Artz Blitz is back for 2025! This fun competition is a race against the clock: participants had 24 hours to make and submit a creative work based on a secret theme. Entries were open to all ages and skill levels, with fantastic prizes up for grabs across categories including visual art, creative writing and poetry. Works will be judged by a panel of arts industry professionals, with winners announced at a vibrant awards ceremony and exhibition opening event.
Registration
Registrations for Artz Blitz 2025 are required and will open Friday January 17. Registrations close on Wednesday 12 February and no late registrations will be accepted.
Following your registration, you will receive an email to confirm we have received your registration. Specific entry guidelines tailored to your chosen category will be sent via email when registrations close on Wednesday 12 February. Register Now
Competition categories
Each category will be separated and judged across 3 groups:
- Adult (18 years and over)
- Youth (age 13-17 years)
- Junior (age 12 and under)
All category-specific instructions and detailed submission instructions are outlined in the entry guidelines that will be emailed to all registered participants on Wednesday 12 February.
VISUAL ARTS
Choose between crafting and submitting a 2D or 3D artwork. 2D works must not exceed A3 (297mm x 420mm) framed or unframed. Artwork must be ready to hang, with sturdy wiring at the back and large D-Rings securely affixed. 3D works must not exceed 600mm (H) x 400mm (W) x 400mm (D) overall. Artwork must either be ready to hang with sturdy wiring at the back and large D-Rings securely affixed (hung artwork must not weigh more than 1kg) or be prepared to sit safely on a plinth or table.
All visual arts submissions must be delivered to Kingston City Hall, 979-985 Nepean Highway, Moorabbin on Saturday 15 February 2025 between 12pm-5pm.
CREATIVE WRITING
Compose and submit long-form written pieces! All submissions must be an original piece and can be fiction or non-fiction.
Submission length:
- Adult 18+ entrants between 400 – 600 words in length
- Youth (13-17) between 200 – 400 words in length
- Junior (12 and under) between 100 – 300 words in length
All creative writing works are to be submitted via email to visualarts@kingston.vic.gov.au on Saturday 15 February 2025, before 5pm.
POETRY
Create an original short-form poem, up to 14 lines. Possible formats include haikus, sonnets, tankas, acrostics, and limericks.
All Poetry entries are to be submitted via email to visualarts@kingston.vic.gov.au on Saturday 15 February 2025, before 5pm.
award ceremony and exhibition opening night - sold out
Celebrate Artz Blitz 2025 and see the prize winners announced Thursday 6 March 2025, 6:30pm at Kingston City Hall. After the ceremony, attendees can view the Artz Blitz Exhibition in the G1 + G2 Galleries. This is a free event.
artz blitz 2025 exhibition details
Following the submission period, Artz Blitz will be exhibited at Kingston Arts Centre’s G1 and G2 gallery spaces.
Kingston Arts Centre Exhibition Dates: Friday 7 March – Saturday 12 April 2025
Artwork will need to be picked up at the end of the exhibition. Pickup date: Saturday 12 April 2025, 2pm-4pm and Monday 14 April 9am-8pm at Kingston Arts Centre
While our intention is to display every submitted piece during the Artz Blitz event, please note that the final exhibition lineup is subject to change. Factors such as available exhibition space and other logistical considerations may influence selection and arrangement of artworks. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to create an inclusive and vibrant showcase for all participants.
Prizes
Visual Artist Development Prize
(only adult 18+ 2D and 3D visual artist participants are eligible for this award)
- An opportunity to be involved in Kingston Art’s Magnify: Artist in Residence Program in 2025. This includes access to a shared studio for three months, opportunities for professional development and community networking and financial support of $1,500. For more information, please see Magnify: Artists in Residence Expression of Interest
Writer Development Prize
(only adult 18+ creative writing and poetry participants are eligible for this award)
- Mentorship through Writers Victoria in 2025. This includes membership to Writers Victoria, an initial mentor meeting and 6 hours of ongoing mentorship with an experienced author or industry professional on a one-to-one basis. For more information, please see Mentorships - Writers Victoria
Visual Arts – 2D
Adult (18+)
- First Prize: $750 and $250 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $200 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $200 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
Youth (13-17)
- First Prize: $200 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
Junior (12 and under)
- First Prize: $100 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
Visual Arts – 3D
Adult (18+)
- First Prize: $750 and $250 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $200 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $200 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
Youth (13-17)
- First Prize: $200 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
Junior (12 and under)
- First Prize: $100 and $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
- Highly Commended: $50 Melbourne Artist Supplies Voucher
Creative Writing
Adult (18+)
- First Prize: $1,000
- Highly Commended: $250
- Highly Commended: $250
Youth (13-17)
- First Prize: $250
- Highly Commended: $100
- Highly Commended: $100
Junior (12 and under)
- First Prize: $150
- Highly Commended: $50
- Highly Commended: $50
Poetry
Adult (18+)
- First Prize: $1000
- Highly Commended: $250
- Highly Commended: $250
Youth (13-17)
- First Prize: $250
- Highly Commended: $100
- Highly Commended: $100
Junior (12 and under)
- First Prize: $150
- Highly Commended: $50
- Highly Commended: $50
People's Choice Award
Judges
Visual Arts:
Victoria Jones
Victoria has worked in the creative industries in the UK and Australia for over 20 years. She has led the commissioning of over 120 site specific art commissions, managed large art collections, devised participatory programs, curated multiple exhibition spaces, programmed regular events and performances etc and developed the required creative strategies to support these. Victoria has extensive experience of working within complex environments with diverse teams, having led creative projects and public art commissioning for Transport for London, the National Health Service, Melbourne Metro Tunnel, Level Crossing Removal Project and the Frankston Hospital Redevelopment.
