FAS Awards return in 2025 to support local artists!

FAS Awards 2025

We have once again partnered with Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre to bring you the For Arts’ Sake (FAS) Awards

The awards not only celebrate local artists who live, work and play in Monash, but help champion our creative industries.

Submissions are open to artists of all career levels, to create wall-based mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, textiles, printmaking, and wall sculpture. This year the size restriction for artworks has been raised to no more than 40cm x 40cm including all framing.

The awards provide a prize pool worth $7,000 in gift cards (funded by Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre) along with in-kind solo exhibition opportunities at Monash Civic Gallery and within several other creative spaces in Monash.

More information and submissions

Important dates

Submissions open Tuesday 1 July, 9am.

Submissions close Sunday 24 August, 5pm.

Artist shortlist announced Friday 29 August.

Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre Exhibition Opening Thursday 18 September.

Civic Gallery Exhibition Opening Friday 10 October.

Entries close for People’s Choice Award Friday 31 October.

FAS Awards Ceremony, Civic Gallery, Thursday 6 November.

FAS Award Categories

Open Prize

$2000 + Solo Exhibition First Prize (Civic Gallery) in 2026

Creative in Monash Prize (Artist must be a Monash resident to be eligible)

$2000 + Solo Exhibition First Prize (Civic Gallery) in 2026

Highly Commended Prizes

Visual Arts or 2D Category

Highly commended $750

Sculptural and Textile/ 3D Category

Highly commended $750

High School (13 -17 years)

Highly Commended - $500

Primary School (0-12 years)

Highly Commended - $250

People’s Choice

Adult People's Choice - $500

Under 18s People's Choice - $250

Terms and Conditions

Please read: Terms and Conditions


Artwork requirements

Artworks must be a wall-based medium such as painting, drawing, photography, textiles, printmaking, collage, and wall sculpture no more than 40cmx40cm in size.

Labelling of artwork

Artwork must be clearly labelled with the following information on the back of the artwork itself for identification:

  • Artist name
  • Artwork title 
  • Medium

Hanging artworks

If the artwork is shortlisted, it must be ready to hang upon drop-off. Canvases may be hung off their stretcher frames, and all framed and unframed works must have wire or hooks attached.

Artworks with unsuitable hanging systems including string, double-sided tape, or no hanging mechanism at all will not be accepted at drop off.

What is accepted

  • Unframed artworks that measure 40cm or less on all sides.
  • Framed artworks that measure 40cm or less on all sides.
  • Rounded artworks that measure 40cm or less on all sides.
  • Sculptural works if they measure 40cm or less on all sides (h x w) and are no less than 10cm (d). It must be wall hangable.

What is not accepted

  • Unframed artworks that measure above 40cm on any side.
  • Framed artworks that measure above 40cm on any side including the frame.
  • Rounded artworks that measure above 40cm in diameter.
  • Paintings that are not wholly dry on the drop off day.
  • Works using unsuitable materials to hang, such as string, double-sided tape, or no hanging mechanism at all.

Submitting artwork

Submissions restricted to 1 artwork per artist.

The artwork must be an original artwork that is the design and creation of the applicant. Duplicated (for example, in an art class) or paint by numbers style artworks, are not to be submitted.

Artworks must be registered via the online portal (link below).   

Entries must be registered no later than 5pm on 24 August 2025 (applications and submissions after this date and time will not be accepted).

A clear image of the whole artwork must be submitted for judging and shortlisting purposes. Please photograph against a plain white or neutral background, being sure to avoid shadows or reflections on the work where possible.  Up to 3 additional images can be added to show further detail and texture of works, in particular of sculptural works.

Please note:  These images will be used to judge which artists get through to the shortlists.

There are no costs associated with 2025 entries of artworks or its exhibitions.

The online submission will also request a short artist statement. The artist’s statement will be displayed alongside the artwork in the exhibition. An example of the form is provided below:

Example of the artist statement:

Name: Jane Doe
Email: JaneDoe@XXX.com
Phone number: 00 000 000 000
Suburb and postcode: Oakleigh, 3166
Artwork Title: My Greatest Love
Medium: Oils on canvas

Artist statement (60 words max): In My Greatest Love, I wanted to capture a lifelong partnership. This oil painting is of an elderly couple holding hands. The textures and details in their hands tell a story of support and resilience. Through this piece, I aim to highlight the beauty of lasting love and the everyday moments that define it.

Submissions

Please read Terms and Conditions before submitting your artwork via online portal:

Submissions closed at 5pm on Sunday 24 August 2025.

Exhibition and FAS Award Ceremony Dates

Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre Exhibition

18 September - 8 October 2025

(Official Opening Thursday 18 September)
Ground Floor, outside Woolworths

Monash Civic Gallery Exhibition

13 October - 1 December 2025

(Open from Friday 10 October)
Monash Civic Centre, Glen Waverley

2025 FAS Awards Ceremony

The 2025 For Arts’ Sake (FAS) Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday 6 November 2025, from 6pm at Monash Civic Gallery to celebrate the winners of this amazing art award.

For further enquiries, please email exhibitions@monash.vic.gov.au or phone 9518 415

When

  • Tuesday, 01 July 2025 | 09:00 AM - Sunday, 24 August 2025 | 05:00 PM
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