Record number of entries in the 4th Joblink Plus First Nations Art Competition

The Joblink Plus First Nations Art Competition and Exhibition showcases and promotes established and upcoming First Nations artists NSW-wide, sharing their stories and journeys as First Nations Artists.

Run bi-yearly, the competition and exhibition are run by Joblink Plus and are open to NSW artists who identify as First Nations of Australia or New Zealand. 

Joblink Plus is a provider of various programs throughout regional NSW, with over 50 per cent of their clients identifying as First Nations Australians. Additionally, nearly 30% of Joblink Plus’ employees are First Nations Australians, and the not-for-profit is proud of its commitment to delivering culturally secure, trauma-informed services to over 80 communities.  

With previous exhibitions held in 2018, 2020, and 2022 the event grows every year, with 35 entries in 2018 increasing to 83 entries in 2020, and 149 entries in 2022…  in 2024 it’s our biggest one yet with nearly 300 artworks submitted from First Nations artists all over NSW.  

Joblink Plus established the Competition after seeing a lack of opportunity across their footprint for First Nations artists of all skill levels to exhibit and sell their work without paying hefty commissions to galleries or brokers.   

2022 Winners

Joblink Plus CEO Christine Shewry said the competition has grown every year since its inception and is first and foremost a celebration. 

“First Nations Australians have lived on this continent for tens of thousands of years, with their art and cultural traditions among the most enduring in human history – an expression of the world’s oldest, continuous, living culture.”   

“We consult closely with First Nations communities every day in the work we do, and the support for the competition over the years has been outstanding.” 

“The calibre of the entries and the variety of mediums from all over NSW is remarkable. We’re proud to be able to facilitate the collection of the pieces through our local offices, with our enthusiastic teams completely on board and encouraging the people we work with to connect with their creativity and culture.” 

“There’s over $17,000 in the prize pool and we facilitate the sale of the art as well when requested by the artist, taking no commission – we’re committed to First Nations artists being valued, and their work being celebrated,” added Shewry.   

In addition to the main Painting and Drawing sections, the competition has sections and prizes for Children, Youth and 3D/Weaving.  

Entries closed on April 19, 2024, with the Competition culminating in an Exhibition with Opening Night on Friday, 24 May in Gomeroi country (Tamworth, NSW).   

Further information at: https://www.joblinkplus.com.au/community/first-nations-art-competition/, including a virtual tour of the last exhibition from 2022.   

Emily Roy

Emily is the Executive Lead for Trauma Informed Practice at Joblink Plus, where she has worked for over 12 years. With post-graduate qualifications in trauma informed practice and training design, and a varied background of adult education, group facilitation and communications, she is honoured to co-lead Health & Wellbeing Plus, the mental health service of Joblink Plus. A multi-disciplinary team of 13 Counsellors, Social Workers and Psychologists, the team supports participants of Joblink Plus employment services programs to address trauma, addiction, relationship breakdown and any other barrier to wellbeing.

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