Sir Sidney Nolan was a leading artist of the 20th century who settled permanently in the UK from 1953 becoming a major name in British art. A key figure in the development of Australian modernism, he is especially celebrated for his iconic paintings of the bushranger outlaw Ned Kelly but never ceased to innovate, experiment and challenge in his practice which spanned paint, print, photography, theatre design and more.
Nolan travelled widely and his ideas and paintings became increasingly occupied by the turbulence of world events: the legacies of colonialism, war and conflict, globalisation, and animal extinctions.
The brief for this new prize recognises Nolan’s ambitious and restless curiosity and concern, and commitment to art as a way to address acute and current questions of human experience, and how we relate to one another and our world.
Nolan founded the Trust in his name in 1985 to further his vision of a rural centre for the arts in the beautiful landscape of the Welsh Marches. Based at his final home The Rodd, a 400-year old manor house and estate, the Trust works to enable inspiring encounters with the arts, heritage and our environment – for artists, children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. The charity also cares for, and enables access to, an internationally significant collection of Nolan’s art, his extensive archive, his only surviving studio, and little-altered Jacobean house Rodd Court.
The main gallery space is housed within an 18th century tithe barn which was one of Nolan’s main painting spaces during his time at The Rodd. The gallery is fitted with modern white exhibition walls of 2.4m in height.
Framed 2D work should not exceed 2m in height.
3D work and hanging installations may use the historic structure of the barn. 3D work and hanging installations should not exceed 3m in height.
Film/Video should not exceed 10 mins. If selected, artists will be required to send an MP4 file of their film/video.
Application Requirements:
Submission must be made via the completion of an online application in the portal and should follow all the directions included. Completed forms must be accompanied by entry fee payment made online within the form.
- You may enter up to 3 artworks, you may also provide 2 supporting images of each work to show details or a range of viewpoints.
- Entry cost is £15 for first entry and £10 second and third entries.
- Images need to be under 5MB and the recommended file type is JPEG.
- Make sure you have the dimensions for each submission ready to add to the portal. You will be asked to share the height, width and depth, and weight, alongside installation instructions if applying to show work in any of the exterior sites.
- You will be asked for an artist statement
Eligibility:
Open to all artists both UK and internationally over the age of 18 years old. Collaborations and cross-disciplinary approaches are welcomed and encouraged.
Program Benefits or Awards:
SOLO EXHIBITION AT THE SIDNEY NOLAN TRUST
An artist or collaboration will be selected to receive a cash award of £1,000 and present a solo exhibition of new work at The Rodd during the Trust’s 2027 Season (April – September). The exhibition offers an artist a unique opportunity to present a solo show at Sidney Nolan’s former home and to the Trust’s growing local, regional and international audiences.
RESIDENCY AT THE SIDNEY NOLAN TRUST
An artist or a collaboration will be selected for a two-week residency at The Rodd during Winter/Spring 2026/2027. Residencies for emerging and established artists have been an important part of the Trust’s work and we are delighted to offer this opportunity for exploration of creative practice in the setting of the Marches landscape. The awardee will have access to explore Nolan’s library and archive as part of their time with us.
One to one Professional Practice Mentoring
With Penny Harris
Emma Parker and Penny Harris created Parker Harris in 1990. For over 30 years, we’ve been one of the leading art consultancies in the UK. We oversee art prizes and exhibitions spanning all disciplines and scales, as well as commissions, both public and private. We work with galleries, collectors, corporate sponsors, and artists around the world. We share our decades of experience with contemporary artists to give them the knowledge they need to build successful and sustainable careers.
Artist Residency at Burren College of Art
In partnership with the Sidney Nolan Trust, Burren College of Art, in Co. Clare Ireland, is pleased to offer a two-week artist’s residency for a selected entrant of the Nolan Art Prize. The residency will provide accommodation and studio space on campus at the college, with full access to facilities (3D & Digital Labs, Darkroom, Print Studio and Library). While in residence, the awardee will present a lecture on their work to the college and broader artistic community.
The Burren region on Ireland’s West coast was Sidney Nolan’s ancestral home and a place that he reconnected with later in life. Nolan’s ‘Irishness’ was an important part of his storytelling and the identity that he crafted for himself. It plays right through his work, most famously in the Ned Kelly paintings. He made a late series of spray-painted works at The Rodd titled The Celtic Image, which draws on early Christian iconography and the Karst landscape.
Entry Fee: Entry cost is £15 for first entry and £10 second and third entries.
Location: United Kingdom
Deadline: 10 DECEMBER 2025, BY 5PM
Website link:
https://www.sidneynolantrust.org/nolan-art-prize
