Hearten Art Prize (GG Connected)
Exhibition partner
The Hearten Art Prize is a prize exhibition created by Geelong Gallery’s GG Connected trainees. Exhibited at Geelong Library, the prize celebrates the creative voices of Geelong’s emerging artists aged 18-30.
Young creatives are invited to respond to the theme ‘inspiration’. Who or what inspires you and how has that shaped your practice?
Key dates
Entries open: Tuesday 26 August 2025
Entries close: Monday 8 September 2025, 5.00pm
Shortlist announced: Tuesday 9 September 2025
Works delivered to Geelong Gallery: Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 September 2025, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Exhibition dates: Wednesday 17 September to Monday 27 October (Geelong Library)
Works collected from Geelong Gallery: Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 November 2025, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Conditions of entry
1. Entries to the Hearten Art Prize will be exhibited at Geelong Library. Entrants may submit one work.
2. Using the online entry form on the Gallery website, entrants must submit a completed entry form, attach a digital image of their work and include an artist’s statement to be eligible for shortlisting. Upon lodgement, acknowledgement of entry will be sent to entrants via an automated email.
3. Upload digital image—one image will be accepted. Digital image to be supplied as a JPEG file, 300dpi. Images should be saved with the following details as the file name: artist’s surname_artist’s first name_title.jpeg. Entrants are advised to submit high quality images as those supplied at time of entry will be used by the Gallery for shortlisting, publication and promotion (should the work be selected for exhibition).
Only an image uploaded through the Geelong Gallery online entry form will be accepted.
4. An entry must be an original work of the entrant and must have been executed between 2024-2025.
5. An entry must be:
(a) A finished two-dimensional work not exceeding weight of 10kg;
(b) a work of dimensions not exceeding 100 cm (h) x 63 cm (w) (including frame). Multiple panels may be accepted where these constitute a single entry and do not exceed the specified dimensions in total. Width and height dimensions cannot be swapped;
(c) appropriate for public exhibition;
(d) provided with evidence of copyright clearance and/or citation for all non-original material used;
(e) submitted with an artist’s statement (max 100 words);
6. A correctly completed entry form accepting these conditions, artist’s statement and attached images must be lodged on the Gallery’s website by the closing date: Monday 8 September 2025 (5.00pm). Entries lodged after the closing date will not be processed.
7. The Gallery shall appoint the judging panel that will, in the first instance, view all entries (digital images) that comply with the conditions of entry and select a limited number of works for inclusion in the exhibition. The judging panel reserves the right to exhibit, or not exhibit, any work entered.
8. Each entrant whose work is selected for inclusion in the exhibition will be notified by email on Tuesday 9 September and will be required to deliver the selected work to the Gallery between Wednesday 10 September to Friday 12 September 2025 (during office hours). It is the responsibility of the entrant to arrange all aspects relating to the delivery of the work (whether personally or by an art courier). All associated costs are the responsibility of the entrant. Please note that substitutes for works first entered by the closing date will not be accepted. Unsuccessful entrants will be notified by email.
9. The selected work must be:
(a) available for display throughout the duration of the exhibition;
(b) professionally presented and ready for installation. It should be suitably prepared for hanging and D-rings must be attached to the back of the frame (or stretchers if unframed) on the left and right vertical edges to enable safe hanging from two points. Wires must not be attached. If, for any reason, the hanging system is unsuitable, under the conditions of entry, the entrant gives permission to the Gallery to attach a hanging system (such as D rings or hinges/tabs) to the selected work (or modify existing) for the duration of the exhibition;
(c) securely packaged to ensure safe transport to and from the Gallery. The packaging must be clearly labelled (with the entrant’s name, title and date of the work) and suitable for the Gallery to re-use for the return of the selected work.
The Gallery reserves the right to exclude works that do not meet the required standard for display.
10. The selected work will not be received at the Gallery unless free of charge to the Gallery. No payment will be made by the Gallery for freight, or any other charge incurred in the delivery and/or return of the selected artwork.
11. Best practice in the handling and care of works will be implemented at all times by Gallery staff, however, the Gallery will not be responsible for any loss or damage to any work in its possession or under its control. Each entrant shall indemnify the Gallery against any loss or damage suffered to the selected work. Insurance coverage is the full responsibility of the entrant (in transit and in-situ) and is recommended by the Gallery. Works will not be insured by the Gallery.
12. Each entrant specifically permits and authorises the Gallery to reproduce the selected work (in full or detail) via print or electronic media for publicity, reports, catalogues and any other publications related to the exhibition. The Gallery reserves the right to reproduce works in the subsequent promotion of the exhibition, the Gallery and GG Connected program.
13. The judging panel shall solely determine the shortlisted entries to be exhibited in the exhibition. The judging panel’s decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
14. The exhibition closes on Monday 27 October. The Gallery will contact entrants in the week commencing Monday 20 October 2025 seeking confirmation of arrangements for the collection of exhibited works. It is the responsibility of the entrant to arrange all aspects relating to the collection of the work (whether personally or by an art courier). All associated costs are the responsibility of the entrant.
15. Works can be collected from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 November 2025, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Should collection outside these hours be required, the Gallery must be informed of this at the time confirmation of arrangements for the collection of exhibited works is sought.
16. If the artist does not collect a work, the Gallery will give one month’s notice of intention to sell or otherwise dispose of the work, by sending a notice by email to the artist. The Gallery may then sell the work and, after deducting from the proceeds the costs of and incidental to the sale, shall hold any balance for the artist. If, however, it is the opinion of the Gallery that the work is unsaleable then the Gallery may destroy or otherwise dispose of it in any manner they deem fit and shall be under no liability whatsoever to the artist in respect of the work so destroyed or disposed of.
17. Best practice in the handling and care of works will be implemented at all times by Gallery staff, however, the Gallery will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered to any artwork in its possession or under its control and at the exhibition venue.
Entry form
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