Awards
Click here for Artist Opportunities, including Artist Engagements, Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships, Residency Programs, Commissions, Exhibition Proposals, Artist Registries and more.
A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Prize
Applications close Tuesday September 23, 2025
Entries are open to emerging Australian artists who have demonstrated talent and achievement in traditional styles for this major $50,000 award. Shortlisted works will be on view at Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Caulfield VIC 3162, from November 14 to December 7; www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Bale.
The Agency Still Life Prize 2025
Entries close 4pm, Wednesday July 9, 2025
Bowral & District Art Society (BDAS) is calling for submissions for The Agency Still Life Prize 2025. First Prize $5,000; Second Prize $1,000, People’s Choice $250. All works must be for sale. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral NSW 2576, from July 26 to August 10. Call or visit the website for entry forms; (02) 4861-4093, www.bdasgallery.com/entryforms.
Bowness Photography Prize 2025
Entries close Friday June 13, 2025
Artists are invited to submit still photo-based media, including analogue and digital photography, created over the last year. The winning artist’s work will be acquired into MAPh’s collection, and the winner will receive $50,000. Two Honourable Mentions will each receive $2,500. One artist will receive the Wai Tang Commissioning Award, and one artist the People’s Choice Award; maph.org.au/bowness-photography-prize.
Calleen Art Award 2025
Entries close Sunday July 6, 2025
Entries are now open for the Calleen Art Award 2025 acquisitive painting prize worth $30,000. The award was founded in 1977 by art patron Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM. The winning artwork will join the Calleen Art Collection. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Cowra NSW 2794, from August 30 to October 5. Contact: (02) 6340-2190, cowraartgallery@cowra.nsw.gov.au. Information: cowraartgallery.com.au, calleenartaward.com.au.
Ceramic Break – 2025 Triennial Acquisition Sculpture Prize
Entries close Sunday July 20, 2025
Entries are open for the Ceramic Break $12,000 Triennial Acquisition Sculpture Prize, presented by Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, Warialda NSW 2402. Exhibition September 1 to December 10. Enter via website or form.jotform.com/242337787807873.
Crescendo 2025 Artist Book Award
Submissions close Friday August 1, 2025
Clifton School of Arts (CSA) presents Crescendo 2025 Artist Book Award. Open to artists living in Australia and the Asia Pacific. Selected books will be exhibited at the Clifton School of Arts on the northern Illawarra Coast of NSW in November 2025. $5,000 for the winning entry, and $1,000 for a local artist’s book. Entry forms and Terms and Conditions are available from the CSA website; artsclifton.org/crescendo2025/.
Eckersley’s Art & Craft Prize 2025
Entries close Thursday July 31, 2025
Eckersley’s Art & Craft celebrates 60 years with the launch of the inaugural Eckersley’s Art & Craft Prize, inviting submissions of all types of 2D and 3D artworks made with analogue art materials. Total prize pool of $25,000. Exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea NSW 2227, from September 6 to 23; www.eckersleys.com.au.
FAC Open Exhibition Prize
Online applications close Wednesday July 2, 2025
The Frankston Arts Centre is seeking submissions from Victorian artists and all mediums to form part of a group exhibition that will explore the theme of ‘stories’. A platform for artists to exhibit their artwork and tell stories through their art or share stories about their creative process and what inspires them. The winning artist will be awarded $1,000, a FAC Exhibition and an Opening Event in 2026. Entry $18. Enquiries: (03) 9768-1361 or thefac.com.au.
Hawkesbury Art Prize 2025
Entries close 5pm, Friday July 18, 2025
Artists are invited to enter the non-acquisitive Hawkesbury Art Prize. First Prize is $15,000 plus a two-week Hawkesbury Art Residency. Two $1,000 highly commended prizes and an additional art residency will also be awarded. Visit the website for details and entry form; www.hawkesburyartprize.com.au.
Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award 2025
Submissions close Monday June 30, 2025
Entries are open for the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award. A total of $26,000 in prizes will be awarded across four categories. Finalists will be exhibited at Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea NSW 2227, from September 27 to January 25, 2026. Visit the website for more information; www.hazelhurst.com.au.
Hornsby Art Prize 2025
Entries close Thursday August 7, 2025
This non-acquisitive Hornsby Art Prize has an overall prize pool value of $23,000, with the major prize worth $10,000. Artists are invited to submit works in the following categories: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, and Sculpture. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby NSW 2077, from September 12 to 28; hornsby.nsw.gov.au/artprize.
Lanyon Art Prize 2025
Entries close 5pm (AEST) Sunday July 6, 2025
The Lanyon Art Prize, a regional, non-acquisitive prize and exhibition, invites artists from the ACT and region to submit works that respond to Lanyon Homestead. Through their response, artists can explore what Lanyon Homestead means within the broader context of Canberra’s past, present and future. The Lanyon Art Prize has a prize pool of $20,000. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa ACT 2620, from August 23 to November 2; www.historicplaces.com.au/whats-on.
The Lester Prize
Entries close 5pm (AWST), Thursday June 19, 2025
Entries are open for Western Australia’s premier portrait prize – The Lester Prize, which offers a prize pool of $130,000 spread across six categories, including The Richard Lester Prize for Portraiture, valued at $50,000. Open to all artists. The 2025 exhibition will be held at WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000, from September 19 to November 16. Go online for Terms and Conditions and to enter; lesterprize.com.
