BigCi (Bilpin international ground for creative initiatives) is offering two environmental awards to artists responding to environmental or ecological issues, or exploring ideas and concepts related to nature. The aim of the awards is to educate the wider audience about the beauty and fragility of the environment and the importance of its protection.
The two winners will each receive a four-week residency at BigCi (valued at $2,000), $3,000 prize money, the opportunity to explore the Wollemi, Blue Mountains and Garden of Stones National Parks and research assistance relevant to their projects.
The awards will be judged by an independent panel: Elizabeth Ann MacGregor, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art; Chris Tobin, Darug elder, artist and cultural educator for National Parks; and Lisa Cox, environment reporter, The Guardian Australia.
In previous years, the environmental awards have attracted submissions from artists in more than 54 countries. However, due to the difficulty of international travel, this awards program will be open to Australia-based artists only, providing a unique opportunity for local artists.
Australian artists from various fields, including visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography and film making, are invited to apply for the awards. BigCi is looking for inspirational projects that will be executed within the residency time frame.
Artists can choose to deal with environmental or natural science issues, explore ideas and concepts related to nature, or creatively respond to the unique wilderness on our doorstep. Relevance to the BigCi location in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains is essential. Submissions close February 12. See bigci.org.