So the Soya 2008 shortlist is out, as you would’ve guessed by the title, I’m not on it! I was really hoping to be on it, the quality of my photography have risen so much from last year and judging from last year’s standard, I had a chance.
For all those who don’t know what SOYA is, look here. It’s Spirit of Youth Awards, in association with noise which is an Australian Federal Government initiative and sponsored by Qantas. The prize is pretty good, $5000 worth of flights, $5000 cash and mentorship from one of the industry leaders for winners in each of the 7 catergories. For example this year’s photography mentor is Stephen Dupont, fashion mentor is Peter Morrissey, pretty big names there.
This is the 5th year SOYA’s been running and 2nd year I’ve entered. Once I’ve taken a good look at this year’s shortlist, I can’t help but feel really seriously pissed off and angry. I’ve been on noise for quite a few years now, it started off as a base for young emerging Australian creatives, now it’s expanded to world wide. Until last year, SOYA’s age cut off was 25, setting it as a unique award program for young people. This year, they changed it to 30. The entry process has changed as well, aside from submitting a series of your work, you were also asked to submit as much support materials as you can, things like magazine write ups, other awards, professional websites, etc. After going through each shortlisted photographer’s websites, I can now say SOYA is no longer an award for emerging artists and that’s what pisses me off. So what’s the point of SOYA now? It’s just another award. What’s the difference between it and other creative awards now? What set SOYA apart before was its direct, focused aim at youth. $5000 flight money for poor young people like me, so we can get out and see the world. If you are a well established artist, I don’t see why you need that.
Andrew Quilty is one of the shortlisted photographers this year, he is apart of the highly acclaimed Aussie photography collective Oculi. On the music shortlist is Kate Miller-Heidke, she is signed to SONY BMG and was nominated for 4 Arias last year. Oh come fucking on now! Hardly emerging!
SOYA, you’ve changed! I don’t think I’ll consider entering it for the next few years at least, I’m not an established photographer and no, my folio isn’t at the standards as those shortlisted. And when I’m 29, a jet setting internationally acclaimed photographer, I’ll come back and conquer you SOYA, even if it’s just be another notch on the belt!
Feel free to defend SOYA, I’d like to hear some different views.
PS, just took another close look at the SOYA webiste and I’ll quote a paragraph from their about page.
“The Qantas Spirit Of Youth Awards are Australia’s leading grants program for new creative talent, helping young creative innovators to expand their horizons, build up their business base, and learn the ropes from leading industry figures and some of the greatest creative minds in the world.”
Oh really?!
