A historic Tasmanian sandstone barn will soon be the setting for the 2025 Clarence Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious awards for contemporary furniture design. This highly anticipated event and exhibition officially opens on Saturday 6 September at the charming Rosny Farm Arts Precinct, just outside of Hobart. 

The biennial awards program has been an important and influential event in the Australian design calendar since 2007. 

Offering a $20,000 acquisitive prize and two $1500 non-acquisitive prizes (Highly Commended and Emerging Designer), the Clarence Prize provides broad recognition for emerging and established furniture designers. 

It’s an opportunity for the Australian design community to come together to explore the future of furniture design and celebrate the very best examples of craftsmanship, innovation and material intelligence. 

Trent Jansen and Johnny Nargoodah, Ngumu Janka Warnti. Photo: Remi Chauvin.

A panel of highly respected voices in art and design

The 2025 national judging panel includes Jane Valentine, a multi-award-winning Tasmanian interior designer and co-chair of the Design Institute of Australia, Brian Parkes, CEO of JamFactory in Adelaide and Patrick Hall, a nationally acclaimed Tasmanian artist and designer. 

Hosted by the City of Clarence, this year’s event attracted 45 outstanding entries, with 17 finalists selected for inclusion in the official exhibit from Sunday 7 September to Sunday 5 October. 

Opening night 2023. Photo: Cassie Sullivan.

Clarence Prize alumni attract notoriety

Past winners of the Clarence Prize have gone on to exhibit nationally, feature in leading publications and build thriving careers.

Furniture designer and maker Patrick Adeney was awarded the 2023 Clarence Prize for his Winslow armchair. The design found a delicate balance between form and function, with the chair exploring the interplay between the ‘float’ and the ‘solid’. 

2023 Clarence Prize winner Winslow armchair by Patrick Adeney. Photo: Sam Shelley.

Both Adeney and 2017 finalist Andrew Carvolth have since been announced as finalists in the NGV’s Rigg Design Prize, Australia’s highest-profile interior design award.

Speaking to Australian Design Review about his 2023 Clarence Prize win, Adeney says the award gave him personal validation of the years of development leading up to his win. 

“When building a career in the arts, the prize circuit is an important vehicle to float your work and obtain feedback from the public and your peers,” he says. “It’s not all about winning – even having your design accepted is an achievement.

“The Clarence Prize is also a really nice forum to interact with your cohort of fellow designers. I hope all those involved this year have a wonderful time. Rosny Barn is such a beautiful space and it’s a very special event to be a part of.”

Rhobie Dresser by Liam Starcevich, the 2023 Clarence Price Highly Commended project. Photo: Sam Shelley.

Regional prize with a national reach 

With a stunning rural setting and ambitious programming, the Rosny Farm Arts Precinct is fast becoming a leading arts destination in Australia. The City of Clarence is committed to supporting both local and national artists with a calendar of events and exhibitions.   

Brendan Blomeley, mayor of City of Clarence, which funds and supports the awards program, says the Clarence Prize reflects the strength and ambition of Australian design today. 

“The City of Clarence is proud to be presenting this world-class exhibition,” Blomeley says.

Anton Gerner, Looking through Lake Pieman. Photo: Remi Chauvin.

The Elementary Abacus by Marta Figeuriedo, the 2021 Clarence Prize Highly Commended design. Photo: Remi Chauvin.

The 2025 Clarence Prize exhibition will run from Sunday 7 September to Sunday 5 October, with the official opening and prize announcement event held on Saturday 6 September at Rosny Farm at 5pm.

More information on the Clarence Prize can be found on the Rosny Farm website here.

Lead image of the Clarence Prize opening night from 2023 by Cassie Sullivan.