The Joyce Spencer Textile Awards

About The Awards
The Joyce Spencer Textile Awards are to support regional NSW textile artists or collectives to deliver new artworks or exhibitions. Named after the textile artist Joyce Spencer (1928 – 2019), the awards are made possible with funds from the Spencer family and Western Riverina Arts, in partnership with the Cad Factory.

Joyce Spencer
Joyce Spencer (1928-2019) was an artist who lived in Narrandera and liked making ‘things’ associated with arts and crafts, exploring the history and techniques of weaving, painting, ceramics and more. Joyce loved sharing her knowledge by teaching and giving workshops. Joyce published five books, with “Folk Art Cards” a best seller among craft circles. Joyce’s personal motto was “a creative mess is better than tidy idleness.”

Support Given

In 2026 one fellowship of $4000 will be awarded to a mid-career artist or group to assist in achieving their outcome.  A $1500 highly commended award and a $600 prize will also be awarded.

For projects delivered between August 2026 and December 2028.

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Selection Criteria

1. The lead artist must reside in regional NSW. Regional NSW does not include; Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains.
   2. Lead regional NSW artists can work with people/groups/artists not located in regional NSW.
2. New textile artworks could be made for festivals, site-specific outcomes, exhibitions, performances or any kind of public presentation.

Selection Panel

Llewelyn Tuckett: Daughter of Joyce Spencer
Sarah McEwan: Artist/Cad Factory
Aanya Whitehead: RADO, Western Riverina Arts

To Apply

Applicants who meet the selection criteria will be asked to submit their application via an online Google form. A downloadable version of the form is also available.

The form will ask you to include:

• Name, pronouns, date of birth, contact information, local regional arts board.
• 500 words about your project or exhibition.
• 1 page CV of each artist involved.
• Confirmation letter of where the project will be presented. Eg letter from a gallery, local council, RADO, arts organisation etc outlining you have a confirmed venue or site-specific location.
• Up to 10 images of work with clearly labelled titles

More Information
Sarah McEwan

Creative Producer at the Cad Factory
P: 0405 447 490
E: sarah@cadfactory.com.au