In the lead up to the 2023 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look into how First Nations creatives can use art prizes as a lifeline and a milestone in their careers.

Being a creative can be tough, as I’m sure many of you know. There is a constant tightrope act going on which usually involves trying to balance your creative output with some sort of consistent income stream. The hurdles are constant and numerous as most artists need to also balance the cost of materials, workspace and even exhibiting costs. In many cases, people who are still establishing their creative practice will end up trying to carve out extra time to create when you would usually be resting.

And while the romantic notion of late nights in the studio will probably be part of every artist’s journey, the reality is that for a lot of people, juggling this kind of pressure on top of working can lead to burn out, and ends up negatively impacting both your work life and your creative practice.

So, what is the solution to this age-old problem? For some of us, a little bit of extra work in the present may lead to a significant payout in the future. I’m talking here about art prizes, of which there are a considerable amount set up for establishing, mid and late career First Nations artists.

Straight off the bat, it may seem crazy to be adding more work in the form of art prize applications to your already stacked workload, however sometimes payoff can outweigh the expenditure when it comes to art prizes, as they can provide more than just financial benefits in both the short and long-term.

How are they set up?

Art Prizes often require artists to fill a certain niche, whether this be practice based e.g., painting or sculpture etc and then a certain demographic, for some this may be Indigenous Artists 18-30.

Once you have figured out the prizes you are eligible for, you will often need to complete an artist’s statement to explain your practice, inspirations and desire to apply for the prize. Some or most prizes will then require you to submit a previous or custom-made work that is in line with the art prizes criteria.

While this may seem like a daunting formality, the rewards can be massive, and you never know if you might just win. Art prizes often have a top prize and then another host of prizes to applicants. The monetary aspect may be a considerable amount that some artists use to reinvest in better quality materials or workspaces. Art prizes can also look great on a resume, and in turn set you up to win other prizes in the future. They are an integral piece to any creatives portfolio and may just take you from the grind of working and creating to a life that pays you to create.

There are numerous prizes that can be found with just a quick search, however going through government, university or gallery websites is a great start for putting a list together, then all you have to do is apply on time. Of course, there is a chance that you may not win, but there is also the chance that your talent will get you over the line, and you may just change your life forever.

Like every article on TomorrowMoney, this is not personal financial advice. If you need help, you can contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.