We are thrilled to announce that the 23rd annual George Nick Prize Competition will take place in-person on Friday, May 2 & Saturday, May 3, 2025!

The purpose of the George Nick Prize is to encourage emerging artists who create two-dimensional works -- through observational abilities, drawing skills, and the understanding of the role of tone and color -- that can be recognized in terms of subject and an emphasis on forms of realism.

The prize will be awarded on the basis of merit, upon the discretion of the jury. The current total prize amount is approximately $11,500 (to be split among the selected winners).

RULES AND SELECTION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all current MassArt students (undergraduate, graduate, and Continuing Education), but is restricted to works done in drawing, painting, and printmaking. Former George Nick Prize winners are not eligible.

JURY: A jury led by Richard Raiselis and including Catherine Kehoe, Harold Reddicliffe, and Meg White will review all submissions. PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR WORK! All students will be assigned jury numbers during drop-off, which is what you’ll then use to label your pieces.

PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

WHEN + WHERE: 

Drop-off will be from 2 – 5PM in the Design & Media Center (DMC) Atrium on Friday, May 2nd.

There will be a check-in table, where you'll fill out an application and receive your jury number. You'll be responsible for setting up your own work in the DMC Atrium. You'll be able to lay your pieces on the floor or on/against tables that will be set up. Post-it notes will be available for you to label your work with your assigned jury number.

Work will be juried the morning of Saturday, May 3rd. Immediately following the jury, all participants' work will be displayed for the viewing public for the remainder of the afternoon.

Work must be picked up between 3 – 5PM on Saturday, May 3rd. If you are not available to pick up your own work, please make arrangements for a friend to do it for you.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:
A body of work made up of 6 – 10 paintings, drawings, or prints. Please note that photographs or work done in a digital medium will not be accepted.

AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT: 
The winners will be notified by phone & email, using the contact information provided on the prize application at drop-off. A school-wide announcement will be made after all winners have been notified. Winners will need to fill out some paperwork in order to receive their checks; make sure you have your SSN readily available, as this information is pertinent to process any payments.

EXHIBITION:

There will be an on-campus exhibition of the winners' work in the North Crackatorium May 4 - 10, 2025.

Please contact FA2D Department Assistant Kristyn Collins (kcollins7614@massart.edu) if you have any questions. Best of luck!

NOTE: MASSART IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR DAMAGED ARTWORK. Participation in the George Nick Prize Competition is at your own risk.

Image: Time is Fed by Kady Whynott '24 (one of the 2024 GNP winners), oil & acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"