Mud Australia and Craft Victoria present the 2025 Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize

Mud Australia, in partnership with Craft Victoria, is proud to present the 2025 Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize (SSCP)—a national award supporting the next generation of Australian ceramic artists. Now in its fifth year, the prize was established in 2020 by Shelley Simpson—Mud Australia’s Founder and Creative Director—and continues to recognise and support emerging and early-career ceramicists working across the spectrum of contemporary practice.

For the first time, this year, the SSCP is presented in collaboration with Craft Victoria, Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to craft and design. For over five decades, Craft has played a vital role in championing the ceramics community, fostering close relationships with makers and offering a platform grounded in deep curatorial knowledge and care. Their long-standing connection to the sector ensures meaningful support and visibility for ceramicists working across diverse practices.

The 2025 SSCP offers a $10,000 cash prize to one exceptional artist whose work demonstrates originality, technical skill, and a thoughtful engagement with environmental, social, or cultural narratives through clay. Open to Australian ceramicists at any stage of early practice—from functional ware to conceptual sculpture—the prize seeks to support craftspeople shaping the future of ceramics in Australia, offering meaningful recognition in an arts landscape. “Initiatives like the SSCP are about investing in the cultural fabric of our country,” says Simpson. “We see ceramics as both an ancient craft and a future-facing artform. Partnering with Craft Victoria allows us to broaden the prize’s impact and better support artists as they navigate a competitive and often under-resourced industry.” Executive Director of Craft Victoria, Nicole Durling adds, “Craft is delighted to be partnering with Mud Australia for the 2025 Shelley Simpson Ceramic Award. Founded in our shared commitment to nurturing creative talent and giving back to our community, this collaboration has a unique spirit that is driven by the desire to collectively create lasting impact.”

Applications for the 2025 Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize are now open at mudaustralia.com/shelley-simpson-ceramics-prize, closing 30 June 2025.
Finalists will be announced in mid-July, with their work to be showcased at Craft Victoria’s gallery in Melbourne’s CBD. The exhibition will be accompanied by a special in-conversation event featuring Shelley Simpson and the finalists—offering insight into their practices, the story of Mud Australia,
and a celebration of 30 years of making in the Australian craft landscape.