Arts Tasmania Director Katherine Hough today congratulated Tasmanian artists Alan Young and Sandra Petersen on being shortlisted for the national Arts Access Australia Art Prize.

"Alan and Sandra are both fantastic artists who have developed their art over a number of years," Ms Hough said.

"They have both been successful in receiving funding through the Arts Tasmania Arts and Disability Fund and have used this funding to further develop their creative practice.

"Alan has successfully created a body of work that has launched him onto the national stage.

"He recently won the Bay of Fires Art Prize and is now represented by the Ray Hughes Gallery in Sydney where he has held a very successful exhibition."

The Arts Access Australia Art Prize is a new national prize for artists with disability, with the winning entry selected by a panel of judges to receive a cash prize of $1000.

Shortlisted works will be showcased in an online gallery at the Arts Access Australia website and will be exhibited at the Arts Activated Conference in October.

"It is a great achievement that two Tasmanian artists have been announced as finalists in the prize's inaugural year," Ms Hough said.

"Arts Tasmania is committed to trying to remove the barriers that may prevent emerging and professional artists with disability from realising their ambitions.

"We are also thrilled that Emma Bennison will take on the role of the Chief Executive Officer for Art Access Australia.

"Ms Bennison is a well-known leader within Australia's arts and disability sector and will be based in Hobart as she runs this important national organisation."