Geelong Contemporary Art Prize

7 November 2026 to 14 February 2027

The 2026 Geelong Contemporary Art Prize continues a long tradition of acquisitive award exhibitions presented by the Gallery, through which the permanent collection has grown substantially. The first painting prize—the Geelong Centenary Art Competition—was held in 1938, and in the more than 80 years since, the Gallery has awarded acquisitive prizes variously for paintings, watercolours and prints, generously sponsored by individuals, philanthropic and corporate supporters committed to contemporary art.

Entries open: Tuesday 14 July 2026, 10.00am
Entries close: Friday 14 August 2026, 5.00pm
Shortlist announced: Monday 28 September 2026
Works delivered to Geelong Gallery: Tuesday 23 July to Friday 26 July 2024
Official opening and announcement: Friday 6 November 2026, 6.00pm (invitation only)
Exhibition dates: Saturday 7 November 2026 to Sunday 14 February 2027

1. What qualifies as a “painting” for the purposes of the prize? 
The Geelong Contemporary Art Prize is open to paintings only.

For the purposes of the prize, a painting is defined as a two-dimensional artwork in which paint is the primary medium, applied to a stable support such as canvas, linen, board, or panel.

The following would not be eligible:
• Works where paint is not the primary medium (e.g. drawing, photography, printmaking, digital prints).
• Textile or fibre works, including embroidery or weaving.
• Collage or mixed media works where paint is not the dominant material.
• Sculptural or heavily dimensional works that extend significantly from the wall.
• Video, installation, or digital works.

If you are unsure whether your work qualifies as a painting, please contact the Gallery prior to submitting your entry.

2. Can works include mixed media? 
Works may include mixed media elements, provided that paint remains the primary medium and the work is fundamentally a painting.

Works that function primarily as collage, textile, or sculptural objects will not be eligible.

3. Why is there a size restriction? 
The size restriction relates to the capacity of Geelong Gallery’s onsite painting storage.

If the winning work is acquired for the Collection, it must be stored within the Gallery’s existing painting racks. The size limit ensures that any acquired work can be safely accommodated within this system.

In some cases, works may be stored sideways within the racks, depending on the support and structural stability of the artwork. For example:

Stretched canvas, board, or rigid panel may be able to be stored sideways.
Paper, loose canvas, or delicate supports cannot be stored this way.

For this reason, the size limit remains a necessary condition of entry.

4. Can late entries be accepted? 
Unfortunately, late entries cannot be accepted.

The closing date ensures fairness for all applicants and allows the Gallery sufficient time to manage the judging process. For the integrity of the prize, no exceptions can be made once entries have closed.

We strongly recommend submitting your entry well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues.

1. The 2026 Geelong Contemporary Art Prize (the prize) carries an award of $30,000. It is an acquisitive prize for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian painting, open to artists living and working in Australia, conducted by Geelong Gallery Ltd. (the Gallery) and sponsored by the Dimmick Foundation. Each entrant may submit up to two works (per artist).

2. Using the online entry form on the Gallery website, entrants must submit a completed entry form including payment of $45.00 (incl. GST) per entry and attach a digital image of each painting to be eligible for entry in the prize. Upon lodgement, acknowledgement of entry and receipt of payment will be sent to entrants via an automated email.

3. Upload digital image—one image per work will be accepted. Digital image to be supplied as JPEG file, 300dpi. Images should be saved with the following details as the file name: artist’s surname_artist’s firstname_title.jpeg.

Entrants are advised to submit high-quality images as those supplied at time of entry will be used by the Gallery for judging, publication and promotion (should the work be selected for exhibition). Only images uploaded through the Geelong Gallery online entry form will be accepted.

4. An entry must be an original work of the entrant and must have been executed in the two years prior to Friday 14 August 2026 (the closing date).

5. An entry must be:

(a) a painting of dimensions not exceeding (h) 183.0 cm x (w) 244.0 cm (including frame). Multiple panels may be accepted where these constitute a single entry and do not exceed the specified dimensions in total;

(b) in the possession of the artist or dealer/agent and available for acquisition by the Gallery.

A correctly completed entry form accepting these conditions, payment and attached images must be lodged on the Gallery’s website by the closing date: Friday 14 August 2026 (5.00pm). Entries lodged after the closing date will not be processed.

Please note: early applications are strongly encouraged as limited technical support (should it be required) will be available from the Gallery nearing the closing date.

6. Payment may be made by supplying credit card details and authorising payment on the online entry form. The entry fee is non-refundable.

7. The Gallery shall appoint the judging panel that will, in the first instance, view all entries (digital images) that comply with the conditions of entry and select a limited number of works for inclusion in the exhibition (the selected painting). The judging panel reserves the right to exhibit, or not exhibit, any work entered.

8. Each entrant whose painting is selected for inclusion in the exhibition will be notified by email and will be required to deliver the selected painting to the Gallery from Tuesday 20 October to Friday 23 October 2026. It is the responsibility of the entrant or dealer/agent to arrange all aspects relating to the delivery of the work (whether personally or by an art courier). All associated costs are the responsibility of the entrant or dealer/agent. Please note that substitutes for works first entered by the closing date will not be accepted. Unsuccessful entrants will be notified by email.

9.    The selected painting must be:

(a) available for display throughout the duration of the exhibition;

(b) professionally presented and ready for installation. It should be suitably prepared for hanging and D-rings must be attached to the back of the frame (or stretchers if unframed) on the left and right vertical edges to enable safe hanging from two points. Wires must not be attached. If, for any reason, the hanging system is unsuitable, under the conditions of entry, the entrant gives permission to the Gallery to attach a hanging system (D-rings) to the selected painting (or modify existing) for the duration of the exhibition;

(c) securely packaged to ensure safe transport to and from the Gallery. The packaging must be clearly labelled (with the entrant’s name, title and date of the painting) and suitable for the Gallery to re-use for the return of the selected painting.

The Gallery reserves the right to exclude works that do not meet the required standard for display.