Calleen Art Award 2026

The call for entries for the Calleen Art Award 2026 is now open.

The Calleen Art Award is an annual acquisitive painting prize and exhibition. It presents the best of contemporary Australian painting in any style, theme or subject.

The Award was established in 1977 as an acquisitive art prize by Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM to encourage originality, creativity and excellence in the visual arts, and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust.

The Calleen Art Award 2026 is open to artists across Australia and this year’s award prize is $30,000. The winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at Cowra Regional Art Gallery.

Since its inception in 1977 by Cowra Art Patron Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM the Calleen Art Award has celebrated contemporary art practices and fostered originality, creativity and excellence in the visual arts.

The exhibition is a must-see opportunity for collectors, art lovers and those with a special interest in contemporary painting. Visitors can vote for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice, announced at the end of the exhibition. Funded by the Art Gallery Trust, the winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive $1,000.

KEY DATES
Entries Close Sunday, 19 July, 11.59pm AEST
Artists Notified Tuesday, 18 August
Opening Event and Announcement of Winner Saturday, 5 September
Exhibition Dates 6 September to 18 October 2026

AWARDS
Open to Artists Australia-wide
$30,000 Acquisitive Painting Prize
$1,000 People’s Choice Award (Non-acquisitive)

JUDGE AND SELECTION PANEL
Georgia Connelly, Head of Regional Engagement, Access and Learning at The Art Gallery of NSW
Bridget Guthrie, Director, Tamworth Regional Gallery & Museums
John Cheeseman, Partner, Interchange Art Projects.

ENQUIRIES cowraartgallery@cowra.nsw.gov.au OR (02) 6340 2190

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Download the Terms and Conditions and an entry form that can be emailed or posted.
Calleen-Art-Award-2026_Terms-and-Conditions-and-Entry-Form-for-post-or-email.pdf