2024 USU Creative Awards
The annual USU Creative Awards is USYD's largest creative arts prize, highlighting the very best of visual arts, writing, short film and music, from our student members. The USU Creative Awards exhibition is an incredible opportunity for students to showcase work to peers, industry professionals, and the local community.
The USU Creative Awards are divided into the categories Art, Music, Word and Short Film with each category awarding the following prize amounts:
1st Prize: $1250
2nd Prize: $800
People’s Choice: $500
Exhibition
The USU Creative Awards exhibition will be presented at Verge Gallery located at the Jane Foss Russell Plaza, University of Sydney.
The exhibition is open from 14 October to 15 November.
2024 CREATIVE AWARDS WINNERS:
ART
First prize - Ryan Ouyang, To whom I hold dear
Second prize - Connor Chen, chair video archive (reupload)
USU Member’s Choice - Sascha Noble, 3 Venuses
MUSIC
First prize - Audrey, “Ana”
Second prize - Chiara Minotto and Leah Berry, “Come Rain or Shine”
USU Member’s choice - Olivia Wei, “Green Earth”
WORD
First prize - MK Han, “White Wings”
Second prize - Cal Guino, “a birdwatcher’s observations of Western Sydney
USU Member’s choice - MK Han, “White Wings”
SHORT FILM
First prize - Alia Ardon, Kalitus
Second prize - Mckenzi Scott, with collaborators Yi Su and Sida Wang, SHAPE
USU Member’s choice - Jiaxi Li, with collaborators Jasmine, Nina, and Haohai Zhang, Obsession
Public Programs
Film Screenings
Immerse yourself in a series of short films created by Sydney’s emerging filmmakers! This year’s Creative Awards saw the addition of a brand-new category, Short Film. Sit back, grab some popcorn, and transport yourself into the filmic worlds created by the finalists on the ‘big screen.’
Date: Thursday 17 October
Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Spoken Word
Hear students shortlisted for the Word category of the Creative Awards read out excerpts of their pieces of writing at Verge. From narrative non-fiction to lyrical poetry, Spoken Word Night is an opportunity to engage with material written and performed by Sydney’s next generation of writers.
Date: Thursday 24 October
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Live Music
End your week on an uplifting note at Live Music Night! From electronic to rap, R&B to pop, this event will feature live performances by students shortlisted for the Music category of the Creative Awards.
Date: Friday 25 October
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Location: Hermann’s Bar
Register now ↗
Artist Talks
Bring along friends and family for a Saturday afternoon of art and refreshments! Finalists of the Art category of the Creative Awards will speak about the concepts and processes which have informed their practices and led them to create the works featured within this year’s USU Creative Awards exhibition at Verge.
Date: Saturday 26 October
Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Block Party: Dark Arts
Join us for live music, drinks, food, and art after hours, as the sun sets over JFR Plaza!
Date: Thursday 31 October
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Jane Foss Russell Plaza
Register now ↗
Keen for more? Explore the previous exhibitions below.
2023 Exhibition↗
Curated by Lucy Brosnan
2022 Exhibition↗
Curated by Anneka Scholtz
2021 Exhibition↗
Curated by Emily Roebuck