artsACT is conducting an evaluation of the ACT Book of the Year Award and has launched a public survey to collect community comments to assist with its work.
Information gained from the survey will inform the development of the ACT Arts Funding Plan.
In a statement, artsACT said the ACT Book of the Year Award aimed to recognise quality contemporary literary works, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry, by ACT-based authors. It supported the development of ACT-based writers, and promoted writing in the ACT.
“The evaluation will assess the award’s appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency against these aims,” artsACT said.
“The ACT Government offers an ACT Book of the Year Award for excellence in literature, valued at $10,000 for the winner, $2,000 for any highly commended book and $1,000 for each shortlisted book.”
It said the award was aimed at books written by writers who lived in the ACT, or could specifically and strongly demonstrate an ACT-based arts practice.
“Books are considered by an independent judging panel, which recommends a shortlist and winning author to the Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events,” artsACT said.
“While the survey and evaluation is taking place the ACT Book of the Year Award will be closed.”
The cover of the 2018 winner, Dancing Home by Paul Collis, is pictured.
The survey can be accessed at this PS News link.
