The Alice Prize launched to great fanfare in a corrugated iron shed at the old Alice Springs showgrounds in 1970. It was a remarkable achievement having only been conceived the year prior when a group of committed locals formed the Alice Springs Art Foundation, led by founding President Bernie Kilgariff MLA. The Foundation was determined to put Alice Springs on the map by staging a national art prize and bringing the art of acclaimed artists to the Centre for locals to experience and enjoy. The 1970 Alice Prize had prize money of AUD2,000 and comprised 207 entries, all transported to the Centre for free, by Ansett Airlines after Bernie brokered a deal with his mate and owner Reg Ansett. It was an incredible success and plans were put in place to make it an annual event.