Pymble Ladies’ College is proud to launch the inaugural Pymble Values Art Prize. The Prize honours our College value of Respect represented by the statement, I value diversity, my worth and the worth of others.
The Pymble Values Art Prize celebrates our commitment to the five College values that are integral to our standing as a leading independent girls’ school. Our hope is that our community will be inspired by the beauty and power of these visual representations of our values to realise their own potential along with an understanding of the power of art to inspire meaningful conversations and promote change.
The Prize is an annual acquisitive painting prize with a different College value represented each year. We are proud to support Australian female artists by offering a $30,000 prize for the artwork that best depicts the essence our values. Pymble Ladies’ College is a proudly diverse and inclusive community, and we welcome submissions from artists from all cultural backgrounds.
Submissions are invited from all Australian female artists, aged over 18 years, for an original, two-dimensional painting that represents the College value of Respect.
- $30,000 is awarded to the winning submission and the College acquires the artwork for its collection.
- Submissions open: Monday 14 April 2025
- Submissions close: Friday 3 October 2025
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The top 30 submissions will be shortlisted by our judging panel and featured in an exhibition at the College opening on Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November, with the winning submission announced at the official opening on Tuesday 11 November. This exhibition will be open to the public and all artworks featured will be available for sale.
The winning artwork will be permanently displayed at the College.
Brief for artists
The College values of Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility were established over a century ago. Today, we continue to weave these values into the fabric of our daily life at Pymble. Our goal is to always articulate these values clearly and continue to foster an environment where they are routinely practised by students, staff and parents alike.
In 2025, we are focusing on Respect. The submitted artworks should visually explore the concept of respect in a broad and inclusive manner. Respect can manifest in various forms: self-respect, mutual respect between individuals, respect for nature, or cultural and generational respect. Artists are encouraged to consider how respect fosters harmony, understanding, movement and connection.
Artist collaboration with the College
It is a condition of this Prize that the winning artist agrees to collaborate with the College in a student or community event to discuss their artwork, their artistic practice and share their inspiration and expertise. The format and timing of this event will be finalised after discussions between the artist and the College.
Why is this art prize only open to female artists?
Pymble Ladies’ College was founded in 1916 for the education of girls and young women. Today, we are the largest independent girls’ school in the southern hemisphere, and we remain proudly committed to nurturing girls to become informed women of purpose, passion and compassion.
We have deliberately chosen our inaugural art prize to be available to women artists only. This is in recognition of the challenges that female artists must still overcome for equal recognition and representation in their profession, and to support the value of their art.
Our hope is that these artists and their work will inspire Pymble girls to strive for their highest potential whilst showcasing the power, talent and importance of female artists and the visual arts.
Meet our judges
Our judging panel will be revealed at a later date.
Display of artwork
The winning submission will become a part of the Pymble’s permanent art collection and displayed at the College.
Submission Requirements
- The Pymble Values Art Prize is open to all female Australian citizens, permanent residents or artists who have resided in Australia during the twelve months preceding the closing date for entries.
- The winning artist must agree to collaborate with the College in a student or community event to discuss their artwork and practice. The format and timing of this event will be finalised after discussions between the artist and the College.
- All entrants must be female artists aged 18 years or over. Pymble staff members, current students and their immediate families are excluded from entering.
- This is a painting prize; paintings should not exceed the size limit of 40,000 square cm for the entire work, including any framing or mounting. Single or multiple items may be submitted. For example, 200cm x 200cm or 250cm x 120cm as a single painting, or a series of 3 works each 140cm x 90cm in size.
- An artist statement on respect (maximum 100 words) and an artist CV must be included with the artwork.
- One to three photographs of the artwork can be submitted as a JPEG file named with artist’s full name. File size must not exceed 5MB.
- Artwork must be available for sale as a condition of entry and sale price must be included with submission.
- Entry payment of $50 must be made at the time of submission.
- Artists may enter a maximum of two artworks for consideration. Each artwork must be entered separately and the $50 fee paid for each entry.
- A confirmation email/s will be sent on submission of entry/ies.
- It is the responsibility of the artist to deliver their artwork to the College by the date specified. All costs associated with this must be paid by the artist.
- To be eligible for entry, the artist must comply with all terms and conditions of entry. If the terms are not met, the College reserves the right to refuse entry. If entry is refused, the artist will not be entitled to a refund of their entry fee.
Accessibility
For any enquiries, please contact communityengagement@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au