2022 Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize

Applications open for the 2022 Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize:
Craft ACT is honoured to present the new Robert Foster F!NK national metal prize, supported by the Tall Foundation and F!NK + Co Director, Gretel Harrison.

The award will celebrate outstanding work in the field of contemporary metal working by designers and craftspeople - both established and emerging. In recognition of the value of high-quality craft making skills, good design and innovation ten artists will be selected and have their work exhibited in the popular DESIGN Canberra festival. From the finalists, three makers, representing an established artist, an emerging artist, and an acquisition, will be selected and awarded generous cash prizes.

This program is generously supported by the Tall Foundation, F!NK + Co., and Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre.

Submit a 2022 Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize application

Submission close: 11.59 pm (AEST) Monday, 27 June 2022

The opportunity
The Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize is open to Australian-based metal working artists who create hollow-ware, flatware, lighting, small scale sculpture and objects. (Please note the prize is not open to jewellery or 3D printed objects.)

Ten artists, including a minimum of three emerging artist, will be selected by a panel of esteemed judges: Brian Parkes (Jam Factory), Ewan McEoin (National Gallery of Victoria), Rohan Nicols (University Tasmania) and Gretel Harrison (F!NK + Co Director).

Finalists’ work will be featured in an exhibition at Craft ACT as part of the DESIGN Canberra festival.

At the exhibition opening, three winning categories will be awarded cash prizes for an overall winning artwork, an artwork acquired by the Tall Foundation Collection, and an emerging artist’s artwork:

Winner (Open): $10,0000
Winner (Tall Foundation Acquisition): $5,000
Winner (Emerging): $3,000

The remaining seven finalists will receive an artist's fee of $250 each for participating in the exhibition.

About the Tall Foundation
The Tall Foundation supports charitable activities to allow organisations to continue their good works. The Foundation is a generous supporter of arts organisations and activities in the Canberra region, and personally knew and had worked with Robert Foster.

About F!NK+ Co.
F!NK + Co. was established by Robert Foster in 1993 in Queanbeyan, NSW, Australia, with the aim of creating a design and manufacturing business that would support and generate opportunities for Australian designer-makers. Joined by Gretel Harrison in 1995, together they built F!NK + Co. into the business it is today – a much loved and respected Australian design company with an international reputation for producing world-class tableware, hollowware, jewellery lighting.

Foster was a long-term, respected and active member of Craft ACT. He became an Accredited Professional Member in 1993. Foster was killed in a car accident in July 2016. Today, F!NK + Co. is spearheaded by Gretel Harrison, who is not only the face of the company but who also leads a dynamic team of practitioners. The company has continued to go from strength to strength as Gretel and the F!NK staff build on the legacy of Robert Foster.

About Craft ACT
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre is a not-for-profit membership-based organisation (50 years strong) which supports artists, craft practitioners, designers and makers at every stage of their careers. We promote and celebrate excellence and innovation in contemporary craft in everything we do – in our retail space, exhibitions, events and membership program.

Submission close: 11.59 pm (AEST) Monday, 27 June 2022

Application requirements
All applications must include:

A proposed artwork which responds to the selection criteria below.
6-10 high quality images indicative of your practice.
Up to date CV.

All proposed works must address the following criteria:

Use the medium of metal to produce either hollowware, flatware, lighting, small scale sculpture and/or objects.
Demonstrate contemporary metal making and craft skills, good design, and innovation.
Connection to contemporary design and craft practice and metal working.
Be the original un-exhibited work of the submitting artist.
Must have been proposed or completed within the last twelve months.
Work must be made predominantly using metal, however other materials may be included.
Excludes 3D modelling and jewellery.

All applications must be submitted via Submittable and will be considered by a panel. Please click here to submit your application.

The opportunity is open to emerging and established Australian designers, designer/makers, and craftspeople. The submissions can be for proposed or completed work from the last 12 months.

Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Staff and relatives related to the sponsors, the Tall Foundation and F!NK + Co., are not permitted to apply.

Submission close: 11.59 pm, Monday, 27 June 2022

For the fine print and further information:
2022 Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Award submission guide

Contact:
Welly McGarry
Gallery and Retail Manager, Craft ACT: welly.mcgarry@craftact.org.au or 02 6262 9333

Jodie Cunningham
CEO/Artistic Director, Craft ACT: ceo@craftact.org.au or 02 6262 9333

Submit a 2022 Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize application