In 2003, local residents Willem and Judith Kempen, came up with the concept of holding an annual Art Prize in Peterborough. In the beginning, and after extensive consultation with members of the District Council of Peterborough, including Mayor Ruth Whittle, Chief Executive Officer Terry Barnes, and Councillor Chris Woodman, a committee of three was formed to kick-start the project. At a meeting of the District Council of Peterborough during May 2003 a grant of $2000 to the newly formed committee was approved together with assistance for Town Hall hire. Soon after the first meeting, retired art teacher, Heather Parker, joined the committee and has become the other driving force in this community endeavour. The initial committee was made up of Judith Kempen, Willem Kempen, Chris Woodman, Heather Parker, Helen Davies, Sister Julianne Murphy, Vicky Ridley, Gloria Frost and Michelle Jacob. Some of these early helpers have moved away from our area but the core of the committee, are still here.

The aims of the

Peterborough Art

Prize Committee Inc.

are:

To organise an annual art prize To provide artists with an opportunity to promote their works To foster art in the Peterborough region To provide funds for art projects To encourage youth art. The committee received great support from the Rotary Clubs of Peterborough and Adelaide who donated financial assistance and physical help so that 11 large display stands could be constructed. Businesses and individuals of Peterborough contributed generously towards the prizes. A total prize pool of $2200 was on offer at the inaugural 2004 Peterborough Art Prize Exhibition and it attracted 67 artists, who exhibited 259 works of art. The three local schools as well as three regional schools also took part in the exhibition with the students exhibiting 175 works of art. The inaugural Peterborough Art Prize Exhibition was the first art exhibition ever to be held in Peterborough. The exhibition attracted 1400 visitors over a ten day period, in March 2004, and it was a resounding success. The Peterborough Art prize is held for 10 days from the week before Easter up to and including Easter Monday. In January 2005 we received the Australia Day Regional Event of the Year award for 2004, which was quite gratifying for the committee. At the end of 2004 the committee was able to apply successfully to Arts SA for a grant to construct a further 14 display frames and to purchase and construct 10 spotlights. Since the beginning the Art Prize has gone from strength to strength and in 2013 the Prize Pool reached $5500 with 581 artwork entries on display.