The inaugural Artbank Prize is a national open call for Australian artists who are not currently represented in the Artbank collection.
One artist from each state and territory will be selected as a finalist, with the eight finalists exhibited at Artbank Sydney. One artwork will be awarded the Artbank Prize and acquired into the Artbank collection, up to the value of AUD $20,000.
Established to recognise and support outstanding contemporary practice, the prize aims to champion new voices and broaden the representation of contemporary Australian art within the national collection. The finalist exhibition will be accompanied by a series of public programs celebrating the selected artists.
The 2026 judging panel includes artist Tony Albert, curator Ellie Buttrose and arts journalist Elizabeth Fortescue, alongside the Artbank curatorial team.
Key Dates:
Entries close: Friday 13 March 2026, 5pm
Finalists announced: 5 June 2026
Exhibition: 3 September – 30 October 2026
Winner announced: 3 September 2026
Free to enter.
