NAVA launches a new campaign, ‘Sit For An Artist’ urging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to support Australia’s creative recovery.
The visual arts sector is in crisis. Australian artists and arts workers have been impacted by lockdowns across the country with their exhibitions and commissions cancelled.
NAVA’s ‘Sit For An Artist’ campaign has been created in response to deep concerns about the long-term impacts of the pandemic and lockdowns on visual artists, galleries, organisations and arts workers. The ‘Sit For An Artist’ campaign is a play on the age-old concept of sitting for an artist for a portrait, but this time NAVA is asking Australians to sit for a COVID vaccination.
Fronting the campaign, which was filmed at the National Art School in Sydney, are Thea Perkins, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, NAS Fellow Wendy Sharpe and NAS staff Dean Cross.
Enrol online before Monday 15 December 2025 to receive 10% off.
Designed for students of all levels and led by professional artist-educators, these focused five-day courses build practical skills, confidence and creative thinking across a range of disciplines.
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Prudence MacLeod Prize.
The Prudence MacLeod Prize, which will continue for a further three years, supports a recent National Art School graduate to undertake a six-month residency at @acme.art, London.
Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, the Prize provides an emerging artist with an opportunity to step forward into an expanded, international context at a vital time in their career. The artist will live and work in London, one of the world`s great art cities, in a supportive artist community. This important opportunity will enable the artist to forge professional international contacts, explore London`s art world and rich cultural resources, and produce a new body of work.
The recipient of this Prize will receive: – Return travel to London. To be arranged for the artist by NAS. – Studio accommodation and workspace at Acme Studios for 6 months. – Living stipend of $AUD3,500 per month for 6 months. Total $AUD21,000.
Application deadline: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11.59pm Residency: Monday 6 July – Friday 18 December 2026
The Prudence MacLeod Prize is open to eligible NAS alumni who have graduated within the past five years and meet the selection criteria.
Congratulations to all students recognised in last night`s awards ceremony!
A special acknowledgement to our major award recipients: Jed Payten, Nikita Maricic, Frankie Abroon, Harri Barnes, Lihnida Krstanoska-Blazeska, Cristelle Cabrera, Rose Rigley, Indi Wolstenholme, Lucy Russell and Majlena Muecke.
Thank you to our dedicated lecturers and technicians for their guidance and support throughout the year, and to our generous benefactors and sponsors whose commitment makes these prizes possible.
This year also marked the introduction of @arts__matter Creative Futures Award, supporting 25 BFA and MFA students as they transition from graduation into early professional practice.
THE NATIONAL ART SCHOOL ACKNOWLEDGES THE GADIGAL PEOPLES OF THE EORA NATIONS, THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS ON WHOSE LANDS, WATER AND SKIES WE MEET AND SHARE.
WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO ALL GADIGAL ELDERS, PAST AND PRESENT, AND CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY, HISTORY AND CREATIVITY OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES.