M&C Saatchi Group and Saatchi Gallery have announced the third edition of their annual international art initiative – the Art for Change Prize.

The initiative, which is free to enter, aims to make art, culture, and creativity accessible to everyone. It celebrates emerging artistic talent and serves to highlight and stimulate dialogue around visual arts as a medium for positive global and social change.

Last year’s prize saw the total number of entries increase to over 3,000, a year-on-year rise of 20%. Entries came from artists based in 130 countries, with 56% of them developing nations within Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The 2024 Art for Change Prize theme is ‘Tomorrowing: Visions of a better future’, inviting emerging artists to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues and act as a beacon of hope in the pursuit of a better tomorrow.

To apply, artists must be aged 18 or over, within the first five years of active practice and working in one or more of the following media: painting, drawing, illustration, photography, collage, 2D mixed-media, video or film. The total prize fund of £20,000 (approx AU $38,000 based on today’s exchange rate) will be split between six regional winners, whose work will be presented in a winners’ exhibition at London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery.

The prize was launched in 2022 in response to worldwide cuts to arts funding. It is the result of a shared commitment to support the power of creativity and is dedicated to promoting the next generation of artists exploring some of today’s most pressing issues.

CEO of M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ, Justin Graham, said: "At M&C Saatchi Group we’re dedicated to fostering the future of creativity. Our partnership with Saatchi Gallery strives to deepen access to the arts and provide meaningful support to the artists of tomorrow. The Art for Change Prize is about driving positive societal change, fuelled by our vision for a better future and our belief in the power of creativity to change the world."

Saatchi Gallery Director, Paul Foster, said: "Each year we invite artists to help us understand ourselves and show us a way forward. Each year we’re amazed at the submissions we receive and the talent that graces our exhibition space."

Haining Wang, the 2023 winner, said: "Winning the Art for Change Prize has been an incredible opportunity to share my work with a broader audience at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery. As a recent graduate, I had never thought that I would win the overall prize. It has been an immense vote of confidence and huge encouragement for my practice and has given me the momentum and resources to commit to my career. I encourage emerging artists to contemplate this year's theme and put their best work forward!"