The Bridge Art Prize 2025 celebrates both Tasmanian creativity and the construc­tion of the New Bridgewater Bridge. Launched by Derwent Valley Arts and McConnell Dowell, along with key industry partners, this initiative invites artists across Tasmania to in­terpret what the Bridge means to them through a wide array of media, from painting and sculpture to music and anima­tion.

With a prize pool of over $36,000, including the main prize of $25,000, the compe­tition not only celebrates the construction of Tasmania’s largest transport infrastructure project but also aims to estab­lish a legacy fund to support youth art programs in the Derwent Valley.

In addition to the main prize, The Bridge Art Prize will award honors for highly recommend­ed entries, a people’s choice award, two youth categories (ages 14 and under, and ages 15 to 18), and a special category for artists directly involved in the bridge’s construction.

Entries will be evaluated by a respected panel of judges, including Tasmanian gallery owner Emma Bett, artist Ray Arnold and Department of State Growth Secretary Craig Limkin. Approximately 60 finalists will be selected to exhibit their work at the 9B Studios in New Norfolk, where the pieces will be available for purchase in a month-long exhibition from 5 April to 27 April 2025.

Artists have until 17 January 2025 to get their entries in, with finalists being notified by mid-February 2025. For more information visit www.derwentvalley.art/about-the-bridge-art-prize.