The award will celebrate outstanding work in the field of contemporary metal work by designers and craftspeople - both established and emerging.

The prize is named after the late Robert Foster, who was the founder of Fink & Co., based in Queanbeyan, and the creator of the signature Fink water jug, which has become a design icon.

He was a prolific maker whose works had featured in collections both nationally and internationally, including New York's Museum of Modern Art, London's Victoria and Albert Museum and major Australian institutions including the National Gallery of Australia.

"We are privileged to work with Fink & Co. to launch this significant prize," Craft ACT chief executive and artistic director Jodie Cunningham says.

"It is an honour to acknowledge the important contribution the late Robert Foster made to contemporary design and metal work in Australia, and we are incredibly grateful to the Tall Foundation and Fink & Co. for their generous contribution to this prize which supports innovation and skill development in contemporary craft and design."

The Robert Foster Fink National Metal Prize is open to Australian-based metal working artists who create hollow-ware, flatware, lighting, small scale sculpture and objects.

Ten artists will be selected as finalists and have their work exhibited at Craft ACT as part of the DESIGN Canberra Festival in 2022. From the finalists, three makers will be selected and awarded cash prizes including a major award of $10,000, an emerging artist award of $3000 and the Tall Foundation acquisition award of $5000.

The 10 artists, including a minimum of three emerging artists, will be selected by the panel of judges - National Gallery of Victoria's Ewan McEoin, Jam Factory's Brian Parkes, and University of Tasmania's Rohan Nicols.

Submissions are open from April 28 to June 28. For more information go to craftact.org.au.

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