Established in 2000, the Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF) works in partnership with the community to enrich the creative life and cultural future of Ballarat. The Foundation raises funds throughout the year to provide grants for emerging artists from all disciplines who have lived, worked, or studied, in Ballarat at some stage of their practice.

In addition to the annual grants and awards round, the Foundation invites visual arts alumni to exhibit in the Eureka Art Awards every two years, giving patrons, donors and the local community a chance to follow their progress as artists and perhaps reconnect with those no longer residing in the region. All works are for sale.

The Eureka Awards includes $3000 in prizes and includes a People’s Choice Award, voted for by the public and awarded at the conclusion of the three-week event.

The 2018 Eureka Art Award judge will be the new director of the Art Gallery Ballarat Louise Tegart, with AGB curator Julie McLaren presenting the award on the night. 

The 2016 winner of both the judge’s award and the People’s Choice was local rising star Kim Anderson, recently featured at the Art Gallery of Ballarat as part of the Biennale of Australian Art (BOAA).

Although she actually received a 2018 Grant for writing, George (Georgina) Williams will be performing as the feature musician for the event.

“George is a great example of the BAF alumni, in that many of them are creative in a range of fields,” BAF board member and co-coordinator Kiri Smart said. 

“Her grant this year was to further her development as a writer, but she is also an accomplished musician, singer and teacher – creativity is rarely one dimensional, and as the Ballarat Arts Foundation grants are open to all disciplines, it is really lovely to celebrate this at the opening event.” 

Supported by the Federation University Post Office Gallery for the past decade, the prize is designed not only to celebrate the artists but also to provide information about the Foundation and how local people and businesses interested in the arts can support culture within their own community.

“Many well known artists exhibit or perform in major cities but live and practice in regional and rural places,” said Ms Smart.

“Ballarat is beautifully placed for artists, with supportive venues, cheaper rent, open spaces and close proximity to Melbourne. I found the arts community is very supportive here, it’s certainly the reason I moved here, and it is great to see organisations like BAF encourage emerging artists.

“With the new Visit Ballarat campaign “Made in Ballarat and the Council’s new Creative Cities Strategy in production it’s great to see the city embracing the benefits of culture in the community both holistically and financially.”

The Eureka Art Award is free entry and will show at the Post Office Box Gallery alongside Delve18, featuring the work of Fed Uni Arts Academy Research students.

The 2018 Eureka Art Award will be announced at the opening on Friday November 16 with the exhibition continuing through to Saturday December 8.

The Post Office Gallery is located on the corner of Lydiard St and Sturt St. Opening hours are from Wednesday to Saturday from 12 – 5pm.

This year’s represented artists:

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