The Young Creatives Awards are now open to young people aged between 12 – 24, who study, work or live in the Inner West Council area.
The competition provides young people the opportunity to hone creative skills in a competitive environment and to have their work seen and published.
There are two streams:
Young Writers Award
A written piece of 1,000 words - whether a review, a fan fiction, a poem or a piece of prose.
Young Artists Award
An artwork, illustration or a sculpture submitted as a photograph or photographs. The piece should not exceed A3 in size.
Each award has three categories: (12 – 15 years), (16 -18 years) and (19-24 years).
The inspiration can come from any item in the Inner West Library collections including the digital collection which encompasses newspapers, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks and digital books and the local history online archives or the physical collection.
First prize for each age group in each category is $500 cash. The runner-up receives $250 cash.
The 2021 judges are Nadia Wheatley and Ursula Dubosarsky (Writers Award) and artist Carmel Byrnes and photographer Adrian Cook (Artists Award).
Last year Augustine Flett won in the 19-24 years category. "I want to be creative for the rest of my life. It doesn't only give purpose and meaning - my art is purely mine, there are not structures or systems in place that can take that away from me," he said.
2020 Young Writer winner Lily Cameron's work was described by judge Nadia Wheatley as, "clever, complex and challenges the reader. On first reading it was great. On second reading, it was brilliant."
Ms Cameron said her essay was inspired by her mother. "I'm very grateful to be awarded first place," she said.
For the full list of last year's winners, go to www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au.
Submissions close Saturday 31 July 2021.
