MA Art Prize
The MA Art Prize celebrates and supports emerging and early career artists in Australia.
The MA Art Prize is an acquisitive prize valued at $15,000 that will be awarded to one emerging or early career artist showcasing new work with a gallery at Sydney Contemporary 2025. As the Principal Partner of Sydney Contemporary, Australasia’s premier art event, MA Financial Group launched the Prize in 2023 to elevate works by emerging and early career artists in the context of an established fair. The winning artist will be announced during the opening on 10 September 2025.
“At MA Financial we believe a vibrant arts community is a vital part of our dynamic culture, and we are proud to support artists by providing a platform to exhibit their work and connect with a wider audience. Now in its third year the MA Art Prize aims to shine a light on the depth of talent within Australia’s contemporary art scene, and play a meaningful role in helping artists realise their potential and progress in their professional journey.”
– Andrew Martin, Managing Director & Head of Asset Management, MA Financial
2025 Judging Panel
Andrew Martin
Managing Director & Head of Asset Management, MA Financial
Andrew is a Managing Director at MA Financial Group and the Head of the firm’s Asset Management business. He has over30 years’ experience in global investments as a principal investor and adviser across a range of sectors including real estate, infrastructure, private equity and energy. Driven by a strong passion for the arts, Andrew founded the MA Art Prize, complemented by his personal collection of contemporary art chronicling Australia’s artistic talent over recent decades.
Amelia Hill
Senior Advisor, MA Financial
Amelia is a Senior Advisor to the MA Growth Ventures team, assisting with new investments and as an advisor to existing portfolio companies, particularly ahead of further capital rounds or exits. With over 20 years of investment banking experience, Amelia brings a wealth of corporate advisory and capital raising knowledge to the team.
Janna Robertson
Special Advisor, MA Financial
Janna Robertson is Special Advisor to MA Financial Group. Janna has over 20 years’ experience in financial services and has held roles at Deloitte and KordaMentha where she was focused on advising clients in relation to financial and operational restructuring and transformation, and performance improvement.
Jarrod Rawlins
Director of Curatorial Affairs, MONA
Jarrod is the Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Tasmania. With previous experience in the commercial arts sector as co-founder and Director of Uplands Gallery, as well as founding partner of KalimanRawlins gallery. Rawlins has worked across multiple art fairs both domestically and abroad, and has written on contemporary art for many years in a variety of publications.
Sebastian Goldspink
Independent Curator
Independent curator and founder of ALASKA Projects Sebastian Goldspink is a proud descendant of the Burramattagal people of Western Sydney. He is the former Director of both the Hazelhurst Arts Centre and Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf. As a curator, he has presented national and international exhibitions in London, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Christchurch.In 2022 Goldspink curated to Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia entitled Free/State. He is a regular writer and commentator on Australian contemporary art.
Sue Cato AM
Principal, Cato & Clive
Sue has been a leader in corporate communications and issues management for over 20 years and is an avid art collector. She is a board member of Carriageworks and is a member of Chief Executive Women. Sue is a regular panelist on ABC TV’s The Drum and on the 2UE Breakfast Show and is a commentator on business issues for the national press.
2024 Winner: MA Art Prize
Andrew Martin, Managing Director and Head of Asset Management at MA Financial Group (left), with artist Alfred Lowe (right), the winner of the MA Art Prize 2024.
Artwork: Alfred Lowe, All dressed up I, 2024 hand built stoneware with sgraffito and raffia, 87 h x 91 w x 83 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Sabbia Gallery.
2023 Winner: MA Art Prize
The inaugural 2023 MA Art Prize Winner was Corban Clause Williams, a Manyjilyjarra artist from the Pilbara region, represented by EG Projects in the FUTURE sector at Sydney Contemporary. Williams’ work was informed by time spent on Country at Kaalpa and explores the untold narratives of remote Australian life.
