of judges appointed by Townsville City Galleries in conjunction with the North Queensland Potters Assoc. Inc.

Artists will be advised of the outcome from pre-selection on or before 5pm Friday 16 August 2024.
Selected Artists will be notified by email.

Artists whose works are selected for exhibition must allow their work to be reproduced for

promotional, review, and educational purposes and/or future promotional use of Townsville

City Galleries, Townsville City Council, the North Queensland Potters’ Assoc. Inc., and

the exhibition sponsors, including but not limited to those works acquired via the North Queensland Ceramic Awards. Entry is and shall be deemed authorisation by the Artist to these parties.

Artworks will be put on display for the duration of the exhibition, 18 October 2024 to 2 February 2025 and shall not be removed before 6 February 2025.

Townsville City Galleries will not exhibit any work forwarded for the exhibition which is not the submitted entry.

Please confirm that you, the applicant, agree to all of the below criteria and conditions as

part of your entry