William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize
The Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) is proud to be presenting the prestigious William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize for another year, and continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting practicing Australian artists.
Over the last 17 years, the Bowness Photography Prize has emerged as an important annual survey of contemporary photographic practice in Australia and one of the most respected prizes in the country.
MAPh invites artists to submit still photo-based media including analogue and digital photography created over the last year for consideration. The winning work will be awarded $30,000 and will be acquired into MAPh’s nationally significant collection of Australian photographs.
One artist will also be selected for the $10,000 Wai Tang Commissioning Award which will coincide with the 2024 Bowness Photography Prize exhibition season. The Smith & Singer People’s Choice Award will be voted by the public with the recipient receiving $5,000.
The MAPh Foundation recognises the importance of supporting practicing artists, and the positive impact the prize money for both the winner and Smith & Singer People’s Choice Award will have on the recipients.
MAPh is also welcoming back Colour Factory as a supporter of the Honourable Mentions selected by the judges. Colour Factory is a fine art photographic studio in Melbourne offering fine art printing vouchers to the three recipients.
'The Bowness Photography Prize is an anchor to our annual programming, and with the continuation of the $10,000 Wai Tang Commissioning Award, the prize continues to increase the ways in which it grows and deepens its support of artists and their practice.
MAPh is committed to its ongoing pursuit in advocating for Australian photography, and in doing so, is incredibly proud to present the country's most prestigious photography award – the Bowness Photography Prize, for close to two decades.'
— Anouska Phizacklea, MAPh Director
'The MAPh Foundation are excited to once again sponsor the Bowness Photography Prize. It is important to the trustees that the prize identifies and recognises outstanding artistic talent and celebrates Australian photography as a whole. We look forward to seeing this year's finalists at the exhibition later in the year.'
— Kallie Blauhorn, Chair MAPh Foundation
Entries close – 5pm (AEST) Wednesday 14 June 2023
With an updated online entry form, submitting an application has never been easier or more secure, and artists can update their entry right up until the closing date.
Plus, with the launch of MAPh's new website, an archive of past finalists since 2013 is now available, creating a rich resource of contemporary Australian photographic practice – a useful resource for those thinking of entering.
Head to the MAPh website for entry specifications, including eligibility, judging, awards and frequently asked questions.