The Publishers’ Cup Inc has announced that it will create the Cricket Art Prize 09. Previously occupied primarily with organising social-cricket for the media-fraternity, the Publishers’ Cup Inc has built on it's strong links with the art-world and decided to create an art prize that celebrates the deep and rich history of cricket.

Cricket in all its forms (i.e. beach-cricket, backyard cricket, social-cricket, local club cricket etc) is a national pastime, especially in our long summer and brings people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities together.

The Publishers’ Cup Inc Committee invites artists to submit a painting or composition representing or depicting some aspect or aspects of the game and sport of cricket, and may feature figurative, still-life, figure-in-landscape themes in settings of backyard cricket, beach cricket, social-cricket or local club cricket. The style may be representative, abstract or semi-abstract.

*The prize will be awarded annually for a cricket painting by an Australasian artist completed during the 12 months preceeding Monday September 28, 2009.

* Prize money awarded to the winner will be AU$20,000.

* Venue - The Members Pavilion – Sydney Cricket Ground.

Artists can look forward to a two week exhibition at the Members Pavilion at the Sydney Cricket Ground, AU$20,000 for the winner and ‘Highly Commended” and “Peoples Choice” awards.

The exhibition finalists will benefit from a variety of media publicity, an exhibition tour, publication in a calendar and hard-cover book and the possibility of participation in a documentary sleighted to cover the inaugural prize.

For more information on the Cricket Art Prize 09 visit www.publisherscup.org.au