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. Visual and Fine Arts students enrolled at TAFE NSW in the Hunter and Central Coast regions are invited to submit an observational drawing for entry in the Prize of $1,000 to the successful applicant.

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.

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:

• Be enrolled in Visual or Fine Arts at TAFE NSW in the Hunter or Central Coast regions.
• Applicant must provide a digital image of their artwork as part of their submission.
• Up to two (2) pieces 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 form and submit a digital copy of their artwork/s by 12pm, Wednesday 30 July 2025.
• Completed applications will be reviewed on Thursday, 31 July and applicants notified to deliver one piece of artwork for exhibition/judging.
• Applicants must deliver their artwork for exhibition to Customer Service Desk, located on the ground floor foyer of TAFE NSW Hunter Street, 590-608, Hunter Street, Newcastle West on either Friday, 1 August, or Monday, 4 August, by 3pm.

Please keep in mind the following when entering your work:

• You can submit up to two (2) pieces of work, one being selected for exhibition
• 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.