Competition: Lifting the spirits of our creative youth

Jodee Knowles, She-Goat, Visual Arts entrant

It may be an inspiring existence, but life as a young emerging creative isn’t exactly a life of painting and parties. In fact, sometimes it can become such a mumble jumble that we can feel as if we've toppled over into some obscure yogic inversion. So to make sure you are all standing the right way up as we head into 2012, we thought we would splash around some splendid news.  For seven years running now, Qantas have provided emerging Australian talents with an opportunity to enter their Qantas Spirit Of Youth Awards 365, aka SOYA365 and they're here to save the day once again. The competition, as the title may suggest, runs all year round and is a grant-based program. Creatives are asked to enter their work within the category of fashion, interactive gaming, music, writing, film-making, design, photography, craft, visual art or animation. Eleven talented creatures will find themselves travelling around the world to Texas, London, LA, Barcelona, Cannes, New York and everywhere in between. Now this is the lifestyle that is meant to sit alongside us artistic folk. Furthermore, winners will find themselves learning from the best, through the initiative's mentoring program. The likes of Marc Newsom, Zimmermann, Ashley Ringrose and Brad Eldridge are the standard of creative leaders that will be potentially offering you the ultimate in the tricks of the trade. So ladies and gentlemen, roll over and turn that frown upside down - it's time to get those creative juices flowing. Best of luck for the flight of a lifetime. Enter here if you wish.