2022 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize

Entries are now open for the 2022 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, Australia's pre-eminent award for small sculpture. Artists are invited to submit images of their proposed or completed original, freestanding and wall mounted sculptures. The submitted art works must also be non-site specific, three-dimensional and constructed of durable materials up to 80cm in any dimension.

The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is produced by Woollahra Council. Over its 21 year history, the prize has featured some of the world's most exciting contemporary sculptures, and continues to promote and celebrate artistic excellence. We are pleased to announce that the 2022 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize Exhibition of Finalists will now extend to 6 weeks in its beautiful permanent home, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf.

Submit your entry

Entries open Friday 1 April 2022 and close Friday 8 July 2022. View key dates

Online entries

Complete your entry online. Entries submitted online are encouraged.

Postal entries

Download and complete the 2022 entry form (PDF). Enclose a cheque, money order or PayPal receipt for AUD$50 (GST inclusive) per work, payable to Woollahra Council.

PayPal payments for postal entries: Select the 'Pay with PayPal' button below and follow the prompts.

Conditions of entry

Eligibility

1. For the purpose of The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, sculpture is defined as a freestanding, non-site specific, three-dimensional object or a wall-mounted object. Wall mounted work will, at a minimum, be required to demonstrate low relief.
2. Entries should not exceed 80cm in any dimension, and must have a stable base. The overall weight and dimensions must allow for easy transportation, and not exceed the carrying capacity of two average persons.
3. All entries must be the original work of the submitting artist and must have been designed or completed within two years prior to October 2022.
4. There is no limit to the number of entries an artist can submit. A separate application form and entry fee must accompany each entry. Only one work per artist will be shown in the exhibition.
5. A non-refundable entry fee of $50 inc GST must accompany each entered work. Entry fees contribute towards the cost of staging the Prize. Woollahra Council reserves the right to cancel or postpone the Prize and exhibition, in which case the entry fees will be refunded.

Selection Process

1. There will be two rounds of judging. The first round of pre-selection will close on Friday 8 July 2022.
2. It is anticipated that approximately 55 sculptures will be selected for the exhibition by the judges at pre-selection.
3. Judges will decide the winners of the 2022 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize and the Special Commendation Award from the works selected for exhibition.
4. The Mayor of Woollahra will decide the recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Award.
5. The 2022 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, Special Commendation Award and the Mayor’s Award will be announced at the opening of the exhibition (date to be announced).
6. The Viewers’ Choice Award will be announced following the conclusion of the exhibition.

Exhibition criteria and process

1. All works must be available for the full exhibition period. Exhibition, delivery and collection dates to be announced.
2. Artists selected for exhibition are responsible for the transport of their work to and from Woollahra Council. This includes freight and transport costs in both directions.
3. Artists selected for exhibition will be required to supply high resolution images of their final work as well as other suitable material as requested to assist with promotion of the exhibition.
4. All works exhibited in the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize will be for sale. Woollahra Council will deduct a commission of 40% plus 10% GST on this commission amount from the sale price of any works sold through the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize exhibition. Where appropriate, 50% of this commission will be paid to the artist’s representative, and 50% will contribute towards the costs of staging the Prize. For artists registered for GST, under this arrangement, Woollahra Council will not be responsible for remitting GST in relation to the sale of the artwork to the ATO, that will be the artist's responsibility. If the artist is registered for GST then they will need to factor GST into their sales price. The sale price listed on the entry form will remain as the final sale price on all promotional material if the artist is selected as a finalist.
5. All care will be taken when handling works, however Woollahra Council will not be responsible for loss, theft or damage. Artists are responsible for the shipping and insurance cover of their artworks.
6. The placement of all finalists’ works within the exhibition will be at the discretion of the Prize’s appointed curator/curatorial team.
7. Artists grant Woollahra Council and its licensees the right to reproduce their work and biographical material by any means in any media for archival and promotional purposes. The artist and their gallery (if applicable) will be properly acknowledged in such material.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Entering the Prize

1. Do I need to be a resident of the Woollahra Municipality to enter?
   No, the competition is open to all artists, whether they reside locally, regionally or internationally.
2. When and where can I obtain an entry form to the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize?
   You can complete your entry online, download an entry form or provide your address in an email to us for a hard copy entry form, from the opening of Call for Entries (1 April 2022). You can also subscribe to our e-news to receive entry information and updates.
3. I do not have enough space on the official entry form to complete the required information. What can I do?
   Additional pages may be utilised to complete your entry details. Please include the signed declaration on the official entry form as a record that you have read and understood the conditions of entry.
4. What are the maximum dimensions of the sculpture to be able to enter?
   The entries cannot exceed 80cm in any dimension and must have a stable base.
5. 'Freestanding' and wall mounted works
   In 2022 we will be accepting wall mounted sculptural work of low relief as a minimum as well as freestanding works.
6. Can I submit more than one entry?
   Yes, more than one entry per artist can be submitted. A separate entry form and fee for each work submitted is required.
7. Can I submit more than one piece to make up the same entry?
   Yes, more than one work may be submitted as one entry as long as the size requirements are fulfilled (under 80cm in any dimension).
8. What is the difference between the artist's statement and the artist's biographical statement?
   The artist's statement is a short paragraph detailing some information about the submitted work such as background to the work and what the work represents. The artist's biographical statement is a short paragraph which may include some details on the artist's educational, career, exhibition, commissions or collections history.
9. Does any shortlisting of entries occur before the judges are involved?
   No, the judges conduct the entire pre-selection process and final judging. This means that every single entry submitted will be viewed by the judges.

Finalists selected for exhibition

1. Can I supply my own plinth?
   There is flexibility for finalists to negotiate the use of their own plinths if required (e.g. if the work needs to be fixed or mounted in a unique way). If a custom made plinth is part of the work, then the dimensions of the plinth will be accounted for as part of the total dimensions of the work..
2. If I am unable to pick up my work in person, how can I have it returned?
   All finalists' works will be packed by staff ready for collection by your chosen party. It is the responsibility of the artist to arrange all transportation and payment of transportation costs associated with their work. In past years, artists have return couriered their work, as well as used Australia Post. There is no typical company used as it depends on the work and your preference of delivery.
3. If my work is purchased during the exhibition, am I responsible for delivery of the work to the buyer?
   In most cases, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize staff will facilitate any delivery communication between artist and buyer if required.

Supporting the Prize

1. How can I give a donation or provide sponsorship to the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize?
   All sponsorship is greatly appreciated and will contribute to the future development of the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize. Please contact Sebastian Goldspink, Art Gallery Coordinator via email sculpture@woollahra.nsw.gov.au for further information.