The Trust Company, as Trustee, has today called for entries for Australia's most famed portraiture prize for women, the Portia Geach Memorial Award, and announced a substantial increase in the prize money from $18,000 to $30,000.
Simon Lewis, Head of Philanthropy and Community at The Trust Company said: "We're very excited to boost the prize from $18,000 to $30,000 for this prestigious award. Past applicants have expressed their struggle to financially support themselves through art, listing the high costs associated with producing work alongside the lack of appreciation the arts receives in our community, as the basis for these struggles.??
"The aim of this funding increase is to address this issue by providing additional support for female artists to pursue their passions, giving them the means to grow and develop their talent."
A survey conducted by The Trust Company of the 2012 Portia Geach entrants revealed 61% could not support themselves on the income they make on their art.
With 50% of respondents describing themselves as full time artists, the top three barriers to having a full time career in the arts were an under-developed arts scene in Australia (30%), a lack of government support through grants (18%) and unfair tax treatment (9%).
"Privately funded awards such as the Portia Geach Memorial Award are important as they provide artists with much needed support and recognition in the Australian arts scene. The Trust Company has also embarked on a public campaign fighting for fairer tax treatment of arts awards because we believe taxation of awards can make a huge difference to individual artists and in turn - Australia's artistic future," Mr Lewis said.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award, first awarded in 1965, was established by Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister, artist Portia Geach.
As per the direction of the will, the award is presented to an Australian female artist for the best portrait painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters or the sciences.
Born in 1873 in Melbourne, Portia Geach studied with Sergent and Alma Tadema in London and was also a lifelong activist for women's rights. She established the Housewives Progressive Association of New South Wales, The Housewives Magazine in 1933 and the Progressive Journal two years later to promote issues such as equal pay for women and the right to hold public office.
The 2012 winner was Sally Robinson for her portrait The Artist's Mother.
Applications for the 2013 award will close on 26 August with The Trust Company announcing the shortlist of finalists in mid September.
The winner of the 2013 Portia Geach Memorial Award will be revealed on 3 October with an exhibition of all finalists open for viewing by the public at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, The Rocks.
