Meroogal Women’s Art Prize
Museums of History NSW is excited to announce that entries are now open for the 2024 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, with a prize pool of over $10,000.
Women artists from across NSW are invited to submit works, in any medium, that respond to the historic house of Meroogal, its former occupants, and its meaning within broader historical and contemporary contexts. Selected artworks will be displayed throughout the property, which is located on the NSW South Coast. These works will provide new perspectives on the personal stories of the people who once lived there and the rich collection of objects that are still contained within the house.
The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize is a regional, non-acquisitive competition and exhibition. It is open to a work in any medium made by a woman aged 18 years or over who is a resident of NSW.
Entries are now closed.
Artworks selected for inclusion in the exhibition will be on display to the public from Saturday 9 November 2024 to Saturday 24 May 2025. They will also be photographed to document and promote the exhibition.
2024 prizes
1st Prize: $8,000, a Bundanon artist-in-residence scholarship* and a Museums of History NSW membership
2nd Prize: $1,500, a solo exhibition at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra, including an opening event, and a Museums of History NSW membership
Highly Commended Award: $1,500 and a Museums of History NSW membership
People’s Choice Award: $500 and a Museums of History NSW membership (to be announced at the close of the exhibition)
*Bundanon’s prestigious Artist in Residence program offers artists the opportunity to experiment with their art in an inspiring and spacious environment, fostering creativity, energy, and connection with other creative researchers . Nestled within Bundanon’s expansive 1000-hectare property along Shoalhaven River, the Artist in Residence Complex features purpose-built studios and accommodation.
The two-week artist-in-residence scholarship includes access to a studio space and accommodation for one person at Bundanon. The artistic resident is required to supply their own art materials and fund personal costs including meals and transport. The artistic resident must complete the residency in 2025 and negotiate residency dates with Bundanon staff.
Judges
The judges for this year’s prize are:
Zanny Begg
Gallery Director, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra
Rebecca Bushby
Director of Programming, Production & Audience
Museums of History NSW
Tamara Dean
Photomedia artist and winner of the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2018
Sophie O’Brien
Head of Curatorial and Learning, Bundanon
Key dates
- Entries close Tuesday 24 September 2024 at 4pm
- Artists selected for the exhibition will be notified by Wednesday 16 October 2024
- Artwork delivery dates: Thursday 31 October and Saturday 2 November 2024 between 10am and 3pm
- Judging: Friday 8 November 2024
- Prize winners announced and exhibition launched: Saturday 9 November 2024
- Exhibition dates: Saturday 9 November 2024 to Saturday 24 May 2025
Address for delivery and collection of works
Meroogal
Corner West and Worrigee streets
Nowra NSW 2541
Inquiries
Dr Jacqui Newling, Curator
Email: mwap@mhnsw.au
Terms and conditions
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
Closing date for entries is Tuesday 24 September 2024 at 4pm.
Entries are to be submitted online at mhnsw.is/meroogalartprize
For further inquiries, please contact:
Dr Jacqui Newling, Curator, Meroogal Women’s Art Prize
Museums of History NSW Email: mwap@mhnsw.au
Opens 9 November
Exhibition
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2024
The biennial Meroogal Women’s Art Prize is now in its 20th year
Saturday 9 November
Past winners of the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize
Now in its 20th year, we look back at the past winners of the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize – a regional, non-acquisitive competition and exhibition
Learn more about Meroogal
Discover the history of the house, the people who lived there, and the collection still held within the walls of this historic property
Past exhibitions
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2022
The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize celebrates the creativity and achievements of female artists across NSW
Saturday 17 September
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2020
Inspired by our 2020 themes of community, connection and impact, we’re delighted to be celebrating the achievements and creativity of female artists across NSW
Saturday 19 September
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2018
The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize celebrates the creativity and achievements of female artists across NSW, and pays tribute to the four generations of women from the Thorburn and Macgregor families who lived at Meroogal in Nowra for almost 100 years
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2014
Women artists from across NSW created works in response to Nowra’s historic Meroogal house museum for the 2014 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women's Arts Prize 2011
The Historic Houses Trust has proudly presented the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize since 1998
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women's Arts Prize 2009
The Meroogal Women's Arts Prize is open to all women living on the South Coast and Southern Highlands
Past exhibition
Meroogal Women's Art Prize 2007
Women artists of the South Coast and Southern Highlands were invited to submit art works which responded creatively to the theme, Origins & Identity at Meroogal
Related stories
Celebrating women artists across NSW
The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, now in its 19th year, was launched on 16 September 2022
In conversation with Ebony Russell
We sat down with the winner of the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2022
Museum stories
Make yourself at home
Meroogal became home to four generations of resilient and resourceful women, whose house was their livelihood as well as their home