Organizer Information
The National Art School (NAS) is a specialist tertiary visual arts college located in Darlinghurst, Sydney, on the heritage-listed site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol. Its origins trace back to 1843, with roots in the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, and the school has operated on its current Darlinghurst campus in various forms since 1922. NAS is an independent, accredited higher education provider offering full-time studio-based degrees (Bachelor of Fine Art, Master of Fine Art) alongside part-time and short courses, and has trained generations of prominent Australian artists.
The prize is presented in partnership with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, established by the trustees of the estate of Australian artist Sir William Dobell to support Australian art. The Dobell Drawing Prize itself dates back to 2003, when it launched with $20,000 in prize money; the purse increased to $25,000 in 2009, and to its current $30,000 in 2019, the same year the prize relocated to NAS.
Title & Description
25th Dobell Drawing Prize
The Dobell Drawing Prize is a biennial, acquisitive art prize and exhibition dedicated to contemporary drawing practice, presented by the National Art School in partnership with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation. It is open as a call to artists working in drawing broadly defined, including works on paper and alternative formats that expand on traditional drawing practice. Entries are reviewed individually by a panel of three judges, who then convene to select approximately 50 finalists for a group exhibition at NAS Gallery, from which an overall winner is chosen.
Categories
- Drawing
- Visual Arts
Eligibility
- Open only to Australian citizens, permanent residents, or holders of an Australian-issued refugee or humanitarian visa, residing in Australia
- Entrants must be aged 18 years or over
- Each competitor may submit only one entry form, with up to two artworks per form
- Artwork submitted must have been completed within 12 months of the closing date (14 September 2026)
- The entrant must be the original creator and sole rights-holder of the submitted work
Program Benefits & Awards
- $30,000 AUD acquisitive prize, donated by the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, awarded to the overall winner
- The prize amount includes the National Art School's acquisition of the winning work into its permanent collection; copyright in the work remains with the artist
- Inclusion in the finalists' group exhibition at NAS Gallery for all ~50 selected finalists (not just the winner)
- Once in NAS custody, finalist artworks are covered for loss or damage by NAS's insurer
Application Fee
$50 AUD (including GST) per artwork entered, up to two artworks per entrant (maximum $100 AUD). Payment is confirmed by an emailed receipt, which also serves as entry confirmation. No refunds are given for entry fees, including for withdrawals, duplicate entries beyond the first, or artworks not selected.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 14 September 2026
- Judging Panel Convenes: November 2026
- Finalists Announced: Friday 20 November 2026 (per announcement text) / Friday 27 November 2026 (per Terms and Conditions PDF) — discrepancy in the source, not resolved
- Finalist Artwork Delivery: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Friday 26 March 2027
- Winner Announced / Exhibition Opens: Thursday 8 April 2027 (exhibition opening) / Friday 9 April 2027 (finalists' exhibition opens to the public, per T&Cs)
- Exhibition Closes: Saturday 3 July 2027 (T&Cs) / listed as Friday 3 July 2027 in the announcement text — same discrepancy pattern noted above
Location
Sydney, Australia
Additional Details
- Judging: three judges — Joan Ross (artist), Paula Latos-Valier AM (Art Director and Trustee, Sir William Dobell Art Foundation), and Dr Lorraine Kypiotis (National Art School) — review entries individually before convening as a panel; the judges' decision on the winner is final, with no discussion entered into
- Delivery and insurance: finalists are responsible for delivering (personally or via agent), insuring in transit, and collecting their own work; freight costs are the finalist's responsibility and are not reimbursed by NAS
- Display requirements: unframed or unmounted works must be protected in suitable casing or wrapping for handling during installation
- Sales: finalist works may be offered for sale through NAS Gallery; a 40% commission plus GST applies (split with a nominated representative gallery if applicable); NAS acts as commission agent and disburses net proceeds within 14 days of sale; sold works must remain on display until the exhibition closes
- Rights: finalists grant NAS and the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual licence to reproduce, publish, and communicate the work for marketing, publicity, educational, publication, and archival purposes, including sublicensing to NAS's touring partners and sponsors
- A force majeure clause allows NAS to vary, postpone, or cancel the prize in circumstances beyond its reasonable control