2026 Judges
Craig Donarski
Arts, Culture & Creative Industries Leader
Craig has had a lifelong love of all the arts, from being a musician and visual artist in his teens to the present, when he recently took up the new role of Senior Western Sydney Programs Lead at Create NSW, our state’s main arts funding body.
Before that he was Manager Arts, Culture and Creative Industries for the recently refurbished White Bay Power Station from 2023 – 2025, programming a wide range of multi-arts events into this epic and exciting new venue, from Power Up (featuring the Glebe Art Society) to the first series of Portrait Artist of the Year.
Prior to this, Craig was Director of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) for seven years from 2016 – 2023. With Craig at the helm of policy and programming for CPAC, Liverpool’s arts and culture presence, deeply connected to the area’s rich multicultural and Indigenous heritage, gained positive exposure.
For four decades Craig has been a major contributor to Australia’s vibrant arts and culture, including seven years at Sydney Film Festival and the 16 regional events under the Travelling Film Festival banner prior to taking over Casula Powerhouse.
Before then Craig spent 11 years at Sydney Opera House in the Producers Unit, in a team developing a range of creative and engaging programs, festivals and special events which added to SOH’s celebrated cultural offering, from the legendary Studio program to the Spiegeltent on the Forecourt to festivals including the earliest iterations of Vivid (with Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed and more), Graphic, Message Sticks and many more.
Craig began his career at the ABC in 1986 as a Broadcasting Trainee, leading to twelve years working as a Broadcaster, Documentary Producer then Executive Producer at youth radio station Triple J, including some stints with other ABC radio outlets and ABC TV.
Gaanesh Prasad (GP) - Photography prize judge
A Construction Project Manager by profession and a photographer by passion. My photography journey began a little over ten years ago, initially as a way to relieve stress, but it quickly evolved into a significant part of my life.
I enjoy various genres including travel photography, culture, street scenes, and landscapes, I always look for stories and decisive moments. I often wait patiently for hours to capture the perfect shot, demonstrating my passion for the craft.
My work has earned me several prestigious accolades, including the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year award and the Australian Mono Award. My photograph has been featured on Apple Billboards across 26 countries.
Beyond these achievements, I find joy in the continuous journey of photography, always eager to learn, adapt, and create new images that tell compelling stories. Currently, I am a contributor to National Geographic Your Shot on Instagram and run a photographic community, Photowalk Global, with over 15,000 members collectively from Instagram and Facebook.
