Entries are now open for the 2022 KYD New Critic Award! Now in its sixth year, this award will assist the vocational development of an early-career critic.

The New Critic Award is open to critics working in all fields of arts and culture (books, film, television, video games, theatre, music, dance, performance, visual arts, etc). We’re particularly interested in writing that speaks to the changing nature of cultural criticism—whether that be critiquing an under-examined art form, experimenting with prose style and structure, or highlighting new or underrepresented voices and perspectives.

The winner will receive a $1000 cash prize and a regular paid column (5 long-form articles at $400 each) in 2022, working closely with KYD editorial staff. Two runners up will each have the opportunity to publish one of their pitch proposals in KYD in 2021 (paid at KYD’s standard contributor rate of $300).

To read the guidelines and to make a submission, go to the submissions page. Entries are open from now until 11.59pm AEDT Tuesday 30 November 2021.

Entries are open to writers all over Australia, including rural and regional areas; we strongly encourage writers from all backgrounds and experience levels to apply.

You must have a current KYD Individual Membership to be eligible for this award. You can become a member for less than $1 a week

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers are encouraged to enter without the need for a KYD Membership.

The winner of the KYD New Critic Award will be announced in December.

The full KYD New Critic Award Submission Guidelines and Terms & Conditions can be found here.

The 2022 Award will be judged by KYD staff and 2021 New Critic May Ngo.

Good luck!