Prizes

Applications are now open for the 2025 Brenda Clouten Memorial Art Scholarship.

Established by patrons Vicki and Bruce Woods 20 years ago in honour of their dear friend Brenda Clouten, the Scholarship supports two young achievers in visual arts to undertake a program of professional development either through study, travel, research or studio support.

The Scholarship is open to artists aged 35 years or under who live or work in the Hunter Valley.

Finalists selected from applications received will exhibit current or new work in the Brenda Clouten Memorial Exhibition at Maitland Regional Art Gallery from 22 March – 15 June 2025.

Applicants should be aware that selected finalists will need to be available through February and March 2025 to work with curatorial staff in the lead up to the exhibition. Artworks need to be ready for installation by Friday 7 March 2025.

The Winner and Runner Up are to be announced at an invitation only launch event on Friday 21 March 2025.

Applications close 5pm Friday 8 November 2024.

Scholarships

Winner’s Scholarship $5,000
Runner-Up Scholarship $3,000

To be eligible, applicants must:

Be 35 years or under
Demonstrate current and recent art practice through documentation and images
Live or work in the Hunter Valley (including Maitland, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Singleton)
Outline how the scholarship would be used to extend or develop your practice further through study, travel, research or studio support.*

* Studio support is an important aspect of an artist’s development and can include studio rental or equipment – if you are applying for the scholarship for studio support please provide a detailed explanation of what the scholarship will be used for.

Submitting your application

Please submit your application via email to artgallery@nullmaitland.nsw.gov.au with detailed description of how the scholarship funds will be used and include:

Images of recent and/or current work (maximum of 10 as a single PDF, no larger than 25MB)
- If your work is a video or sound file, please make your file available for viewing on a website such as YouTube, Vimeo or Soundcloud. You will need this link address in your application. Sound or video files emailed as attachments will not be accepted.
CV / Bio
Contact details, including mobile phone, email and current address
An artist statement that includes how the scholarship will benefit your practice and a detailed explanation of how you will use the scholarship funding (maximum one page).

About the Brenda Clouten Memorial Art Scholarships

The Scholarship was founded by former Deputy Mayor of Maitland Vicki Woods and her husband Bruce Woods, in honour of their friend Brenda Clouten, who passed away after battling breast cancer at the age of 60.

Brenda had lived in the Maitland area for more than twenty-five years and spent the last sixteen years of her life at Largs.

Brenda was an amazing person and always seeing the good in everyone. She always put others before herself. Even at her sickest moments she would always ask after you. She derived a lot of pleasure from the arts; she loved the ballet, musical theatre and all things cultural. She loved the good things in life and always lived for the moment. This scholarship in Brenda’s name is our way of creating a lasting memorial that will give benefit to young and upcoming talent in the Hunter area and keep Brenda alive in our hearts – Vicki and Bruce Woods.

Prize winners have included:

2022

Holly Macdonald – Winner

LOVEDAVID – Runner Up

Liss Finney – Highly Commended

2020

Karri McPherson – Winner

Bronte Naylor – Runner Up

2018

Leeroy Chapman – Winner

Alessia Sakoff – Runner Up

2016