Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize

Purpose of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize

The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize was launched in 2002 and is named in honour of the South Australian Museum’s first curator, Frederick George Waterhouse. The prize is an opportunity for artists to investigate the world around them and present their perspectives on natural science. It encourages artists to make a statement about the scientific issues facing our planet and offers a valuable platform for them to contribute to the environmental debate. Over the years the competition has become a much-loved fixture on the arts calendar, allowing artists and audiences to explore natural science through a range of creative outlets.

Prizes

Two main award categories are available, an Open Prize with a $30,000 cash prize and an Emerging Artist Prize with a $10,000 cash prize.

Visitors to the South Australian Museum exhibition can also vote on The People’s Choice Prize, awarded to a finalist artist who has been judged by the people to have communicated the most significant scientific message within the spirit of the competition.

Who can enter?

Artists of any age, nationality and experience who create art relating to the natural world can enter the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize.

Entrants will self-identify for eligibility in the Open or Emerging categories and can submit up to three artworks in their chosen category. Emerging artists are those artists in the early years of their career. For the purposes of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, an emerging artist is defined as an artist who has either never been represented by a dealer or gallery, held a solo exhibition, or held their first solo exhibition less than five years ago.

Cost of entry

The entry fee is AUD$44 (incl GST) for each entry in the Open Prize, and AUD$30 (incl GST) per entry in the Waterhouse Emerging Artists’ Prize. Artists can submit up to three entries in their chosen category.

What work is eligible?

Any form of visual fine art that relates to the natural world is eligible for the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, with the exception of photography. To be eligible, the work must have been produced no earlier than January 2025 and must relate to the natural world and the sciences associated with it, such as biology, geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics. Works relating to natural history are also eligible.

Works must not have any dimension greater than 2m in length and must fit through a standard door unassembled (2m x 0.9m). Works that require complex assembly prior to display will not be considered.

Entries by collaborative artists are accepted on the assumption all collaborators have given permission to enter the work.

Materials used to create works must be suitable for Museum conditions. No living or toxic materials can be used, any liquids must be safely contained.

Why no photography?

While many forms of digital art are eligible for the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, works of art that are photographs are not eligible. We encourage artists to consider entering their photographic work to the South Australian Museum’s Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

What are the judging criteria?

Judges will make their decision on the artistic merit of the work. Judges will also consider the relationship to natural science or natural history represented by the work.

What are the key dates?

Entries in the 2026 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize open on 11 August 2025 and close on 4 December 2025.  Shortlisting will take place in early 2026, and all shortlisted artists will be advised by mid-February 2026.

The exhibition will take place at the South Australian Museum from 11 April to 19 July 2026.

Do I have to allow my work to tour?

Works from the 2026 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize will not be touring.

How do I enter?

Entries to the 2026 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize are available online only and are open between 11 August and 5:00pm ACDT 4 December 2025. Artists may enter up to three works. Artists will need to provide a one page CV outlining their artistic career.

Are works for sale and do you take commission?

All works selected for the exhibition must be available for sale through the South Australian Museum Foundation. A commission of 40% will apply to all works, if an artist is contracted to a gallery, the commission will be split 50-50 (20% to the Museum and 20% to the gallery) should the artwork be sold. The artist will be responsible for paying the gallery’s share.

Do I need to provide an artist’s statement?

Only works selected for exhibition require an artist’s statement. Artists who are selected for exhibition will be asked to provide statement on the relationship between the work and the natural sciences. The statement will be no more than 100 words.

Upon entry artists are invited to provide a brief description of the work.