Back to the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize

Am I eligible to enter?
To enter you must be aged 18 or over as of the close of entry, 9 June 2023. Employees and relatives of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale are not eligible. The award is open to all photographers of all nationalities.

What must I submit?
The entry must be a still work that has been substantially produced by photographic means, including analogue and digital photography, collage and mixed media of a physical living individual who is distinguished in art, letters, science, sports or politics within the Australian community. It should be a recognisable image of an individual person.  Entries must be the original work of the photographer, who must also be the sole copyright holder of the work. They must also ensure that they have obtained the consent of their subject/s. This includes all persons featured in their entry and requires that their subject/s understand their rights regarding the photograph being taken. Entries must not have previously been exhibited at a major public institution or selected as a finalist of any other prize.

How do I submit my entry?
Entrants must submit an artist’s statement of a maximum 200 words and a current CV as part of the online entry form.

Each entry must be submitted as a digital file saved as a jpeg. Image file size must not exceed 10MB. Original prints (hard copies) of entries will not be accepted for the initial judging and selection process. The organisers will accept submissions from now until 9 June 2023, 11.59PM AEST.

The fee for entry is a non-refundable $50. Payment must be made via Paypal (including Visa and Mastercard). Entrants whose payments cannot be processed will be considered ineligible.

How much is the entry fee?
There is a non-refundable entrance fee of $50 per image. There is no limit to the number of images you may submit as entries. Each image will incur an entry fee.

Who owns the photograph once it is submitted?
Intellectual property rights in entries remain with the finalist as the copyright owner. It is a condition of entry that the entrant grants to the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, without conditions, a perpetual royalty-free licence to use, publicly display, publicise, reproduce the entry or part of an entry, including in electronic form and broadcast, for publicity, promotional, educational and administrative purposes associated with the 2023 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize, in both digital and print mediums.

Does my photograph need to be taken in Australia?
No it doesn’t but it must be of an Australian individual who is distinguished in art, letters, science, sports or politics. Subjects may reside outside of Australia.

Can I use editing software, such as Photoshop, to alter my photograph?
Yes.

My portrait is comprised of multiple images, is this valid for entry?
Yes. However, if selected as a finalist this set of images must be printed and framed as one work within the maximum frame requirements (no larger than 80cm (w) x 80cm (h)). For example, this could be presented as a diptych or triptych, or it could feature multiple small portraits framed as one work. For multiple images as one entry, please ensure there is only one jpeg file uploaded  – do not send multiple images intended to be presented as one work.

How are the entries judged?
A panel nominated by the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will select the finalist works for exhibition from the digital images supplied. The judges will select the winner of the acquisitive prize from the exhibited work. The winner will be announced on Saturday 14 October 2023. At all stages, the decision of the judges is final and no discussion will be entered into.
 

FINALISTS

What if my entry is selected for exhibition?
Finalists will be notified by 26 June 2023. Entrants who are not selected as finalists will not be notified.

Finished works (printed and framed) must be delivered to the Ballarat International Foto Biennale in Ballarat by 1 August 2023. Dates and times for delivery to be confirmed. Works selected for exhibition must be available for continuous display for the duration of the exhibition. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale reserves the right to remove works from the exhibition at its discretion.

It is the responsibility of finalists to organise and pay for the transport of their selected work to and from the exhibition venue. Ballarat International Foto Biennale will not be liable for any loss or damage during this transport. Any damage or loss in transit of a finalist’s work, however caused, is the responsibility of the finalist and are therefore advised to insure it against such risks.

What if I win?
There is an acquisitive first prize of $15,000 generously sponsored by the Kantor Family.

Will my photograph be returned to me after the exhibition?
The Prize is acquisitive; meaning the printed winning framed photograph immediately becomes the property of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. All other unsold work must be collected between 23 to 27 October 2023 from the exhibition venue.