Emerge Youth Art Awards

The City of Nedlands' prestigious Emerge Youth Art Awards is back in 2025 for its 13th year!

Each year the City of Nedlands is proud to present the Emerge Youth Art Awards and Exhibition. This is the biggest event in the City's youth program, attracting emerging young artists from across the state to showcase and celebrate their talent for a public audience. Enter the awards as an artist for an opportunity to have your work recognised by our judges with one of several cash prizes.

For our local community, the exhibition is an opportunity to immerse yourself in creativity while supporting young and early career artists. The exhibition will be free to view at the City's much-loved Tresillian Arts Centre and visitors will be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite piece in the People's Choice Award.

Please follow along on socials for some exciting announcements during the exhibition program!

  • Emerge Youth Art Awards submissions open Friday 28 March.
  • Entries close Monday 14 July.
  • The Exhibition Opening and Awards Night will be on Saturday 26 July at Tresillian Arts Centre, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Artists' family and friends are welcome to attend.
  • We welcome 2D or 3D submissions from artists aged 12-25.
  • Artists can submit up to two artworks.
  • There are five prize categories, please see details below.
  • Please read the Conditions of Entry below to ensure that you and your artwork are eligible.

To enter, please click here to complete the Submission Form.

Download your Artwork Label here.

A very special thank you to Emerge Youth Art Awards category sponsors Jacksons Drawing Supplies and Oxlades Art Supplies.

Need some advice, more info or some help? Please email Tessa Dorotich, Community Development Officer Arts & Culture on tdorotich@nedlands.wa.gov.au.

Important info for Emerge Entrants

Key Dates

Friday 28 March – Entries Open. To enter, please complete the Submission Form & attach an Artwork Label to each artwork submitted.

Monday 14 July – Entries Close

Monday 21 July – Artwork drop-off at Tresillian Arts Centre between 3.00pm-7.00pm

Saturday 26 July – Opening Night from 4.00pm-6.00pm at Tresillian Arts Centre, 21 Tyrell Street, Nedlands

Exhibition open Monday to Friday from 9.00am-4.00pm & Sundays from 1.00pm-4.00pm

Sunday 3 August - Melissa Clements artist talk from 2.00pm-3.30pm. Free event; registrations opening soon

Sunday 10 August - Judy Rogers curatorial talk from 2.00pm-3.00pm. Free event; registrations opening soon

Friday 22 August – Exhibition closes

Saturday 23 August – Artwork Collection at Tresillian Arts Centre

Prize Categories

Open Award
First Prize $500 
Commendation $250

Resident's Award
First Prize $500 
Commendation $250

People's Choice Award
First Prize $500 

Under 18 Award
First Prize $250   

Conditions of Entry

  1. Limit of two entries (pieces) per entrant, works can be of different mediums.
  2. The artwork submitted must be original and have been completed after 31 July 2024. Click here for the Submission Form.
  3. No entry fees are required.
  4. All entries are eligible for the Open Award, and People’s Choice Award however only residents living within the City of Nedlands' local government area are eligible for the Resident’s Award. Proof of residency will be required from the winner. You can check the City of Nedlands map here.
  5. Entrants must have been born between 14 July 2000 and 14 July 2013.
  6. Only entrants under the age of 18 years at the time of entry are eligible for the Under 18 Award.
  7. Entrants must have turned 12 and be under the age of 26 by the final submission date, Monday 14 July 2025.
  8. Proof of age will be required from all winners before collecting prizes.
  9. Delivery of artwork is on Monday 14 July between 3.00pm and 7.00pm. Works submitted after the delivery deadline will not be included in the exhibition. Artwork collection will be on Saturday 23 August 2025, 9am - 12pm.
  10. Works left uncollected after Saturday 30 August 2025 will be disposed of.
  11. 2D work must not exceed 1m x 1m.
  12. 3D work must not exceed 60cm x 60cm x 60cm.
  13. Artworks that exceed the size requirements will not be accepted.
  14. All artworks must be dry/sprayed with fixative before being dropped off.
  15. Entries can be framed or unframed. Unframed artworks will be mounted by a method of the curator’s choice. Artworks must have appropriate hanging equipment, i.e. D rings, attached prior to drop off. All 2D artwork must be either framed or mounted with a backing board and matt, ready for hanging. Framed artworks should have suitable hanging devices (D rings with nylon poly cord). Please no sawtooth hangers. Unframed, mounted artworks will be hung with bull clips. Bowed or warped artwork (framing or stretcher bars) will not be accepted.
  16. Please contact Tessa Dorotich, Community Development Officer for Arts & Culture, to discuss your display requirements.
    Email: tdorotich@nedlands.wa.gov.au
    Phone: (08) 9273 3500
  17. Artwork must be labelled with artist’s name, name of the artwork, dimensions in cm, whether the artist is a City of Nedlands local government area resident, and the artist's date of birth, at time of artwork drop-off (labels provided at time of drop off). Click here for the Artwork Label.
  18. All works must be deemed appropriate to be exhibited at a family exhibition. The organiser retains the right to deem any works unsuitable and therefore not eligible to be displayed.
  19. As exhibition space is limited, the organiser reserves the right to not display all entries, although we strive to display as many artworks as possible.
  20. All decisions by judges of the awards are final.
  21. All due care will be taken with artworks. However, the City of Nedlands will not take responsibility for any damaged or stolen artwork.
  22. The City of Nedlands reserves the right to use photographs taken of entries, entrants and the opening event, for promotional purposes.

Check out past entries for some inspiration!