Winter Art Prize 2026

Enter our first-ever community art prize!

North Sydney Community Centre is thrilled to announce the Winter Art Prize 2026!

This year, we celebrate creativity, connection and the power of art to bring people together. We invite adults (18+) and youth (high school students – years 7–12) to submit their artwork and share their interpretation.

Theme: “Things That Bring Us Together”

We invite artists to explore the heart of community through the lens of creativity. What brings us together? Is it the quiet comfort of a shared pot of tea with Grandma, the laughter of family at a backyard barbecue, cherished celebration rituals, or the familiar beauty of our landscape. 

This year’s theme celebrates the everyday moments and treasured places that unite us, and we invite you to capture that in a painting.

Please make sure to read the Terms & Conditions and Art Eligibility before entering.

Key Dates

• Registrations open: Monday 2 February
• Registrations close: Friday 15 May
• Finalists announced: Friday 29 May via email. Selected works may also be announced on NSCC social media
• Exhibition Dates: Friday 3 July – Saturday 4 July 2025
• Award Night: Friday 3 July

Who Can Register

• Adults (18+)
• Youth (High School Students -Years 7–12)

Prize Money

• Adult Category: $2,300
• Youth Category (Years 7–12): $350

Awards

• Judge’s Encouragement Award: One-on-one portrait session with Ann Cape
• Director’s Award: Voucher to join a course at North Sydney Community Centre
• 2 × $250 Eckersley’s Art & Craft Vouchers
• 1 × $100 Eckersley’s Art & Craft Voucher

Judging Panel

We are excited to announce that this year’s entries will be judged by Ann Cape, a painter, sculptor and art teacher who has been active in the Australian art scene for over 40 years. 

Registration Details

• $35 per registration
• Multiple registration allowed
• Fee ($35) applies to each registration

How to Register

1. Pay $35 per registration
2. Prepare your artwork (you have until Friday 15 May to submit your artwork online)
3. Complete the Winter Art Prize 2026 Submission Form and upload your artwork (the submission form will be sent to you via email once payment is received. You will have until Friday 15 May to submit your artwork online). IMPORTANT – Please check your inbox, spam and junk folders to ensure you receive the Winter Art Prize 2026 Submission Form.

Eligible Artworks

We are accepting a wide range of mediums, including:

• Watercolours
• Acrylics
• Oils
• Prints (for example, lino prints, screen printing, block printing, silk printing)
• Pastels
• Mixed media (for example, collage)

Please note: We are not accepting photographs, AI generated imagery and/or digital art

Acrylics/Oils Specs

• 12 x 12 inch (30.5 x 30.5 cm) (outside edges must be exact)
• Sides must be painted if not framed
• Ready to hang

Watercolours/Prints Specs

• 12 x 12 inch (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
• Sides must be painted if not framed
• Ready to hang
• Framed or behind glass (frame can be any colour)

Framing guidelines

Artworks may be framed, however, frames must be minimal (e.g. a simple box or floating frame) so the overall dimensions remain consistent with the 12 x 12 size requirement. Slim frames are acceptable. Please note that elaborate or oversized frames will not be accepted.

Receive 10% Discount

If you register for the Winter Art Prize 2026 you will receive a 10% discount off full-priced items at Eckersley’s Art & Craft and/or House2Home. The discount applies upon presentation of your Winter Art Prize registration receipt. Valid at Eckersley’s St Leonards store and House2Home in Crows Nest.

Good luck!