With around 130 nominations already received, organisers of the 2026 Prism Awards are making one final call for Ipswich residents to recognise the artists, performers, musicians and creative champions who make the region’s arts community so special.
Nominations for the Prism Awards – Ipswich Region Creative Arts Awards close this Sunday, November 1, with finalists to be announced on November 15 ahead of the awards ceremony on December 12.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s Get Your Arts Into Gear, awards co-founders DJ Sparky and Glen Smith said the response from the community had been overwhelming, with nominations recognising everything from theatre and music to literature, visual arts and lifetime contributions.
The pair also highlighted a busy weekend of arts and entertainment across Ipswich, including the Ipswich Art Awards, EcoFest, the Trashion Parade and several Halloween-themed events.
Prism Awards nominations reach 130
With just days remaining before nominations close, organisers are celebrating a strong response to the newly rebranded Prism Awards.
DJ Sparky revealed that approximately 130 nominations had already been submitted across the various categories.
“In total, we’ve had a total of 130 or so nominations,” he said.
“For our first year actually doing the Prism Awards, I reckon that is a really good feat.”
Glen Smith said the response demonstrated the depth of creative talent throughout Ipswich.
“There’s so much incredible talent, and they need to be celebrated,” he said.
The Prism Awards have been designed to recognise the broad range of artistic contributions made across the Ipswich region, including those who work behind the scenes.
Organisers said the awards were not simply about recognising established performers or professional artists.
They also aim to celebrate volunteers, community organisations and individuals who dedicate their time to supporting the local arts scene.
“We’re talking about the people behind the scenes as well,” DJ Sparky said.
“The ones that hold the microphones, set up the lighting, open events and run them.”
Recognising decades of dedication to the arts
One of the most significant aspects of the awards is the opportunity to recognise people who have spent decades contributing to Ipswich’s creative community.
The Lifetime Contribution to Ipswich Arts category has already attracted nominations for individuals who have been involved in local arts activities for more than 40 or 50 years.
Organisers said these people deserved recognition for their long-term commitment.
“These are people who’ve dedicated their lives to the arts of Ipswich,” DJ Sparky said.
The Ipswich Arts Champion Award will also recognise both individuals and groups who have made valuable contributions to supporting and promoting the arts.
Glen Smith said the awards were intended to reflect the entire creative community, not just those who regularly appear on stage or exhibit their work.
Categories celebrate every corner of Ipswich’s creative scene
The Prism Awards feature categories covering performance, music, writing, visual arts and community involvement.
Categories include:
- Best Musical
- Best Comedy
- Best Drama
- Best Music Creator
- Best Emerging Music Artist
- Best Literature
- Best Art Exhibition – Solo or Group
- Best Community Art Exhibition or Competition
- Emerging Artist of the Year
- Best Public Art Project
- Best Community Group Using Art for Advocacy
- Lifetime Contribution to Ipswich Arts
- Ipswich Arts Champion Award – Individual and Group
Organisers stressed that the Emerging Artist of the Year category was not limited to visual artists.
Musicians, actors, theatre performers and other emerging creatives are also eligible for consideration.
“It’s artists across the board. It’s not just visuals,” DJ Sparky explained.
The Best Community Group Using Art for Advocacy category also recognises organisations and individuals using creative expression to raise awareness of important issues.
“If someone’s actually using their music to have a voice, please nominate them,” Glen Smith said.
Don’t assume someone else will nominate
With nominations closing on November 1, organisers are encouraging residents not to leave it to someone else to recognise deserving artists.
Glen Smith said people often assumed that well-known or respected creatives would automatically receive nominations.
“We can’t do this if you don’t nominate people. You have to nominate,” he said.
“Don’t just think these people are worthy of a prize and think someone else will nominate, because they’re probably thinking the same thing.”
The awards also allow artists to nominate themselves.
Organisers said self-nomination was an important option for people who believed their work deserved consideration.
They also clarified that the number of nominations received by an individual or organisation would not determine the outcome.
Someone receiving 50 nominations would not automatically have an advantage over someone receiving just one.
“It’s just the nomination,” DJ Sparky explained.
All eligible nominees will be considered through the awards’ judging process.
