How is the Darling Portrait Prize (DPP) different this year?
From 2024, if you are selected as a finalist, you will receive:
- A total artist fee of $1200 (ex GST) to exhibit your work.
- A total copyright and image licensing fee of $1000 (ex GST).
- An allowance to be determined by the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) for return domestic artwork freight.
- An allowance to be determined by the NPG for return domestic, economy travel for the artist to the NPG for the exhibition launch.
- One night’s accommodation for the artist in Canberra for the night of the exhibition launch.
- An access statement form to complete which will help the NPG understand any access requirements.
I made the work with another artist/s. Can we submit together?
Yes. The details of each artist, collaborators or artist collectives will need to be provided when submitting the entry through the online portal. If the entry is a collaboration between two or more artists, the noted artist fee, copyright and image licensing fee payment will be shared between all parties.
How old do I have to be to enter?
Entrants must be 18 years or over at the time of submitting an online entry
Can I enter more than one work?
No, only one entry to the DPP is permitted per artist or artist collective.
Can I enter a painting that has been a finalist or exhibited in a previous painting prize?
Yes you can. While we encourage the creation of new and innovative work, we accept paintings that have been entered and/or featured in previous painting prizes, as long as your work has been created after 31 January 2022 as specified in the Terms and Conditions and meets all other entry requirements.
Can I enter a painting that I have recently submitted to a different painting prize?
Yes. However, the painting you enter in the DPP 2024 needs to be available for loan to the NPG for the dates specified in the Terms and Conditions.
What is classified as a painting?
The DPP is a contemporary art prize. The NPG’s definition of ‘painting’ is considered broadly to recognise that artists use many different materials to make paintings. If you consider your work to be a painting, and can justify your position, we encourage you to enter.
Can I include different mediums in my painting?
Yes, you can include other mediums within your painting, providing that your work is predominantly two dimensional.
Can I enter work with multiple parts?
Yes, your painting can consist of multiple parts. As long as the overall installed dimensions of your work including framing fits within the dimensions specified in the Terms and Conditions.
What is a portrait?
The NPG’s definition of ‘portrait’ is considered broadly to include different cultural and conceptual artistic practices and styles used to represent the human form and/or an individual’s experience of the world we live in.
Can I submit a portrait of an animal?
No. While animals can feature in your entry, the portrait must represent a human.
Can I submit a self portrait?
Yes, self portraits as a form of portraiture are encouraged. We recommend having a look at previous DPP finalists who have submitted self portraits here.
Do sitters have to be significant, well-known or public Australian figures?
No. The sitter/subject does not have to be a significant or well-known Australian figure. The sitter/subject only needs to have a strong association with Australia. We recommend having a look at previous DPP finalists to see the breadth of sitters that have been included here.
What does a live sitting or study from life mean?
This means your painting must be painted from a live sitting (interaction) between you and your sitter/subject. It is acceptable to reference sketches, studies or photographs taken during the sitting to complete your painting. A sitting can also be conducted using video communication technology.
What if I didn’t get the consent of my sitter or only received verbal permission to create the portrait? What are my responsibilities to track down the subject of the painting?
All entrants should complete a sitter consent form for each sitter/subject (and all finalists will be asked to provide this). If it was not reasonably practical for you to obtain the written consent of your sitter/subject, you will need to explain why on the entry form. If your sitter/subject is under 18, your entry must be accompanied by a sitter consent form signed by their parent/guardian to be eligible. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for the consent requirements. Entries to the DPP are only valid if all entry criteria have been met.
What if my sitter/subject has recently passed away?
In this instance, the sitter’s statement must be signed by the executor of the sitter’s estate and their name and their position as executor needs to be written on the statement.
Does my painting need to be finished?
Yes, your painting needs to be completed on or after 31 January 2022 and be ready for display at the time of entry to be eligible in the prize. If selected as a finalist, please attach D rings 10cm from the top on the reverse side of the work ready for hanging.
