Kilgour Prize

29 days to go | 2274 views in last 12 months
Applications close
5 October 2026
Announced
9 April 2027
Prize money
AUD $55,000
Location
NSW, Australia
Will you enter this prize?
This is an anonymous survey
I will enter this prize
Undo
18
Kilgour Prize

The KILGOUR PRIZE 2026 is awarding $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art, and a People’s Choice of $5,000 to the painting voted most popular by the general public. Every year the Gallery receives hundreds of applications from artists across every state and territory of Australia. Applications are submitted online using a high quality jpeg of the work.

The name of the artist is not revealed to the judges during the selection process for the finalists for exhibition, or for the winner of the prize - making the Kilgour Prize an equitable prize for artists at all career stages.

Jack Noel Kilgour (1900–1987) was an Australian artist well-known for his academic approach to landscape and portrait painting. In 1987 Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity at Newcastle Art Gallery. As one of Australia’s major art prizes, The Kilgour Prize continues a long history of benefaction to the Gallery.

Prizes:

  • Major Prize - $50,000
  • People's Choice - $5,000

Venue: Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcaste, NSW

Contact: For more details e: artgallery@ncc.nsw.gov.au

Summary
Application dates
6 July 2026 - 5 October 2026
Exhibition dates
10 April 2027 - 1 August 2027
Finalists notified
6 November 2026
Eligibility
National Entries
Prize frequency
Annual
Judges
Lauretta Morton, Director NAG; Killi Cole, Curator; Jason Phu (artist)
Prize genre
Portraiture
Location
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street Newcastle NSW 2300
NSW
Australia
Prizes
AUD $55,000
Fees
There is a $50 entry fee.
Last updated
11 July 2026
Prior Winners
2021: Lori Pensini - Winner ($50,000)
2020: Michael Bell - Winner ($50,000)
2019: Blak Douglas - Winner ($50,000)
2018: Natasha Walsh - Winner ($50,000)
2017: Cameron Stead - Winner ($50,000)
2016: Peter Gardiner - Winner ($50,000)