Young artists honoured with Theo Batten Youth Art Award

Each year the Theo Batten Youth Art Award, valued at $5,000, honours artistic excellence and innovation among young artists. The award supports recipients in pursuing arts studies at a tertiary level and is named in honour of former local artist Theo Batten, whose legacy continues to inspire the creative spirit of the Northern Beaches.

Respected local artist Amber Boardman selected from a pool of ten remarkable artworks featured in this year’s Out Front 2026 exhibition of HSC Visual Arts student works at Manly Art Gallery & Museum (MAG&M).

This year’s joint winners are:

• Jennifer Choi (NBSC Manly Campus) – for Virtual Daydreams, acrylic on canvas
• Arta Dehghan (Killarney Heights High School) – for Facades, graphite pencil drawing

Each recipient will receive $2,000 towards their arts studies.

Highly Commended: Olivia Sammut  (St Luke’s Grammar School) – for Homesick: A Severance, oil paint and oil pastel on canvas receiving $1,000.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins expressed her admiration for the calibre of artists in this year’s exhibition.

“The Northern Beaches is home to a vibrant community of young artists whose creativity and dedication never fail to impress,” Mayor Heins said.

“The Out Front exhibition is a testament to the immense talent present in our local schools, and we are delighted to support these emerging artists as they take the next steps in their creative journeys.

“Congratulations to all the applicants and winners of this year’s Theo Batten Youth Art Award.”

The community is invited to visit the exhibition and vote for their favourite artwork in the KALOF People’s Choice Award.

Out Front 2026 exhibition is on display at MAG&M from 20 February to 5 April 2025 showcasing 25 HSC Visual Arts students works from 21 local secondary schools.

PROGRAM

Out Front 2026: HSC Visual Arts from Sydney’s Northern Beaches

20 February – 5 April 2025

Manly Art Gallery & Museum
West Esplanade Reserve, Manly
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm

Free entry

For more information, visit the Council’s website.

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