Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Award
OPENS: 5 JULY 2021
CLOSES: 8 OCTOBER 2021
Established in 1981 in honour of one-time Lane Cove local Dr. Lloyd Rees, the biennial Lloyd Rees Youth Art Award promotes and supports emerging Australian artists aged 18-29 years. The top acquisitive prize of $8,000 sponsored by Lane Cove Council also includes a curated solo exhibition two years after, alongside the following edition of the award exhibition.
Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 20 AUGUST 2021
Held every two years at Bendigo Art Gallery, this prestigious acquisitive prize attracts some of Australia’s most accomplished artists, awarding a generous cash prize of $50,000.
Georges River Art Prize
OPENS: 5 JULY 2021
CLOSES: 27 AUGUST 2021
Hosted by Hurstville Museum & Gallery and the Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah, the Georges River Art Prize offers $20,000 in prize money. Open to artists from all over Australia, categories include painting and sculptural work, children and youth, and local artists.
Darling Portrait Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 10 JANUARY 2022
A national prize for Australian portrait painting, the Darling Portrait Prize winner receives $75,000. The prize honours the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015), who was instrumental in establishing the National Portrait Gallery.
The Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 15 AUGUST 2021
Promoting excellence in contemporary Australian drawing, the annual Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize is open to all practicing Australian contemporary artists. Hosted by Noosa Regional Gallery, the winner receives $5000.
Bay of Fires Art Prize
OPENS: 1 DECEMBER 2021
CLOSES: 31 MARCH 2022
In its 10th year, the $20,000 Bay of Fires Art Prize is an acquisitive prize held in St Helens, Tasmania. The prize accepts visual arts from artists around the world.
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 16 JULY 2021
Running for over 30 years, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize has a major award of $20,000 for Australian artists. This year’s theme is Identity: Individuality in a modern world.
The Blake Prize
OPENS: 9 AUGUST 2021
CLOSES: 15 NOVEMBER 2021
Run by Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, the 67th Blake Prize welcomes entries that explore diverse expressions of spiritual and religious imaginations through contemporary art. Local and international artists vie for a main prize of $35,000.
Paddington Art Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
Paintings inspired by the Australian landscape compete for the $30,000 Paddington Art acquisitive prize. There are also five non-acquisitive prizes, among them a joint exhibition for two selected finalists at the Defiance Gallery/Nock Foundation Residency & Exhibition.
Fisher’s Ghost Art Award
OPENS: 14 JULY 2021
CLOSES: 8 SEPTEMBER 2021
Now in its 59th year, the annual Fisher’s Ghost Art Award offers $38,000 in prize money, with the open section valued at $25,000. Artists are invited to submit works in a variety of artistic categories and mediums.
The Kennedy Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 30 JULY 2021
The Kennedy Arts Foundation presents the Kennedy Prize, an annual Australian arts award of $25,000. Open to Australian artists, prizes are awarded to works that embody, comment on or celebrate the theme of beauty.
By George! International Biennial Art Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 1 SEPTEMBER 2021
The Foundation for Hellenic Studies invites artists to explore the theme ‘Independence. What is it good for?’ An inaugural international biennial, By George! offers an $11,000 prize pool for artists aged 16+ from around the world.
Sculpture in the Valley
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 10 JULY 2021
Held in Kangaroo Valley, Bellawongarah, Sculpture in the Valley invites sculptors to submit their works to compete for $37,000 in total prize money. There’s a $20,000 outdoor sculpture award and a $10,000 indoor sculpture award.
The Lester Prize
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 5 JULY 2021
Artists from across Australia are invited to submit a self-portrait or portrait of an Australian (or Australians) that they respect or admire. The prestigious Lester Prize has over $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Calleen Art Award
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 19 JULY 2021
Founded in 1977 by Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM, the Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive painting prize in any subject and style. The winner receives $25,000 and their artwork will join the Calleen Collection at Cowra Regional Art Gallery.
Banyule Award for Works on Paper
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
CLOSES: 16 JULY 2021
The Banyule Award for Works on Paper is awarded biennially to an outstanding contemporary work on paper. The winning artwork is entered into the Banyule Art Collection and the artist takes home $10,000. The theme this year is ‘Community’.
