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Last year’s inaugural prize was so successful – attracting 43 entries – that RACT Insurance and Tasmanian Regional Arts decided to continue the event. “Young artists clearly embraced the concept last year, which provides them with an important platform to both exhibit their talents and benchmark their work against others,” said Paul Jenkins from Tasmanian Regional Arts.

The prize is open to Tasmanian artists aged 30 and under. They are invited to paint a portrait of a living Tasmanian who inspires them. An artist statement describing the inspiration and meaning behind the artwork should also be submitted as it will be assessed as part of the judging process. The RACT Insurance Tasmanian Youth Portraiture Prize is believed to be the only such competition in Australia.

This year, entries close on June 30 and the winners will be announced on September 4 in Devonport. The judging panel includes Adriane Boag of the National Gallery of Australia, Helene Weeding of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and Kim Schneiders of Interweave Arts, Launceston.

The overall winner will receive $5,000 and a trip for two to view the Archibald Prize exhibition in Sydney. The runner up and Sponsors' Choice will receive $500 and this year a People’s Choice award of $500 is being introduced.

“The People’s Choice award will give members of the public viewing the exhibition in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart an opportunity to vote for their personal favourite,” said Paul Jenkins.

Last year, the portraits submitted included a newspaper sub-editor, an artist’s two-year-old son, a Greens politician and an independent MLC. The judges voted Self Portrait with a Cow near Richmond, by Hilton Owen of Rose Bay, as the winner of the inaugural prize.

The RACT Insurance Tasmanian Youth Portraiture Prize is a partnership between RACT Insurance, Clemenger Tasmania, Geon and Tasmanian Regional Arts. The objective is to foster the development of young Tasmanian artists and provide an opportunity for the public to recognise the talents of Tasmania's emerging artists.