Photo courtesy Cornwell Design

The Melbourne Prize Trust and annual Melbourne Prize

Launched in 2004, the Melbourne Prize Trust recongises and rewards excellence and talent, inspires creative development and enriches public life. The Trust achieves these aims by running the annual Melbourne Prize, which is funded by a collaboration of partnerships and patrons.

To date, approximately $1 million has been made available to Victorian artists via the annual Melbourne Prize, plus exhibitions, residencies and international travel. The Trust is an Income Exempt Charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status.

The annual Melbourne Prize is one of the most valuable creative development initiatives of its kind in Australia. It runs on a three-year cycle and rewards sculptors, writers and musicians in turn.

The current cycle is:

/ Melbourne Prize for Music (2016)
/ Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture (2017)
/ Melbourne Prize for Literature (2018)

The annual Melbourne Prize is unique, celebrating artistic excellence under the banner of Melbourne.

The major event of the annual Melbourne Prize is the free two-week public exhibition of finalists work and the prize announcement held each November at Federation Square. The public has the ability to vote for a finalist to win the Civic Choice Award. The exhibition increases the public’s exposure and access to the creativity of our community and enhances Melbourne’s reputation as a cultural capital.

The origins of the Trust date back to the establishment of the children’s garden precinct at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and the commissioning of The Magic Pudding sculpture in 2000. Proceeds from the sale of limited edition miniatures of this landmark sculpture contribute to the Trust.

History

The Melbourne Prize Trust was established as an Income Tax Exempt Charity and Deductible Gift Recipient in 2004 and commenced the annual Melbourne Prize in 2005.

The founder of the Trust, Simon Warrender, announced the annual Melbourne Prize, following the unveiling of his project being the commissioning of The Magic Pudding sculpture, as a centerpiece of a new children’s garden precinct in Melbourne’s CBD.

The prize is established to provide opportunities for artists and recognise and reward excellence and talent, inspire creative development and enrich public life.

Proceeds from the sale of miniatures of the Royal Botanic Garden’s sculpture of The Magic Pudding contribute to the Melbourne Prize Trust. Click here to order a miniature.

The first three year cycle of the annual Melbourne Prize commenced with the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2005. The Trust funds the annual Melbourne Prize through cross-sector partnerships from the government and private sectors, and private patrons. The annual Melbourne Prize is open to Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents and residents of the State of Victoria. The home of the annual Melbourne Prize is Federation Square, where an exhibition of finalists, according to each cycle, is held each November. All recipients are announced on this website.

Click here to email the Melbourne Prize Trust about making a tax-deductible donation.

Thank you for visiting our website and your interest in the annual Melbourne Prize.

The annual Melbourne Prize was founded by Simon Warrender with the foundation assistance of the Committee for Melbourne.

Donations

The Melbourne Prize Trust is supported by tax-deductible public donations to the Melbourne Prize Fund and corporate sponsorship. The Trust is listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations with Deductible Gift Recipient status for the Melbourne Prize Fund.

The Melbourne Prize Fund is used, along with sponsors and patrons, to contribute to the activities of the Melbourne Prize Trust and annual Melbourne Prize.

Click here for contact details to enquire about making a tax-deductible donation to the Melbourne Prize Fund.