Frequently Asked Questions - Whitehorse Art Prize

Who can enter the Whitehorse Art Prize?
Entry is open to artists 18 years and older, who are Australian citizens/permanent residents, who ordinarily reside in Victoria.

Does it cost anything to enter? 
A non-refundable entry fee of $20.00 (Inc GST) AUD must be submitted with your entry.

How do I enter?
Artists must complete the Whitehorse Art Prize online entry form, and; pay a non-refundable entry fee of $20.00 (Inc GST), and; provide a one-page Artist CV in PDF or Word format only. View the Terms and Conditions for full submission requirements. 

Can I submit more than one entry? 
There is a limit of one entry per person.

What type of artwork can I enter? 
The theme of the prize is art inspired by the natural environment, which includes 
landscape-based artworks, and works that in some way reflect or respond to the natural 
world. Contemporary interpretations of this theme are encouraged. 
Only artworks made in the following media are eligible for entry: 

• Painting – defined as a work made by applying paint (pigment in liquid medium) to a 
  stable support like canvas, linen, board, or panel. 
• Works on paper – including drawing, mixed media, watercolour, gouache, and 
  printmaking, produced on paper. 

• Ceramics – works can be in any format including functional ware, sculptural forms, or 
  wall mounted pieces, and must be comprised of at least 70% ceramic material defined 
  as fired clay. 

  Please note, digitally created and produced art, photographic works, and reproduction 
  prints of artworks made in other media are not eligible for entry. 

If I enter the Whitehorse Art Prize, is my work guaranteed to be included in the 
finalists’ exhibition? 
No, the judging panel will review all entered artworks and select the finalists for the 
Whitehorse Art Prize. We anticipate a high number of entries to the Prize, more than we 
can accommodate at the Whitehorse Art Gallery, so expert judges will select the finalist 
exhibition. The judges will assess each of the entered artworks based on artistic merit, 
technical merit, and demonstration of the theme art inspired by the natural 
environment, and these criteria will also be used to determine the prize winners.

What prizes are available and who can win? 

• Main Prize $20,000 (acquisitive): Any artist whose submitted artwork is selected as a 
  finalist is eligible to win the Main Prize. This Prize is awarded to the artwork judged as 
  the best work in the finalist exhibition across the accepted media of painting, works on 
  paper and ceramics.  The winning work will become part of the Whitehorse Art 
  Collection. 
• Local Prize $10,000 (acquisitive): Artists who live, work, or study in the City of 
  Whitehorse are eligible to win the Local Prize, awarded to the artwork judged to be the 
  best work in the finalist exhibition by a local artist across the accepted media of 
  painting, works on paper and ceramics.  The winning work will become part of the 
  Whitehorse Art Collection 
• Lyn A. Baines Ceramic Prize $5,000 (acquisitive): Artists who submit a ceramic 
  artwork are eligible to with the Lyn A Baines Ceramic Prize, awarded to a ceramic 
  artwork judged to be the best in the finalist exhibition. The winning work will become 
  part of the Whitehorse Art Collection. 

• People’s Choice Prize $1,000 (non-acquisitive): Visitors who attend the Whitehorse 
  Art Prize exhibition between the dates 17 April – 1 June 2027 can vote for their favourite 
  artwork in the exhibition. Voting is in-person at the Whitehorse Art Gallery and we ask 
  that visitors only vote once. After the voting period closes at 4pm 1 June, votes will be 
  tallied and the finalist whose artwork receives the most votes will win $1,000. The 
  winner will be announced by Friday 4 June 2027. The People's Choice Prize is non
  acquisitive, which means the artist retains their winning artwork.

  Please note, finalists cannot win in more than one acquisitive prize category in a given 
  year and the judging panel will determine the acquisitive prize winners. 

What happens if I am selected as a winner in the Whitehorse Art Prize? 
The Whitehorse Art Prize is an acquisitive award, this means the winning entries in each 
of the three acquisitive prize categories (Main Prize, Local Prize, Lyn A. Baines Ceramic 
Prize) will become part of the Whitehorse Art Collection and property of Whitehorse City 
Council upon payment of the prize money to the winning artists. As the People’s Choice 
Prize is non-acquisitive, this work will be returned to the artist and the winner will 
receive $1,000 prize money.

What are the size restrictions for submissions? 
Artworks must fall within the following size and weight limits to be eligible for entry: 
• Size: Must not exceed 122 cm in any direction (height, width or depth) 
• Weight: Must not exceed 15 kg. 
• Handling: Must be able to be lifted safely by two people.

Can I submit an artwork that has already been exhibited? 
Yes, you can submit any artwork that meets the eligibility criteria, is your original work 
and has been completed within the years 2024 – 2026.

If I am selected as a finalist, when will I need to make my work available for the 
Whitehorse Art Prize exhibition? 
Finalist artworks must be delivered to the Whitehorse Art Gallery, be available for the 
finalist exhibition and subsequently collected during the dates and times below.  
• Artwork delivery: 22–25 March 2027, between 10am and 5pm. 
• Exhibition dates: 17 April – 12 June 2027. 
• Artwork collection: 17–22 June 2027, between 10am and 5pm (Monday to 
Friday only). 

Please ensure you can accommodate this timeframe before submitting your entry. 

Who is responsible for the freight of my artwork to/from Whitehorse Art Gallery if I 
am selected as a finalist? 
All artwork freight arrangements and costs associated with the Whitehorse Art Prize 
exhibition are the responsibility of the artist.

Can I submit a collaborative work or a work by an artist collective? 
Collaborative works and works by artist collectives are not eligible for the Whitehorse 
Art Prize. Each artwork must be attributed to a single artist.

Can I sell my artwork through the Whitehorse Art Prize, and will any commission be 
taken? 
The Whitehorse Art Gallery don’t display prices, facilitate artwork sales, or take 
commission. However, if someone enquires about purchasing your artwork, we can 
pass along the interested party’s details to you or your gallery to liaise directly.

If you have further questions, please submit them to artgallery@whitehorse.vic.gov.au.