Does my entry need to be a painting made in Australia?
No, to be eligible to enter you need to be an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia at the time of entry. The NPG defines this as an Australian resident for taxation purposes, consistent with the Australian Tax Office guidelines which can be found here.
What does ‘Australian resident’ mean?
The NPG defines ‘Australian resident’ as an Australian resident for taxation purposes, consistent with the Australian Tax Office guidelines.
What if my painting is currently outside of Australia?
You can still enter the DPP. If you are selected as a finalist, you will be responsible for the transportation of the work from your overseas location to an Australian address. The NPG will then liaise with you regarding the details of the freight from the Australian address to the NPG and its return to an Australian address. You will be responsible for all importation and exportation documentation, customs and quarantine checks and fees related to the transportation of your work from overseas to Australia. You will also be responsible for all insurances for the travel of your work from overseas to Australia and the condition of the work and condition checks when received in Australia.
What is an artist CV?
An artist CV (curriculum vitae) is similar to a professional CV that you would submit for an employment position. However, instead of listing employment history it should outline your professional visual arts practice and contain information related to your artistic career. Please include career highlights such as any solo or group exhibitions your work has been exhibited in, any experience, courses, residencies, awards, grants, articles, collections that your work is in and/or other achievements that relate to your arts practice.
What can I do if my images won’t upload?
If you are having difficulty uploading your images or any part of your entry, try again using a different web browser. If this still doesn’t work please contact Darling@npg.gov.au
What if I want to change or edit my entry?
The online entry portal allows you to manage, edit and save your entry up to the closing date and time for submissions at 11.55pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on 31 January 2024.
Do I have to pay to enter?
No, there is no entry fee for the DPP for 2024.
When do entries close?
Entries close at 11.55pm on 31 January 2024 AEDT.
How much will finalists be paid and when?
The following will be paid for each finalist artwork (this will be per artist for single works or split across all parties for collaborative works):
- A total artist fee of $1200 (ex GST) to exhibit your work. A total copyright and image licensing fee of $1000 (ex GST).
The NPG will be in contact regarding payment and any related requirements once artworks have been received and condition-checked on site.
How is my work delivered to the NPG?
If you are selected as a finalist, the NPG will cover the transport to the NPG from an Australian address and return to you within Australia. If selected as a finalist, the NPG will be in touch to arrange the transportation of your work to the NPG in Canberra. Please do not take any action until you have been contacted.
Will my work be returned to me after the exhibition?
Yes, the NPG will be in touch to arrange the return of your work from the NPG to an Australian domestic address. Please do not take any action until you have been contacted. The NPG staff will pack your painting in the same packaging in which it was delivered.
How are the entries judged?
Finalists will be selected using the electronic images submitted by each artist. You will be notified by the NPG by the week commencing 18 March 2024 if your painting is selected as a finalist for exhibition in the DPP 2024.
The winner of the DPP 2024 will be selected by a judging panel of at least three members. The members of the judging panel and the number of members will be decided solely by the NPG. At all stages, the decision of the judges is final, and no discussion will be entered into.
What if I have questions about the copyright requirements?
Please contact Darling@npg.gov.au and provide the details of your work and any questions you may have. Please be aware content captured in the background of paintings (i.e other works of art) may require copyright clearance.
Can my painting include representations of artwork/s in the background?
Content captured in the background of paintings (other works of art) may require copyright clearance. If your painting includes any artworks which are not yours, you will need to seek in writing permission from the copyright owner to represent their artwork in your painting. You will also need to ensure they have granted permission for the NPG to reproduce your painting, and subsequently their artwork, for all purposes outlined in the Intellectual Property and Copyright section of the Terms and Conditions if you become a finalist. If you are a finalist, you must provide those permissions to the NPG. If you have any questions, please contact Darling@npg.gov.au and the team will consult with our copyright team.
When will the next DPP be run?
You can check out our website, sign up to our mailing list and follow us on social media @portraitau to stay up to date on the next DPP.
