ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize

With that in mind, the ArtsNational Philanthropic Fund is now presenting the inaugural ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize recognising excellence in artistic practice. ArtsNational is calling for entries from practicing professional visual artists and tertiary art students between the ages of 18 and 35 who are permanent Australian residents. This prize is designed to recognise and award an artist’s working practice, rather than an individual work. It is not an acquisition prize. While the winner will receive $20,000, winning the ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize offers not only practical financial help but also provides an invaluable introduction to ArtsNational’s network of art lovers and collectors nationally.

Recognises excellence in artistic practice.

ArtsNational is a volunteer-led Australia-wide organisation that provides an annual program of arts talks and events. Our members, spread across 36 societies, are passionate believers in the transformative power of the arts and our mission is to advocate for a diverse and vibrant cultural landscape across the nation.

The ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize is open to visual artists between the ages of 18 – 35 who are permanent residents of Australia. Artwork entered must be created by practicing professional visual artists, tertiary students or artists aligned with a recognised Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander arts centre, working in drawing, painting, print, digital/video, photography, sculpture or mixed media.

As this is an emerging artist prize, ArtsNational is calling on artists that are not yet formally represented by a commercial gallery. However, unrepresented participation in a group show at a commercial gallery and/or participation in a solo exhibition(s) may be accepted at the sole discretion of ArtsNational and/or the judging panel. In assessing eligibility, ArtsNational reserves the right in its sole discretion to allow artists to participate in ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize.

Artist must submit the following via the ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize portal:
- Three (3) digital images of the artist’s original work
- A written description of the artist’s art practice (limited to 300 words)
- A statement of purpose outlining how the artist will use the prize money to further their artistic practice should they win the ArtsNational Emerging Artist Prize 2026 (limited to 200 words)
- A brief CV, no more than 2 pages (A4)