The ABC and Fun 4 Kids announced the inaugural ABC Australian Children’s Arts Awards (ACAA) at the launch of the 2003 Warrnambool International Children’s Festival on Friday 27 June 2003.

Attended by over 600 guests, 774 ABC Melbourne and ABC Victoria Evening presenter Derek Guille announced the exciting new award with ABC children’s favourite – Mixy the Rabbit.

The joint initiative offers Australian children aged between 5 – 14 years the opportunity to achieve excellence in their particular artistic field.

In launching the awards, Derek Guille said the ABC was delighted to be involved in the Australian Children’s Arts Awards.

“This wonderful initiative will give children the opportunity to participate in the arts and be recognized for their achievements nation-wide. As the national broadcaster, we can showcase many of the works on Radio, Television and Online so all Australians can see the future of the arts in this country,” said Guille.

Allan Murnane, Fun 4 Kids festival Director said the ACAA will develop new young audiences in the arts through participation.

“The project is an innovative, imaginative and highly exciting approach to introducing children of all ages to the wonderful world of performing and visual arts. We believe the awards will advance the pursuit of passion, beauty, creativity, communication, energy and excellence in the arts”.

In the first year, categories will include:

Fine Arts (painting, drawing),
Film/Video,
Photography,
Literature,
3D Arts (sculpture) and
Graphic/computer generated art.

Each category will have 3 age sections:

5 – 7 years, 8 – 11 years and 12 – 14 years.

A selection of winners’ and finalists’ work will be exhibited nationally when the ABC ACAA exhibition tours major metropolitan and regional centers showcasing the work of young Australians.

The call for entries will commence nationally in October 2003. Judging will take place early in 2004 with winners announced at the Warrnambool International Children’s Festival in June 2004. Category judges will include ABC representatives and experts in the arts.