A brush with greatness - City of South Perth’s Emerging Artist Award 2026

Step into the spotlight with the City of South Perth’s Emerging Artist Award, aimed at emerging artists and those at the beginning of their career.

The award, exhibition and arts program offers artists - from secondary school students to seniors - the chance to showcase their talent and make professional connections, while engaging with the wider creative community.

Entries for the award, which saw a record number of over 250 entrants last year, open from 31 July to 24 August.

The awards program features 10 different categories, with a prize pool of over $15,000, and culminates in a 10-day long exhibition open to the public for viewing and artwork sales at South Perth Community Hall.

The winner of each category, selected by an independent judging panel will receive $1000, while the overall winner will take out the Emerging Artist $5000 prize and the chance to exhibit their work at Heritage House in a solo exhibition. The City will also present eight highly commended awards of $200.

This year, the exhibition will be open to the public from Friday 9 October to Saturday 17 October.

Mayor Greg Milner said: “The City of South Perth is proud to host our Emerging Artist Award again this year.

“It has grown into a truly prestigious platform, drawing breathtaking talent not just from our own talented City, but from the furthest corners of our State.

“We take immense pride in developing new talent and giving artists who are picking up a paintbrush for the first time or rediscovering an artistic passion a space to share their vision and be recognised.

“This program serves as a critical springboard, and we are thrilled to witness the incredible creative journeys that begin right here in South Perth."

Previous winners have gone on to make their artistic passion into a profession, with renowned Perth artist and Lecturer in Fine Arts at the University of Western Australia, Andy Quilty, taking out the top prize in 2011. 

Last year the competition was won by Janice Oliver for her work ‘Come Fly with Me’. a moody black and white print exploring loss in the aftermath of the 1968 Meckering earthquake. 

On accepting her award, she paid an emotional tribute to the competition and the opportunity it had provided her.

“Thank you so much to the City of South Perth for believing in emerging artists no matter their age or where they’re from,” she said. 

Entries close: Monday 24 August

The City of South Perth’s Emerging Artist Award, Exhibition and Arts Program runs from Friday 9 October to Sunday 17 October.

For more information, visit our webpage southperth.wa.gov.au/emerging