Short Description
Founded in 2021, the National Emerging Art Prize was established to provide a highly visible national platform to identify, promote and
support Australia’s most promising emerging visual and ceramic artists. The prize exists not only to offer a robust and highly visible platform to showcase artists in the emerging stages of their careers but also to furnish the winners and runners-up with a significant cash prize and a suite of non-cash prizes to further support their practice and to provide a pathway to a long-term art career and representation. In 2025, the National Emerging Art Prize has expanded into contemporary photography with the addition of a new category, The National Emerging Art Prize for Photography.
Eligibility
The painting category is open to works on board, canvas or paper. As the prize is focused on the practice of painting, works need to demonstrate the artist’s skill in this area. The photography category is open to film and digital photographs presented as still, two-dimensional works.
The term emerging indicates that the artist is not yet formally represented by a major commercial gallery. Artists may have exhibited casually with smaller commercial galleries however are unable to sustain a career based on the sales of their work.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
Offering a total prize pool of $30,000, up to 25 finalists will be invited to participate in an exhibition in November with all works available for sale to the public. This prize looks to connect collectors with emerging artists.
The overall single winning entry will receive an acquisitive $20,000 cash prize – donated by our Major Sponsor, Morgans Financial Limited.
The 2025 winner also receives the Michael Reid Gallery Prize of a solo exhibition at Michael Reid Northern Beaches in the following year.
Overall Winner:
- $20,000 acquisitive Cash Prize from Morgans Financial Limited
- A solo exhibition at The Garden Gallery, presented by Michael Reid Northern Beaches in 2026.
- 3 x 1 hour mentoring sessions with Michael Reid OAM, Gallery Director Toby Meagher, and Curator Amber Creswell Bell
- Winners will also receive a suite of non-cash prizes including art transport, flights, Belle magazine subscription, professional photographic documentation and more.
Award of Excellence:
- $2000 non-acquisitive cash prize from Morgans Financial
- A 1-hour mentoring session with Michael Reid OAM, Gallery Director Toby Meagher, and Curator Amber Creswell Bell
- $500 art book pack from Thames & Hudson
Entry Fee
Each entry is $35 non-refundable.
Location
Sydney, Australia
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 September 2025
Website Link: https://nationalemergingartprize.com.au/about/