MAC yapang Art Prize
Entries close 3pm, Wednesday July 30, 2025
This national art prize has a total prize pool of over $40,000.The winning artist of the acquisitive prize will be awarded $30,000, and their artwork will be acquired by the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang for their permanent collection. Open to artists from all disciplines across Australia, with artworks in any medium. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang, Booragul NSW 2284, from October 18 to December 7; mac.lakemac.com.au.
Maquette: Sculpture Award
Entries close 11.59pm (AEST), Friday June 27, 2025
A $20,000 acquisitive award for an original sculpture. In 2025, this award will be granted to an outstanding, original sculpture which will become part of the McClelland collection. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at McClelland, Langwarrin VIC 3910, from November 15 to March 2026; mcclelland.org.au.
9 x 5 Landscape Art Prize
Entries close 5pm, Monday June 30, 2025
Now in its 10th year, the Waverley Woollahra Art School’s 9 x 5 Landscape Art Prize continues to attract artists eager to explore Australia’s Impressionist tradition. Open to participants over 16 years old, the competition echoes the spontaneity of its predecessors who famously painted outdoors on small cigar boxes. Entries may be paintings in any medium, including oil, acrylic or watercolour on a 9 x 5 plywood board, supplied free with each entry. The theme is open. First Prize $2,000. More prizes to be announced; wwas.org.au.
Paddington Art Prize
Entries close 5pm, Sunday August 10, 2025
The 22nd annual, national acquisitive $30,000 Paddington Art Prize for paintings inspired by the Australian landscape, plus a further ten non-acquisitive awards. The 22nd Paddington Art Prize exhibition of national finalists runs from October 16 to 26. Opening Night & Prize Presentation: Thursday October 16, 6–8pm; www.paddingtonartprize.com.au.
Perth Royal Art Prize for Landscape
Entries close midnight, Sunday July 6, 2025
This competition invites artists from across the state to showcase their talent within the theme of ‘landscape’, offering a $20,000 non-acquisitive first prize. In addition to presenting their work to the public, finalists gain invaluable networking prospects, connect with new audiences, and explore new markets, including through the Perth Royal Art Prize’s online sales platform; www.perthroyalshow.com.au/competitions.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize
Entries close 3.30pm, Saturday July 5, 2025
This is an open exhibition for all artists residing in Queensland, with a prize pool of $30,000. Artists are asked to submit an artwork that reflects what makes Brisbane and its surrounding attractions unique. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Petrie Terrace Gallery, Brisbane QLD 4000, from September 3 to 28; rqas.com.au/event/qwbap-2025.
STILL: National Still Life Award
Entries close Sunday July 6, 205
The STILL: National Still Life Award is a biennial, acquisitive award for still life artworks, open to artists at all stages of their practice and working across all mediums, with a prize pool of $36,000. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM), Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, from September 6 to November 9; www.yarrilaartsandmuseum.com.au.
Strathnairn Arts Small Sculpture Prize
Entries close 5pm, Wednesday July 9, 2025
Strathnairn Arts’ inaugural non-acquisitive prize is open to all Australian artists for sculptural works that are freestanding, non-site specific, three-dimensional, or wall-mounted (not exceeding 50cm or 30kg). Prize pool of $14,000. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Woolshed Gallery, Holt ACT 2615, from September 6 to October 5; www.strathnairn.com.au/sass.
Urunga Small Sculpture Prize
Entries close 6pm, Sunday August 10, 2025
The Urunga Small Sculpture Prize is a regional award offering $10,000 in prizes. The award supports and promotes original freestanding or wall-mounted sculptures in any medium. An exhibition of finalists’ works will be held at Urunga Art Space, Urunga NSW 2455, from September 13 to October 11, urungasmallsculptureprize.com.au.
West Torrens Art Prize
Entries open Tuesday July 1 and close Tuesday September 30, 2025
South Australian artists producing original 2D artworks in any medium are invited to enter artworks reflecting the theme of ‘Colour in West Torrens’. Four prizes will be awarded: the acquisitive West Torrens Art Prize $4,000; two Highly Commended Prizes $1,000 each; and the People’s Choice Prize $500; www.westtorrens.sa.gov.au.
The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Entries close Sunday July 13, 2025
Artists are invited to submit original freestanding sculptures of up to 80cm in any dimension for The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize 2025. The annual award has a total prize pool of $29,000 across four categories on offer. The exhibition will be on display at Woollahra Gallery, Redleaf NSW 2025, from September 26 to November 16; woollahragallery.com.au.
Young Paddo Prize 2025
Entries close 5pm, Sunday June 29, 2025
Inaugural annual, national Young Paddo Prize for an A4 painting on paper, inspired by the Australian landscape, for young artists aged 5–18 years. An exhibition of 20 national Young Paddo Prize finalists’ works will be held alongside the 22nd Paddington Art Prize exhibition of national finalists, October 16 to 26. Young Paddo Prize Presentation: Sunday October 19, 2pm; www.paddingtonartprize.com.au/youngpaddoprize.