The finalists have been chosen, the votes in the People's Choice have been cast and the exhibition is on its way.
Things are ramping up for an already popular national art competition which started in Canberra in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic. But there has been a name change. The National Capital Art Prize has quietly become the National Contemporary Art Prize.
Local art gallery owner Bob Stephens launched the competition in 2021, saying a national art prize was long overdue for the national capital.
But he, more recently, wanted to broaden its appeal, subtly changing its name, but handily maintaining the acronym.
"While we will still refer to it as NCAP, this change aligns the competition's name more closely with the art it represents rather than its city of origin," he said.
"NCAP celebrates Australia's vast capacity for diverse and remarkable artistic expression, showcasing how our artists blend traditional and contemporary mediums to create innovative artworks.
"We will continue to encourage artists to produce work that reflects today's social, cultural, and historical context-ranging from personal to political. We welcome concepts that resonate, transmit, influence, and comment on Australian society and our aspirations for a sustainable future.
"No other aspects have changed; the categories remain consistent, the familiar faces are still here."
The competition was originally aimed to lift the spirits of artists, many of whom couldn't display or sell their work during the COVID pandemic.
It was also designed to minimise the restrictions often placed on artists in competitions. Entries in the Open and First Nations can be painted however the artist wants. Entries in the Sustainability category can be any medium.
This year, there is a total prize pool of more than $45,000.
The winners will be announced next Thursday night, September 27.
And all the finalists' work will be on exhibition at Aarwun Galley at Gold Creek from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, October 13.
