A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize: Supporting Traditional Australian Artists

Rick Crossland | George Davis at 91. 2022 | Oil on canvas 61 x 76cm (2022 winner)

The A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize stands as one of Australia's most prestigious awards for artists working in traditional styles. This biennial competition celebrates realist, figurative and representational art whilst honouring the legacy of one of Australia's finest early 20th-century painters.

Prize Pool

The scholarship offers substantial financial support across three categories:

• Major Award for a Travelling Scholarship: $50,000
• A.M.E. Bale Art Prize in oils and/or acrylics: $5,000
• A.M.E. Bale Art Prize for works on paper: $5,000

Exhibition Dates

The A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize is awarded biennially, providing emerging and mid-career artists with significant opportunities to advance their classical training and study the works of old masters.

Entries Close

Applications must be submitted by 23 September 2025.

About A.M.E. Bale

Born in Melbourne in 1875, Amy Maud Elizabeth Bale studied under renowned Australian artists Frederick McCubbin and L Bernard Hall at the National Gallery Art School. She distinguished herself as one of Australia's pre-eminent flower and still life painters, establishing this scholarship through her will to support Australian artists in perpetuity.

The judging panel comprises experts from the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society, who work alongside the trustee, Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd, to ensure awards align with Miss Bale's vision.

Who Should Apply

This scholarship is designed for Australian artists at any stage of life who are pursuing traditional art training. Whether you're an emerging artist or established practitioner looking to deepen your classical skills, this award provides invaluable support for studying traditional techniques and masterworks.

Ready to apply? Visit the official guidelines and submit your application online before the 23 September deadline. This is your chance to join the ranks of Australia's supported traditional artists and continue A.M.E. Bale's legacy of artistic excellence.

For complete entry guidelines and application details, visit: A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize