Apply now for the Reg Russom Memorial Drawing Prize

The Reg Russom Memorial Drawing Prize was first awarded in 1955 to honour one of the early Head Teachers of the Newcastle Art School, Reg Russom. Emerging artists residing in the Hunter and Central Coast regions are invited to submit a drawing of the human figure for entry in the Prize.

Arts National Newcastle have partnered with the Hunter TAFE Foundation to become the new donor of the Reg Russom Memorial Drawing Prize, as part of their commitment to cultural activities and connecting people with the arts.

The prize is awarded annually and is valued at $1,000.

Applications for the Reg Russom Memorial Drawing Prize close at 12 pm (AEST), Wednesday 30 July 2025.

To be eligible for the Reg Russom Memorial Drawing Prize, you must:

• Open to students who are currently enrolled in Visual Arts or have completed a TAFE NSW Visual Arts qualification in the last three (3) years, that included a drawing unit, at a TAFE NSW location in the Hunter or Central Coast regions.
• Applicant must provide a digital image of their artwork as part of their submission.
• Only one piece of artwork can be submitted.
• Not be in receipt of another award, scholarship or prize presented by the Hunter TAFE Foundation within the last twelve (12) months.
• Applicant must accept Terms and Conditions outlined in the Reg Russom Memorial Drawing Prize.
• Applicants must complete the online application and submit their artworks to TAFE NSW Hunter Street to the Customer Service Desk, located on the ground floor, foyer entrance: TAFE NSW Hunter Street 590-608, Hunter Street, Newcastle West by 12 pm (AEST) Wednesday 30 July 2025. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Please keep in mind the following when entering your work

• You can only submit one piece of work
• Present your work in a Bainbridge board mount with a firm board backing (not framed or under glass), with your name on the back
• Fix your artwork's surface with a drawing medium fixative

• The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be acknowledged
• The winning entry will become the property of the Hunter TAFE Foundation
• The announcement will take place at 12pm Tuesday, 12 August 2025 at the following location:
  
  Newcastle Art School
  TAFE NSW Hunter Street
  590 - 608 Hunter Street
  Newcastle West
• Hanging space for the 2025 exhibition will be limited, so the judges will display awe-inspiring works
• TAFE NSW Hunter Street Gallery will display selected entries from 11-29 August 2025.

Have a question about the scholarship? Email us at hunter.foundation@tafensw.edu.au 

Every year TAFE NSW awards hundreds of scholarships. To find the one that's right for you, go to the TAFE NSW Scholarships homepage.