WA's premier national portraiture prize has secured a $90,000 three-year partnership with Westpac, as its total prize pool and entry numbers top those for the Archibald Prize.
The Lester Prize has secured a $90,000 three-year partnership with Westpac, as its total prize pool and entry numbers top those for the Archibald Prize.
The total prize pool for the portraiture awards has grown to more than $130,000.
The Archibald Prize totals just over $100,000, however, the main award winner will receive double the amount taken home by the main Lester Prize winner.
Business News understands the Western Australian 2025 awards received 1,120 submissions, while this year’s Archibald’s entries totalled around 950.
The Lester Prize executive director Shannon Yujnovich hoped the partnership with Westpac would encourage increased patronage of the arts.
“We’re delighted to establish this partnership with Westpac to better support our talented Australian artists,” Ms Yujnovich said.
“Westpac’s patronage over the next three years will help us to build on the momentum of previous seasons, supporting our extended reach into regional WA through our touring exhibition and creative workshop programs, and strengthening our community engagement.”
Westpac commercial banking state general manager Suzanne Hullick said the arrangement reflected the bank’s dedication to support communities.
“Westpac are excited to support the Australian artistic community through our partnership with The Lester Prize,” she said.
“[The Lester Prize] is one of Australia’s most prestigious art prizes, and Westpac is proud to celebrate the talent of our artists and bring the arts to a wider audience in rural areas.”
Winners will be announced on September 19, with the awarding of the $50,000 Richard Lester prize for portraiture, the $20,000 Toni Fini Foundation artist prize, the $20,000 Minderoo Foundation spirit prize, the $15,000 Baldock family people’s choice prize, the $5,000 Ashurst emerging artist prize, and the highly commended prize (valued up to $3,000).
Finalists for the exhibition, set to be hosted at WA Museum Boola Bardip, were announced in July.
The pool of 40 includes 17 returning finalists.
