Artbank Prize 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
One finalist will be selected from each State and Territory – 8 finalists in total will exhibit their work at Artbank Sydney from Thursday 3 September – Friday 30 October 2026.
Finalists will be announced Friday 5 June 2026.
Artbank will coordinate collection and cover associated costs of transport for all artworks selected as finalists to Artbank Sydney. Artworks must be available and ready for collection from 26 June 2026.
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Questions about entering the Artbank Prize
When are entries open?
Friday 30 January 2026, 9am.
When are entries due?
Entries close Friday 13 March 2026, at 5pm.
How do I enter?
Entries must be submitted via SmartyGrants online portal by Friday 13 March 2026, 5pm.
You must register with SmartyGrants and then complete each page of the online form and press ‘submit’.
You can start and save an application before submitting your application and will receive an email confirmation once submitted.
Does it cost to enter?
No. The Artbank Prize is free to enter.
Who can enter and is there an age limit?
The prize is open to living artists not yet in the Artbank collection who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
The artist may be living in Australia or overseas if at least one of the above stated criteria are demonstrable; and if overseas provide the last Australian home address/state or territory.
There is no age limit.
Can an artist enter the Artbank Prize more than once or enter multiple artworks?
No. Only one artwork, by one artist can be entered into the Artbank Prize.
Can artists that work collaboratively or artist collectives enter?
Yes. One member of the collaboration or group completes the application form, and they will be the primary contact person for the group. There is a section in the application form to add other artists' names and the group name if applicable.
Can an artist enter a work as an individual and enter a collaborative work?
No. Only one artwork may be entered per person, whether part of a collaboration or not.
How do I value my artwork?
If you are represented by a commercial gallery, or agent, your artwork should reflect the current market value of your artwork.
If you are unrepresented, please price your artwork by either of the following methods: cost-based (materials, expenses and time) or competition-based (average cost of similar artworks by an artist/gallery selling artworks of a similar style).
What if my artwork is valued more than AUD 20,000.00?
The maximum acquisition amount for the Artbank Prize is AUD20,000.00. The price should be exclusive of GST.
Artworks priced over this amount are ineligible.
What should I include in my artwork statement?
Your artwork statement should describe the artwork you are submitting to the Artbank Prize. We suggest describing your artwork and ideas in clear, concise language. You may want to talk about the processes involved in making the artwork, the subject matter and your artistic intention.
This artwork statement is limited to 150 words.
What should I include in my CV?
Your CV can include the following as applicable, however should be limited to 1 page, and does not need to address all the below only as it is relevant:
- Selected solo exhibitions from the last five years
- Selected group exhibitions from the last five years
- Selected awards, grants and/or artist residencies
- Selected published writing, or critical reviews (please provide links if possible)
- Collections - regional, state, national or international
- Relevant education or training
What types of artwork are accepted?
We accept painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, glass, ceramics, textile and video art/ time-based media. Please ensure your artwork meets size and weight restrictions outlined in the entry guidelines. Artworks must be original and completed from 1 January 2025.
Is performance art accepted?
No. Ephemeral artworks cannot enter the Artbank collection. For performance-based artwork to be eligible for the Artbank Prize it must be in a form collectible by Artbank (i.e. video, photography). Please see Artbank Collection Acquisition Policy
What is Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property?
The Australian Government is committed to introducing new stand-alone legislation to protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).
Artbank respects the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to protect their arts and cultural heritage, and asks artists to consider if their work incorporates, is sourced from, or refers to cultural heritage material, or representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and if so, to seek the appropriate consent from the community custodians.
This is acknowledged through the declaration on the last page of the entry form. Artists should be prepared to provide further information on request.
Do you accept multipaneled artwork?
A multipaneled artwork (like a diptych or triptych), or an artwork with multiple parts can be entered, if it is one artwork.
If I have a series of multiple artworks, can I submit them as one work?
No. You cannot enter a series of multiple artworks as one artwork.
Can I enter an artwork that has been exhibited or been in another prize before?
