FrontUp News and Events

The Access Artybald Prize 

The Access Artybald Prize is an access driven portraiture competition and exhibition facilitated by Front Up Studios in Seven Hills and funded by Create NSW.  

The Access Artybald Prize will feature works of portraiture by artists with disability and/or access requirements who live, work or study in Greater Western Sydney.  

The Artybald prize will be exhibited at Front Up Studios and then continue as a touring exhibition.  

This is the first Access Artybald Prize, and has been established to promote culturally diverse artistic awareness for Greater Western Sydney Artists living with disability and to; 

• Showcase their Rich abilities and talents  
• Support the artistic education and endeavours of people with disability 
• Nurture the artists professional creative development 
• Provide a platform for the artist’s works to be experienced and celebrated. 

The Promoter – Front Up, Ability Options 

The Access Artybald Prize is a Portrait painting prize held by Front Up Studios, which is a not-for-profit Arts and Culture Organisation in Western Sydney established by Ability Options in 2016. Front Up supports, mentors and provides professional development and opportunities for Western Sydney artists with disability and mental illness, and celebrates their abilities, skills and diversity. 

How the entry process works 

Entry forms MUST be submitted online. No forms posted or emailed. 

Upload an image of artwork + artists contact details  

Successful applicants’ original artwork will need to be delivered to the Front Up Studios in Seven Hills between the specified dates. 

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Sitter’s statement 

When delivered to Front Up Studios, your completed work must be accompanied by a signed statement from the subject of your portrait. They can sign the statement on your completed printed entry form or a separate piece of paper, with wording like the sample provided. Note: this statement can also be used at any time before entries are officially open. 

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Where is the form? 

Please complete the online application below. 

There are several sections to the form (E.g., 1 The artist, 2 The work). Click on the small arrow next to each of these to open that section of the form. 

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How much does it cost? 

Entries are free. 

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Enquiries or access needs 

Email us to discuss any particular needs or inquiries at: frontup@abilityoptions.org.au.  

Access Artybald Prizes 

Total value $5,000. 

​$2,000 Winner, 2 x $1,000 highly commended prizes, $1000 People’s Choice Award 

All prize money will be awarded as a visa debit card 

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Front Up Studios invite artists to submit paintings in competition for the Access Artybald Prize 2022. 

The prizes will be awarded to the best portraits (with the subject known to the artist and have a significant role in their life), painted by artists who identify with a disability, and who are residents from/or work in Greater Western Sydney, Australia during the eligibility period: 30 Nov 2021 – 30 June 2022. 

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Entries in the Access Artybald Prize competition are eligible to be considered for: 

• One Winner for best painting – Value $2,000. 
• Two Highly Commended prizes – each valued $1,000. 
• One People’s Choice award – value $1,000.  

To be considered for selection, the artist must comply with all entry terms and conditions. 

 Key dates 

Please email to frontup@abilityoptions.org.au a photo of your artwork and a signed document from the subject of the portrait giving you permission to have you paint them