Candy Ng
Growing up in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, surrounded by high-rise buildings, Candy nurtured her creativity from a young age, often creating art with her dad. After relocating to Melbourne, Candy was inspired by the mixture of nature and city in Melbourne and creates works about what she sees and experiences in day-to-day life. Candy has exhibited at numerous exhibitions, including the Pullman Hotels and Crown Street Stables. Candy’s artist practice involves fine art and live events, including live illustration and calligraphy. Candy experiments with various mediums, currently focusing on oil paints and still life compositions, capturing beautiful, fleeting moments to share with her audiences. Candy is one of the 2025 Magnify: Artists in Residence.
Jessica Row
Jessica (she/her) is Kingston City Council’s Curator, as well as a practicing artist. She has worked for a number of galleries in Narrm/Melbourne and Meanjin/Brisbane, and at the Venice Biennale in 2017 and 2019, with Creative Australia to present Australia’s exhibitions internationally. As an artist, Jessica predominately practices printmaking, and has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across Narrm/Melbourne, Meanjin/Brisbane and Gadigal Country/Sydney. She has been a finalist in the 2023 Geelong Art Gallery Acquisitive Print Award, and the Australian Stencil Art Prize. Jessica holds a Master of Art Curatorship from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Fine Art from the Queensland College of Art.
Poetry and Creative Writing:
Kieran Carroll
In the 1990s, Edithvale resident Kieran Carroll was a widely published performance poet. In the 2000s, Kieran turned to playwriting. 23 plays have since been produced in Australia, America and the UK. Kieran writes biographical works, adaptations, dramas, comedies and devises community works. His last local production was Dahlin! It's The Jeanne Little Show at the Shirley Burke Theatre (November 2024). His pop-rock play about former Parkdale resident, the musician and actor, Rick Springfield entitled Late, Late At Night (The Rick Springfield Story) is set tour the US in October 2025.
Monica Cronin
Monica is the Heritage Specialist at City of Kingston. She is a professional historian and curator, with a strong interest in giving voice to the historically silenced. Monica recognises that storytelling is how we learn, how we connect to each other, and how we begin to understand new and different ideas.
Gabriella Munoz
Gabriella is a writer and editor. She has edited both print and online publications in Mexico, the US and Australia. She studied Media and Communication, as well as Children's and Young Adult Literature, at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and holds a Master’s in English from the University of Sydney. She writes essays, short stories, and poetry, and her work has appeared in Cordite Poetry Review, Harana Poetry, Picnic, Australian Poetry Journal, Ace IV: Arresting Contemporary Stories by Emerging Writers, Meanjin, and others. Gabriella is the Program Manager at Writers Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Artz Blitz
Can I participate in both visual arts and creative writing categories?
Yes! However, there is strictly one entry per person, per category.
How much does it cost to register for Artz Blitz?
There is no fee to enter Artz Blitz, however registrations are essential.
Can I register as a group or team?
Unfortunately, no. No group or team entries will be accepted.
When will the secret theme be announced?
The secret theme will be announced on Friday 14 February 2025 at 5:00pm.
Where to discover the theme?
Registered participants will be emailed, so check your inbox or visit our website or social media. Follow us on social media: Instagram @kingstonartsau Facebook @kingstonartsau
How will I know if my work has been selected for the exhibition?
While our aim is to showcase every submitted piece during Artz Blitz, the final exhibition lineup may be adjusted due to factors like available space and logistical considerations. Thank you for your understanding as we strive to create an inclusive showcase.
Do I need to label my submission?
Visual arts participants will need to label their artwork clearly when dropping it off. Labels need to include artists name, title of work and category. Creative writing and poetry participants will need to include their name, category, title of piece and word count when submitting their piece.
What happens if I can’t attend the Award Ceremony and Gallery Opening?
If you are unable to attend the Award Ceremony and Gallery Opening on Thursday 6 March, from 6:30pm – 8:00pm, don’t worry! Winners will be notified via email, and a list of winners will be posted on our website and social media channels. Prizes and certificates can be arranged for alternative delivery by contacting us at visualarts@kingston.vic.gov.au.
Will my artwork be returned to me after the exhibition?
Please arrange to collect your artwork on Saturday 12 April 2025, 2pm-4pm or Monday 14 April 9am-8pm from Kingston Arts Centre, 979 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin VIC 3189.