Yes, the artwork needs to be available for collection from 26 June, if selected as a finalist.
Is my artwork already represented in the Artbank collection. How can I find out?
The entire Artbank collection is digitised and can be viewed on our website and you can search the collection here.
Please note that some artworks in the Artbank collection may not always be published on our website for different reasons. If you think you may already have an artwork in the collection and cannot find your work on the website, please email ArtbankPrize@artbank.gov.au
I found my artwork on the Artbank collection website, but it says unavailable underneath the artwork. Is it still in the collection?
Yes, your artwork is still in the collection. Each work is marked either available or unavailable for our clients who search the website looking for works available for lease. If your artwork is marked unavailable it is most likely on loan with one of our clients!
I have submitted an entry and made a mistake. What should I do?
Entries can be saved and revised up until they are submitted. If you realise you have made a mistake after submitting your entry, do not submit another entry. Email ArtbankPrize@artbank.gov.au
Questions about the preselection and being selected as a finalist
How will the preselection work?
Artbank staff will review all applications submitted – to review eligibility, and to select a shortlist that reflects representation from the 8 states and territories.
Artbank will engage three external, independent judges to work with Artbank staff on selecting a finalist from each state and territory resulting in 8 finalists. The artworks of these artists will be transported to Artbank in Sydney and displayed at its premises.
What happens if I am selected as a finalist?
8 finalists’ artworks will be featured in an exhibition at Artbank Sydney
Finalists will be invited to attend Artbank Sydney for a public event to celebrate the Artbank Prize, and to speak about their artwork and about the Artbank Prize as part of a public program. This will also be the event at which the winner is announced.
Can I change/update my artwork once selected as a finalist?
No. Works are selected based on the entry details and cannot be changed.
Do I need to frame my artwork if selected?
No. Artwork must be packaged appropriately to be transported safely.
Does it cost to transport my work if selected as a finalist?
Artbank will cover all costs associated with the collection, transport and installation of all finalists’ artwork. Artbank will also return all finalists’ artwork not acquired in a reasonable time at the close of the exhibition and will be coordinated directly with the artist.
Do I need to insure my work?
Artbank will insure the finalists’ artwork in-situ during the exhibition at Artbank Sydney and will use qualified art handlers and transport agents during transport and installation. Artbank will not insure artworks in transit.
Will my artwork be photographed or promoted?
By entering, you grant permission for your artwork to be photographed and used for promotional purposes related to the Artbank Prize and exhibition if selected as a finalist.
If your artwork is selected as the winner and acquired by Artbank, you will enter into an acquisition agreement with Artbank which grants Artbank a non-exclusive licence to use images of your artwork for a number of purposes.
How is the winner chosen?
Artbank staff joined by a panel of industry professionals will judge entries based on artistic merit, originality, and relevance. All decisions are final. The winner of the Artbank Prize will be selected by three external judges and Artbank staff.
What happens if I win?
The winning artwork will be acquired by Artbank.
What does “acquisitive” mean?
An acquisitive prize means the winning artwork becomes part of the Artbank collection. Acquisition into the Artbank collection is the prize. The winning artwork will be acquired for the price listed in the application up to the value of AUD 20,000.00.
What happens to my artwork if I’m selected as a finalist, but I am not the winner?
By entering the Artbank Prize you agree that if your artwork is selected as a finalist for your state or territory it will be displayed in the Artbank Prize exhibition and that Artbank will retain the right to acquire the artwork, even if it is not named the winner.
Should your artwork be selected for the finalists’ exhibition of the Artbank Prize and Artbank determine not to acquire it into the Artbank collection, you will have the right to sell the artwork to a third party who will be able to take possession of the artwork after the exhibition has closed (the third party will be responsible for freight costs to their premises), or the artwork will be returned to the artist at Artbank’s expense.
Who do I contact for more information?
Email ArtbankPrize@artbank.gov.au or call 1800 251 651.
Full entry Guidelines are available on the Artbank website: Artbank Prize 2026 | artbank
