Before you submit

Two things matter more than anything else here: your photograph and your description. Both shape how your work is judged, and how it is seen if it goes up for sale.

Your photograph

If you are selected as an online finalist, this photo is what sells your artwork. It is worth taking your time over.

• Use natural daylight where you can, near a window is usually enough
• Shoot straight on, with the whole work in frame and nothing else
• Watch for glare and reflections, especially if the work is behind glass
• Check it is sharp before you upload it

A phone camera is completely fine. Good light beats good equipment every time.

Your title and description

Your title and description are printed on a card and displayed beside your artwork at The J. A good story can carry a work as much as the work itself.

Up to 150 words. Think about:

• What the work is about
• What you were thinking while you made it
• What you want someone standing in front of it to notice
• Be specific and be honest. You do not need to sound like an art critic

What else we will ask you for

• Your date of birth, so we can confirm you are under 25 on 20 September
• Your school, TAFE, college or university, and your year or level of study
• A student card or letter of enrolment is optional now. We may ask finalists for it later

If you are under 18

There is a short section at the end of the form for a parent or guardian. They confirm they are happy for you to enter, for images of your work to be used in promotion, and for the work to be offered for sale if you choose to sell it.

Your entry is not complete until that section is filled in, so it is worth having them nearby when you sit down to do this. It takes about a minute.

If you win, the $500 is transferred to their account to hold for you. The same goes for anything your work sells for.

One last thing

You can enter up to two artworks, and each one needs its own entry and its own submission. If you have bought two entries, fill this form in twice.

When you are ready, the form is below.