Central Coast Council’s Gosford Art Prize – the region’s premier art awards – returns in 2020 with a new COVID-safe process for entrants.

For the first time in the 50-year history of the prestigious Gosford Art Prize finalists will be selected from online entries to provide a COVID-safe entry system.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said more than 500 artists from across Australia are expected to compete for the $25,000 prize pool.

“The Gosford Art Prize and the exhibition of the finalists’ work is always a highlight and we are thrilled that we are able to proceed with the competition in what has been a challenging year to say the least,” Ms Vaughan said.

“We have to do things a little differently this year and artists competing in the Prize will need to submit digital images of their works online.

“Only selected finalists will be asked to deliver their physical work and we will proceed with the Gosford Art Prize exhibition as in previous years.

“The Gosford Art Prize is a Central Coast institution and supports local artists and artists from across the country.”

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the cultural and economic benefits of the Gosford Art Prize were significant.

“Art brings us together, inspires us and challenges us and in 2020 the Gosford Art Prize is more important than ever,” Mayor Matthews said.

“It is wonderful that we’ve been able to think outside the box to continue to offer the prize this year, which provides our region with both a cultural and economic boost.

“Approximately 24,000 people will visit the Gosford Art Prize exhibition at the Gosford Regional Gallery and 40 percent of visitors will come from outside our region, which represents a great tourism boost for the Coast.”

Artists who submit works for the Gosford Art Prize compete across the following categories:

• First Prize – $15,000
• Second Prize – $5,000
• Aboriginal Art Prize – $2,500
• Gosford Ceramics Prize – $2,000
• Highly Commended – $1,000 (two prizes)
• Viewer’s Choice Award – $500

Entries for the Gosford Art Prize open on 1 August and close on 30 August, with finalists announced on 4 September. The Gosford Art Prize Exhibition will be at the Gosford Regional Gallery from 26 September to 29 November.

For details on the Prize, the entry process and submission of works got to info.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/gosfordartprize