NSW Art Prizes 2026 Guide | Deadlines, Entry Fees & Prize Money for Artists
Discover the best NSW art prizes for 2026, including key dates, entry details, prize money, and how to apply—your complete guide to finding and entering art competitions across New South Wales. The links below will take you to their main website where you may need to still search for the art prize.
Mosman Art Prize
Location: Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: Approx. $70,000 acquisitive prize
Entry Dates: Typically May–June
Deadline: June (approx.)
Exhibition Dates: Sept–Nov
Entry Cost: ~$45–$55
Website: https://mosmanartgallery.org.au
Notes: One of Australia’s longest-running municipal prizes
Paddington Art Prize
Location: Paddington, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: $30,000 (major prize)
Entry Dates: March–May
Deadline: May
Exhibition Dates: June
Entry Cost: ~$55
Website: https://paddingtonartprize.com.au
North Sydney Art Prize
Location: North Sydney NSW
Prize Money: ~$30,000
Entry Dates: May–June
Deadline: June
Exhibition Dates: July–Aug
Entry Cost: ~$40–$50
Website: https://northsydney.nsw.gov.au
Waverley Art Prize
Location: Bondi Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: ~$15,000 total
Entry Dates: May–June
Deadline: June
Exhibition Dates: Sept
Entry Cost: ~$30–$50
Website: https://waverley.nsw.gov.au
GreenWay Art Prize
Location: Inner West Sydney NSW
Prize Money: ~$10,000
Entry Dates: June–July
Deadline: July
Exhibition Dates: Aug
Entry Cost: ~$25–$35
Website: https://greenwayartprize.com.au
Kedumba Drawing Award
Location: Kedumba Gallery, NSW
Prize Money: ~$20,000 acquisitive
Entry Dates: June–Aug
Deadline: Aug
Exhibition Dates: Oct–Nov
Entry Cost: ~$35–$45
Website: https://kfa.org.au
Blacktown City Art Prize
Location: Blacktown Arts Centre NSW
Prize Money: ~$20,000
Entry Dates: March–April
Deadline: April
Exhibition Dates: May–July
Entry Cost: ~$30–$50
Website: https://blacktownarts.com.au
Calleen Art Award
Location: Cowra Regional Art Gallery NSW
Prize Money: ~$30,000 acquisitive
Entry Dates: June–July
Deadline: July
Exhibition Dates: Oct–Nov
Entry Cost: ~$40–$50
Website: https://cowraartgallery.com.au
Burwood Art Prize
Location: Burwood NSW
Prize Money: ~$10,000
Entry Dates: April–May
Deadline: May
Exhibition Dates: July
Entry Cost: ~$25–$40
Website: https://burwood.nsw.gov.au
Hornsby Art Prize
Location: Hornsby NSW
Prize Money: ~$23,000 total
Entry Dates: July–Aug
Deadline: Aug
Exhibition Dates: Sept–Oct
Entry Cost: ~$30–$40
Website: https://hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Hunters Hill Art Prize
Location: Hunters Hill NSW
Prize Money: ~$10,000
Entry Dates: Feb–March
Deadline: March
Exhibition Dates: May
Entry Cost: ~$25–$40
Website: Local council site
Gosford Art Prize
Location: Gosford Regional Gallery NSW
Prize Money: ~$25,000 acquisitive
Entry Dates: June–July
Deadline: July
Exhibition Dates: Sept–Nov
Entry Cost: ~$30–$50
Website: https://centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize
Location: Gordon, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: $50,000+ total pool
Entry Dates: April–June
Deadline: June
Exhibition Dates: Aug–Sept
Entry Cost: ~$45–$65
Website: https://ravenswoodartprize.com.au
Portia Geach Memorial Award
Location: SH Ervin Gallery, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: ~$35,000
Entry Dates: April–May
Deadline: May
Exhibition Dates: Nov–Jan
Entry Cost: ~$50
Website: https://shervingallery.com.au
Grace Cossington Smith Art Award
Location: Abbotsleigh, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: ~$35,000
Entry Dates: June–July
Deadline: July
Exhibition Dates: Sept
Entry Cost: ~$40–$60
Website: https://abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au
Darling Portrait Prize
Location: National Portrait Gallery touring / NSW entries
Prize Money: ~$20,000
Entry Dates: Varies
Entry Cost: Varies
Website: https://portrait.gov.au
Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Location: Woollahra NSW
Prize Money: $25,000 major prize
Entry Dates: June–July
Deadline: July
Exhibition Dates: Oct
Entry Cost: ~$70
Sculpture by the Sea (Bondi Prize)
Location: Bondi to Tamarama, Sydney NSW
Prize Money: $70,000+ total prizes
Entry Dates: Feb–March
Deadline: March
Exhibition Dates: Oct–Nov
Entry Cost: ~$30–$50
Website: https://sculpturebythesea.com
Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA)
Location: Grafton Regional Gallery NSW
Prize Money: ~$35,000 acquisitive
Entry Dates: July–Aug
Deadline: Aug
Exhibition Dates: Oct–Nov
Entry Cost: ~$40–$50
Website: https://graftongallery.nsw.gov.au
Final Note
Art prizes are one of the best ways to grow your profile, gain recognition, and connect with new audiences—but staying on top of deadlines and opportunities can be overwhelming. Whether you're emerging or established, taking the time to enter even a few well-chosen prizes each year can open unexpected doors for your art career.
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