Olive Cotton Photography award open for entry

THE 2025 Olive Cotton Award is now open for photographers nationally to enter the award’s 20th year.

The prestigious $20,000 prize recognises excellence in photographic portraiture. Alongside the major acquisition is a Director’s Choice acquisitive award of $4,000 and a People’s Choice Award of $1,500.

Presented by the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, director Ingrid Hedgcock said the award had allowed photographic portraiture artists to be deservedly celebrated.

“As we commemorate 20 years since this prestigious biennial award began, we reflect on its evolution into a significant platform that celebrates excellence in photographic portraiture across Australia.”

The 2025 judging panel comprises photographer and daughter of Olive Cotton Sally McInerney and Director of Content, Strategy & Partnerships, Aboriginal Cultural Centre project Glenn Iseger-Pilkington.

Museum of Australian Photography senior curator Angela Connor and National Gallery of Australia senior curator of photography Shaune Lakin also join the panel.

The award is funded by the Cotton family, with additional purchase awards sponsored by the Friends of Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc.

“The award will continue to honour the enduring legacy of Olive Cotton – to have her daughter Sally McInerney return to the panel for the first time since the inaugural award is a fitting way to recognise this milestone,” Hedgcock said.

“We eagerly anticipate this year’s submissions from artists nationwide, which we know will continue to showcase the diverse perspectives of our photographic community.”

Submissions are now open until 5pm onMay 13.

The gallery will exhibit finalist works from August 17 to November 2 and announce the winners on August 30.

To enter, head to gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/awards/olive-cotton-award