Organizer Information
The Basil Sellers Art Prize is a major Australian acquisitive art prize established in 2004 by businessman, philanthropist, and art collector Basil Sellers AM. The Prize is presented through the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre in partnership with Eurobodalla Shire Council and has developed a strong artist-first ethos focused on accessibility, care, and support for artists at different stages of their careers. As a regional art institution, the Prize welcomes artists from across Australia and aims to provide meaningful recognition, exhibition exposure, and opportunities for artworks to enter significant collections.
Title & Description
Basil Sellers Art Prize - National Australian Art Prize
The Basil Sellers Art Prize 2026 is a national biennial competition celebrating artistic excellence in traditional 2D art. The Prize is open to Australian residents aged 18 and over and invites original works created within 12 months of the opening of the 2026 call.
The competition focuses specifically on painting, drawing, and printmaking, with an emphasis on unique-state prints rather than limited editions or copies. The major award is acquisitive, meaning the winning artwork will be acquired by Basil Sellers AM for his private collection.
The 2026 Prize offers a total prize pool of more than AUD $55,000, including the major acquisitive award and the AUD $5,000 Eurobodalla Award for an outstanding eligible local artist.
Categories
- Painting
- Drawing
- Printmaking
- 2D Traditional Media
Eligibility
The competition is open to Australian residents aged 18 or over whose principal place of residence is Australia. Artists at all stages of their careers, from emerging to established practitioners, are encouraged to apply.
Submitted artworks must:
- Be created within 12 months of 1 June 2026.
- Be created by one artist.
- Be 2D works in painting, drawing, or printmaking.
- Be unique state prints; limited editions and copies are not accepted.
- Not involve the use of AI.
- Be exhibition-ready and appropriately framed or fitted for display.
- Not exceed 180 × 180 cm including framing.
- Not exceed 20 kg.
- Be available for sale and for the full exhibition period.
Artists may submit unlimited entries, but only one artwork per artist can become a finalist.
Program Benefits & Awards
The Prize offers a total prize pool of more than AUD $55,000, with the major acquisitive award valued at AUD $50,000. The winning work will be acquired by Basil Sellers AM for his private collection.
Artists from Eurobodalla are also eligible for the AUD $5,000 Eurobodalla Award, with the winning artwork acquired into the Eurobodalla Shire Council permanent collection.
Finalists benefit from inclusion in the Basil Sellers Art Prize exhibition. Additional support includes artwork transportation assistance, an AUD $100 framing subsidy for finalists, and artwork insurance while works are in the possession and control of the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre. Major prize and Eurobodalla Award winners receive additional publicity, including artist profiles on the Bas website. Public programs and media opportunities may also be arranged with selected artists.
A People’s Choice Award will be announced after the exhibition concludes.
Application Fee
The entry fee is AUD $50 per artwork. Artists may submit unlimited entries, with each artwork requiring a separate application and fee.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 September 2026
- Finalists announced: 16 October 2026
- Opening & winners announced: 4 December 2026
- Exhibition: 5 December 2026 – 30 January 2027
- People’s Choice Award: Announced after the exhibition concludes
Location
Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, Eurobodalla, New South Wales, Australia
Additional Details
Finalists must enter into an artist agreement with the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre. Artists retain copyright of their works, although finalists grant Eurobodalla Shire Council permission to reproduce their works for promotional and documentation purposes. The commission on artwork sales is 30% inclusive of GST. Finalists are responsible for ensuring their submitted digital image accurately represents the artwork and must provide one JPEG image per entry.