Independent judges to select finalists and winners
Organisers also emphasised that the awards would be judged by an independent panel rather than the event’s founders.
Professional judges with experience in the relevant artistic disciplines will assess nominations across the categories.
These judges will be drawn from the local and regional arts community.
DJ Sparky said the independent process was designed to ensure that nominees were assessed by people with appropriate knowledge and experience.
“We’ve got professional people in each category who will be doing the judging for that specialised category,” he said.
The founders confirmed they would not be involved in selecting the winners.
Finalists announced November 15
Following the November 1 nomination deadline, the judging process will determine which nominees progress to the finalist stage.
The key dates are:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations close | Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Finalists announced | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Prism Awards ceremony | Saturday, December 12, 2026 |
The awards ceremony will be held at the Old Ipswich Courthouse, bringing together artists, performers, community groups and supporters for a celebration of the region’s creative achievements.
Organisers said the event would recognise the breadth of Ipswich’s artistic talent in one celebration.
Nominations can be submitted at prismawardsipswich.au.
Ipswich Art Awards preparations underway
While the Prism Awards are approaching their nomination deadline, another major event on Ipswich’s arts calendar is also getting underway.
Artists entering the Ipswich Art Awards are being reminded to deliver their artwork this Friday and Saturday.
According to Glen Smith, artwork drop-off will take place on the first floor of the Ipswich City Council administration building.
He said the anticipated drop-off hours were approximately 10am to 4pm on both days, although entrants should confirm the official arrangements.
The awards exhibition is scheduled to begin the following week.
Smith encouraged artists to ensure their work was delivered on time and properly prepared for display.
The Ipswich Art Awards remain an important annual opportunity for local artists to showcase their work and receive recognition.
EcoFest and Trashion Parade bring sustainability to the arts
Saturday, October 31, will also see the return of Ipswich EcoFest and the Trashion Parade at the Ipswich Showgrounds.
The events will combine environmental education with creative expression, encouraging residents to explore sustainable living and discover how discarded materials can be transformed into something new.
The Trashion Parade, now in its third year, celebrates fashion made through recycling, reusing and upcycling.
Glen Smith said the event continued to grow in popularity.
“It’s actually growing and growing. There are a lot of entries this year, and I think it’s going to be a hoot,” he said.
The parade will feature a judging panel including Rachel Vickery, Donna Kavanagh and Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard.
A special Halloween category has also been included this year, encouraging participants to create spooky costumes using reused and repurposed materials.
The parade will follow EcoFest, allowing visitors to enjoy both events at the Showgrounds.
Halloween brings a packed arts calendar
Beyond EcoFest and the Trashion Parade, several other Halloween-themed events will be taking place across Ipswich.
The Ipswich Showgrounds will host its Halloween celebrations, with DJ Sparky involved as an MC.
The Nicholas Street Precinct will also stage its Halloween Spooktacular, featuring family-friendly activities and entertainment.
Meanwhile, the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale will present Raven’s Requiem, a spooky theatrical production incorporating music and storytelling.
The production will feature a show-only performance on Friday, with theatre restaurant experiences planned for other performances.
The Arts Connect Community Gallery at Booval Fair will also welcome visitors for a Halloween-themed evening on Thursday, with treats available for those dropping in.
Glen Smith said the range of activities highlighted just how busy Ipswich’s creative community had become.
“There’s so much on, so much happening,” he said.
Celebrating the people who make Ipswich creative
With major exhibitions, community performances, Halloween celebrations and the Prism Awards all approaching, DJ Sparky and Glen Smith said the coming weeks would be particularly exciting for the region’s arts community.
However, they stressed that the success of these events depended on the involvement of local artists, volunteers, organisers and supporters.
The Prism Awards, in particular, provide an opportunity for residents to acknowledge the people whose contributions might otherwise go unnoticed.
With approximately 130 nominations already received, organisers are hoping for a final surge before the deadline.
Nominations close Sunday, November 1, with finalists announced November 15 and the awards ceremony taking place December 12 at the Old Ipswich Courthouse.
To nominate an artist, performer, community group or arts champion, visit prismawardsipswich.au.
0 Comments