$20k Clarence Prize open for entries

Ashley Eriksmoen's winning piece for the 2021 Clarence Prize titled "Following years of steady decline we are witnessing a period of unprecedented growth".

The Clarence Prize is a biennial exhibition that celebrates innovative Australian furniture design and creation. In the words of the organisers, Clarence Arts & Events, aka Clarence City Council, Tasmania:

“The prize recognises furniture design that demonstrates quality of aesthetic, craftsmanship, ingenuity in function and purpose, material considerations and sustainability.

“The prize aims to demonstrate the breadth and diversity in Australian furniture design and making today. The prize welcomes entries that interrogate issues around ethical and sustainable design. Designs can be experimental, speculative, exhibiting craftsmanship, or design for production.”

One acquisitive prize of $20,000 will be awarded to the winner whose work will be acquired into the Clarence Art Collection. In addition, a non-acquisitive prize of $1,500 will also be awarded, as will a non-acquisitive encouragement award of $1,500 to an emerging designer.

Past Clarence Prize winners, left to right: Hugh Altschwager, Bronze Bench, 2017; Bernard Chandley, Lowbow Dining Chair, 2016; Nicholas Fuller, Voyage, 2017. Photos: Samuel Shelly

Interstate finalists should note they are eligible to receive up to $500 towards freighting their final entry to Rosny Farm, Tasmania.

This year's judges are 2021 Clarence Art Prize winner Ashley Eriksmoen, Head of Furniture at the ANU School of Art and Design. Lucy Given has been a judge for Design Tasmania design awards and has lectured on store design, visual merchandising and regional retail at Life Instyle and Reed Gift Fairs. Megan Perkins is Chair of Design Tasmania and a multidisciplinary creative with a strong passion for design.

The closing date for entries April 14, 2023.  The ensuing exhibition opens September 14, 2023 and runs until October 15, 2023. Learn more here.