Eligibility and entry requirements

The Wollongong Art Prize (Acquisitive) is a national prize, open to all Australian artists. Entries are limited to one work per entrant, must be the original work of the entrant, and must have been completed within the past 18 months (after January 31, 2024). Explore the full Terms and Conditions below, or jump to our Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: Wollongong Art Gallery (WAG) reserves the right to reject any artwork that does not meet the stated conditions and specifications. Entry fees will not be refunded in such cases.

Terms and Conditions

1. Wollongong Art Prize (Acquisitive) is a national prize, open to all Australian artists.
2. Each entrant may submit only one original work, completed within the past 18 months (after January 31, 2024).
3. The prize invites submissions from artists working across all mediums including ceramic, collage, drawing, painting, photography, print, sculpture, textile, video and watercolour.
4. 2D artworks must not exceed 250cm (H) x 250cm (W) in overall size, including works with multiple parts or panels. 3D artworks must not exceed 200cm (H) x 200cm (W) x 200cm (D) in overall size. Video works must not exceed 10 mins in duration and may be displayed on a showreel loop with other works.
5. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights protect Indigenous peoples' traditional arts, culture, and heritage. These rights include:
   • Protection of traditional knowledge and sacred materials,
   • Respect for traditional laws and customs,
   • Proper attribution to the relevant Indigenous community,
   • Prevention of offensive or misleading use,
   • Control over recording and sharing of cultural expression.

   Artists using ICIP material must

   • Obtain informed consent from community custodians,
   • Provide evidence of consent if requested by the Gallery,
   • Inform the Gallery of any ICIP-related requirements affecting attribution, display, or reproduction.

6. Entries through the Wollongong Art Prize Award Force platform or in person at the Gallery Front Desk.

7. A curatorial committee selects entries for display as finalists in the exhibition.

8. A non-refundable entry fee of $50.00 + GST is paid on entering the Prize. A merchant fee will be applied to entries paid by Visa and MasterCard. These fees will be added to your total and outlined in the payment summary.

9. The judge’s decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

10. Name, address, phone number of entrant, title of the work and price of work must be clearly marked on the back of the work.

11. A commission of 20% will be deducted from all sales.

12. The Top Gong for the Gong – $25,000: acquisitive prize-winning work will be acquired by Wollongong Art Gallery.

13. Local Artist Award – $5,000: Proudly supported by the Friends of Wollongong Art Gallery. To be eligible for the Local Artist Award, entrants must indicate their local status on the entry form. Local Artist is defined as a resident within one of the following Local Government Areas:
    • Wollongong City Council
    • Kiama Municipal Council
    • Shellharbour Council
    • Wingecarribee Shire Council
14. The People’s Choice Award – $2,000: This award will be determined by public vote via the online platform. Each voter must register and may cast only one vote. Voting will be open for the duration of the exhibition: From Friday, 5 December at 6 pm Until Sunday, 1 March at 4 pm
15. Staff and Councillors directly employed by WAG or Wollongong City Council (permanent, casual) and their family members, may enter the Wollongong Art Prize and be selected to be hung in the exhibition, however their entry is not eligible to be considered to win the prize. Entry or prize eligibility is not restricted for WAG volunteers or workers who are sub-contracted.
16. Successful finalists must deliver their work to WAG between 11 – 23 November 2025 at the following times:
    • Tuesday 11 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Wednesday 12 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Thursday 13 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Friday 14 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Saturday 15 November: 12pm – 4pm
    • Sunday 16 November: 12pm – 4pm
    • Tuesday 18 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Wednesday 19 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Thursday 20 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Friday 21 November: 10am – 5pm
    • Saturday 22 November: 12pm – 4pm
    • Sunday 23 November: 12pm – 4pm

    Deliveries will not be accepted on Mondays.

17. 2D finalists must deliver their work suitably framed and ready to hang with D hooks attached. 3D works and pinned works on paper are also accepted. Film works must be supplied as single channel MP4 files through the Wollongong Art Prize Award Force platform by 16 November to allow for file preparation time, as they will be presented on a showreel loop.
18. WAG reserves the right to withdraw any artwork from finalist selection or reject any work upon delivery—without refund of the entry fee—if it is deemed to:
    • present a health hazard or physical risk to WAG staff or the public,
    • pose a threat to the venue’s strict physical or environmental conditions,
    • breach Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) guidelines,
    • be unfit for display, including works that are wet, incomplete, structurally unstable, or damaged,
    • be impractical to install due to factors such as excessive weight, size, fragility, limited mobility, or unsuitable materials, especially where available equipment or building constraints prevent safe installation.
19. WAG does not provide storage for artwork packaging during the exhibition period. All packaging materials must be removed upon delivery, as they will not be retained by WAG.
20. Finalist artworks must be received at WAG by 4pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025. Works delivered after this deadline will not be eligible for inclusion in the finalist exhibition, and entry fees will be forfeited.
21. No entries may be removed during the exhibition.
22. Insurance is the full responsibility of the entrant. WAG will exercise all care but will accept no liability or responsibility for loss or damage of works.
23. Entrants shall allow their work to be reproduced for publicity purposes and waive any copyright fee in this instance.
24. The names of all exhibition finalists will be published both online and in print.
25. All works to be collected from 3 March – 13 March 2026.
26. Delivery and collection of works will be the full responsibility of the entrant. Works not collected by the date specified will be disposed of at the discretion of WAG.

Frequently asked questions

General Eligibility

Artwork specifications

Entry process

Awards and prizes

Delivery and exhibition