The Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA) stands as one of Australia’s most prestigious regional art prizes, celebrating excellence and innovation in contemporary drawing. Established in 1988 and hosted biennially by the Grafton Regional Gallery, JADA champions experimental drawing practices and provides both recognition and financial support to artists across the country. With an acquisitive first prize of $35,000 and a $5,000 early‘career award, this competition continues to influence the evolution of Australian drawing, attracting bold and boundary-pushing work from emerging and established practitioners.
Origins and Purpose
Launched over three decades ago, JADA emerged from the vision of the Jacaranda Art Society, whose members aimed to enrich the cultural life of Grafton and the Clarence Valley. From the outset, the award has focused on collecting and exhibiting outstanding drawing works while fostering innovation in the medium. By acquiring winning entries for its permanent collection, the Grafton Regional Gallery documents shifts in contemporary drawing practices and ensures that bold artistic voices are preserved for future audiences.
Prize Structure and Eligibility
Major Acquisitive Prize
With a current acquisitive prize of $35,000, JADA is Australia’s richest regional drawing award. Past rounds placed it at $40,000 overall. Winning works become part of the Grafton Regional Gallery collection, strengthening its role in promoting contemporary drawing nationally.
Early Career Award
In addition to the major prize, a non-acquisitive $5,000 award supports emerging artists. This separate category highlights JADA’s commitment to nurturing new talent Nix Francia won this in 2024 for their emotionally resonant workLove at midnight: blood edition.
Selection Process and Exhibition
Open to Australian artists aged 18 and over, JADA attracts hundreds of entries from across the country. In 2024, judges reviewed more than 560 submissions and selected 65 finalists whose works demonstrated technical mastery and conceptual depth. The jury panel is typically composed of leading curators a notable 2024 judge was Michelle Newton, Deputy Director at Sydney’s Artspace.
The shortlisted artists’ works are exhibited at Grafton Regional Gallery during the Jacaranda Festival season. In 2024, the exhibition ran from 28 September through 8 December. The accompanying gala awards event draws attention from curators, collectors, and regional art enthusiasts, promoting dialogue around drawing and its evolving forms.
Celebrating Innovation and Range
One of JADA’s hallmarks is the diversity of techniques and styles it embraces. From traditional graphite and charcoal to experimental mixed media, installation and performance-based works, the award pushes the boundaries of drawing. In 2024, Laith McGregor’s sculptural charcoal drawingUntitled (support)was praised for blurring portraiture and abstraction, building surfaces rich in emotional charge.
Impact on Artists and the Community
Winning or being shortlisted for JADA can significantly enhance an artist’s profile, offer financial stability, and open doors to further exhibitions and gallery representation. Laith McGregor, based in NSW’s Northern Rivers, has exhibited in LA, Sydney, and Melbourne, and is represented by Station Gallery.
The acquisitive model also strengthens Grafton Regional Gallery’s collection of contemporary drawing, ensuring a vibrant testament to artistic exploration. It reinforces the gallery’s regional role and fosters a sense of pride locally.
Notable Past Winners
JADA has launched the careers of many prominent Australian artists. Michael Zavros, a painter and printmaker, won JADA in 2002 before receiving other major accolades such as the Robert Jacks Drawing Prize and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. These recognitions underscore JADA’s influence in identifying and honouring exceptional talent.
Community and Cultural Context
Held during Grafton’s famous jacaranda bloom, JADA is closely tied to local identity. The Jacaranda Festival celebration reflects the region’s connection to beauty and renewal. Nell Schofield has noted that regional art awards like JADA are crucial to Australia’s cultural landscape, demonstrating that significant innovation often emerges from outside major cities.
Future Directions
The Grafton Regional Gallery continues planning future JADA events while evolving the award’s structure to reflect contemporary art trends. As drawing becomes increasingly experimental and interdisciplinary with neon, digital, and bodily materials featured JADA remains committed to encouraging bold expressions in drawing.
The Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award remains Australia’s leading regional prize for drawing. By awarding generous acquisitive and early career prizes, showcasing experimental works, and strengthening local cultural identity, JADA continues to shape the trajectory of drawing in the country. For artists and audiences alike, it highlights how a regional institution can spark national influence. Through its celebration of technical skill, innovation, and artistic courage, JADA ensures that drawing remains a dynamic and vital part of Australia’s artistic future.
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