Hunter Emerging Art Prize
Terms & Conditions
WHO CAN ENTER
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ELIGIBILITY
Emerging
The term emerging indicates that the artist is not yet formally represented by a major commercial gallery. Artists may have exhibited casually with smaller commercial galleries however are unable to sustain a career based on the sales of their work.
Age
There is no upper age limit, although you do need to be over 16 to enter. Age is not a factor in determining an emerging artist.
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Previous Winners
Overall Prize winners of the Newcastle Emerging Art Prize or Hunter Emerging Art Prize in previous years are ineligible, however, previous Section winners and Highly Commended/Commended winners may re-enter.
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Location
The prize is open to artists living in the following local government areas: Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, MidCoast, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter.
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HEAP 2026 KEY DATES
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Entries close: Midnight Tues 9 June 2026
Finalist announcement: Fri 26th June 2026
Delivery of finalists’ works: 10am – 2pm Wed 8th - Friday 10th July & by 4pm Sunday 12th July
Winners announcement at the exhibition opening: 6pm - 8pm Friday 31st July 2026
Exhibition Duration: Fri 31st July - Sun 30th August 2026
Collection of unsold works: 3pm – 4pm Sun 30th August or 10am - 4pm Wed 2nd - Fri 4th September
CRITERIA FOR WORKS
ALL SECTIONS
• Works must have been completed within twelve months of the closing date of the Hunter Emerging Art Prize 2026 (since 1 Jan 2025)
• The maximum size of all artworks is 120cm x 120cm x120cm, including the frame. Your entry may be a multi-panel work, provided the overall dimensions do not exceed the maximum size limit.
• If you are selected as a finalist, your artwork must be presented in a professional manner and ready for hanging or installation. The work you enter online must be capable of meeting the presentation requirements for finalists’ works outlined below.
•Artists are required to remove and take away all packaging upon delivery of works.
•No wet works will be accepted.
•Work can be for sale during the exhibition - we have a 30% commission on sales.
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SECTION-SPECIFIC CRITERIA
Experimental
Entries using innovative approaches to challenge traditional art methods and materials across multi-disciplinary art forms such as painting, printmaking, photography, digital and sculpture.
Painting
May be painted in any medium (including oil, acrylic, watercolour, gouache, and mixed media).
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Sculpture / 3D
May be created in any sculptural medium (including textiles, paper, ceramics, bronze, plaster, stone, wax, wood, marble, granite).
Works on Paper / Photomedia
May be created in any medium on paper (including drawing, printmaking, stencilling, collage).
Photomedia includes both digital and analogue works.
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Ceramics
Created with clay and kiln-fired
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ADDITIONAL PRIZES
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Youth Prize
Artists under the age of 25 years as at 9 June 2026 are eligible to be considered for this category. If you are eligible, please ensure you tick the check box 'I am under 25 and would like to be considered for the Youth Prize'
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Prize for an artist with a disability
For the purposes of this prize we refer to disability as “physical, psychiatric, intellectual or sensory impairment that, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder the person’s full and effective participation in the community on an equal basis with others.” This definition can be found on the website of the arts and disability advisory body Accessible Arts.
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If you identify as having a disability please ensure you tick the check box 'I identify as an artist with a disability' on your submission form to be considered for this Prize.
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THE JUDGING PROCESS
We appreciate entrants may not be experienced in entering prizes here are some tips:
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Give your work the best chance of being selected by having a clear artists statement and best possible photograph. Ensure the image shows the work itself and no other distractions.
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Your work will be judged in a competitive field. Judges will consider your work in terms of how it holds its own in this field and how accomplished and/or innovative you have been in your use of materials and techniques, together with elements of risk taking and/or pushing the boundaries of practice.
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Work towards resolution in your artwork and present it as professionally as you can. If the work’s integrity and presence depend on a particular installation, specify it.
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Consider your artwork statement and ensure it reflects and enhances the meaning of the artwork.
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HOW IT WORKS
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Finalists works will be exhibited at Newcastle Art Space for the final judging.
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The Judging Panel will choose the Section Winners, Youth Prize Winner, Artist with a Disability Winner and the Major Prize winner.
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The decisions during the judging process are final and no correspondence or appeal will be entered into or considered.
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Finalists will be announced on Newcastle Art Space’s social media channels on Friday 26th June 2026.
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The Section Winners, Youth Prize Winner, Prize for an Artist with a Disability and the Overall Prize winner will be announced at the Hunter Emerging Art Prize Opening on Friday 31st July between 6pm - 8pm.
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IF SELECTED AS A FINALIST
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If you are selected as a finalist, we will notify you by email on 26 June 2026. We will announce all the finalists publicly on that day via our website and social media channels.
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The email you receive will contain information about delivery of your work and promotion of being selected as a finalist, and about sales, the exhibition and collection of unsold work.
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A work selected as a finalist must be made available for display at Newcastle Art Space (NAS) during the period of the Hunter Emerging Art Prize exhibition.
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NAS takes a 30% commission on all sold works
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Finalists authorise and agree to permit the organisers of the Hunter Emerging Art Prize to publish their names, to photograph the work and reproduce images of any work selected for the purpose of promotion. These permissions acknowledge that the artist remains the copyright holder.
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The responsibility for transporting works to and from NAS rests with the artist/s.
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Artworks need to be clearly labelled with artist’s name, title of work, medium, size, price, contact number and email of artist. Please mark ‘top’ of artwork if required.
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NAS will exercise all due care with the works submitted but will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered whatsoever to any artwork while in transit or under its control. Each entrant shall indemnify the artwork and its agents against loss or damage suffered to their artwork whatsoever.
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Each artist is responsible for their own insurance cover for works in transit and while in the gallery.
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HANGING AND PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS
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D-hooks are required on the back of framed and works on canvas
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Unframed work will be hung on the wall using pins needs to be delivered to the gallery between board to protect work – rolled artworks will not be accepted.
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We will liaise with finalists presenting digital works and will work to provide a suitable environment any professional or specific equipment, e.g. data projectors, required.
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The installation of very large or heavy works and works involving complex installations must be carried out by the artist/s personally under supervision of NAS staff.
HOW TO ENTER:
Entries must be submitted online using a computer (not a phone) via the Entry Form.
You can submit a maximum of 2 entries.
These can be entered in the same or different sections.
Each entry needs to be submitted separately, paying a separate entry fee.
The entry fee is non-refundable.
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STEP 1
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ THE TERMS & CONDITIONS (ABOVE) IN FULL BEFORE MAKING YOUR ENTRY.
STEP 2
CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY If you answer YES to all of the following you can enter
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Do you meet this Prize’s criteria for an emerging artist?
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Will you be 16 years of age or older on 9 June 2026?
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Do you live within the geographical boundaries for the prize?
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Have you not been an Overall Prize winner in previous years?
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Was the artwork created after 1st Jan 2025?
STEP 3
SELECT THE SECTION/S YOU WILL ENTER
Check the Prize Categories and our Criteria for Works
STEP 4
PREPARE YOUR ENTRY INFORMATION
• A statement (150 words) about the work – the themes/message conveyed
• If you are entering a digital artwork, please provide a URL (check that it works)
• If required, include notes about display requirements for your work
• Images of your work. We need a full image and a detail image, both saved as jpegs (2-5MB each)
YOU MUST save your files using the required filename format:
Firstname_lastname_titleofwork_full
Firstname_lastname_titleofwork_detail
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STEP 5
ENTER ONLINE BY MIDNIGHT 9 JUNE 2026
Follow the link below to the online application form. Use a computer (phone not recommended) to complete the form:​