M&C Saatchi Group and Saatchi Gallery have launched the third edition of their annual international art initiative – the Art for Change Prize.
The Art for Change Prize is free to enter and aims to make art, culture, and creativity accessible to everyone. The initiative celebrates emerging artistic talent and serves to highlight and promote dialogue around visual arts as a medium for positive global and social change.
Last year’s prize saw the total number of entries increase to over 3,000, a year-on-year rise of 20%, with entrants from artists based in 130 countries. 56% of entries were from developing nations in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
This year’s prize invites emerging artists to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues in the pursuit of a better tomorrow by responding to the theme Tomorrow’ing: Visions of a better future.
Justin Graham, CEO M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ, said: “At M&C Saatchi Group we’re dedicated to fostering the future of creativity. Our partnership with Saatchi Gallery strives to deepen access to the arts and provide meaningful support to the artists of tomorrow.
“The Art for Change Prize is about driving positive societal change, fuelled by our vision for a better future and our belief in the power of creativity to change the world.”
Paul Foster, Saatchi Gallery director, added: “Each year we invite artists to help us understand ourselves and show us a way forward. Each year we’re amazed at the submissions we receive and the talent that graces our exhibition space.”
Last year’s overall 2023 winner, artist Haining Wang from China, said: “Winning the Art for Change Prize has been an incredible opportunity to share my work with a broader audience at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery. As a recent graduate, I had never thought that I would win the overall prize.
“It has been an immense vote of confidence and huge encouragement for my practice and has given me the momentum and resources to commit to my career. I encourage emerging artists to contemplate this year’s theme and put their best work forward!”
To apply, artists must be aged 18 or over, within the first five years of active practice and be working in one or more of the following media: painting, drawing, illustration, photography, collage, 2D mixed-media, video, or film.