golden fleece award

The Golden Fleece Award is the largest prize open to both artists and makers in Ireland. Its mission, enacted in accordance with the wishes of its founder, Lillias Mitchell, informs how it is adjudicated and distributed.

The mission of the Golden Fleece Award is to provide resources for practising contemporary visual artists and makers to innovate and develop their artistic vision, in accordance with Lillias’ intentions as set out in her Letter of Wishes to her Trustees:

It has always been my wish that those with talent be encouraged to develop their talents, particularly in Ireland … I am very conscious of the fact that many artists cannot develop their talents because their art does not bring in a steady income for them and yet they need to support themselves financially … My wish is to give artists a 'boost' in times of particular need … I have set up this trust [for] artists in need who are interested in pursuing their careers as artists.

Once the submission deadline passes, all applications received are assessed by a specialist Advisory Panel and the Golden Fleece Board of Trustees which, according to Lillias’ wishes, includes members of the Mitchell family, independent consultants, and arts experts. Entrants are updated on the status of their applications in February the following year, with the Award Ceremony and announcement of the prizewinners following in March.