Artists from across the country are invited to enter one of Australia’s newest and most exciting art prizes, the University of Southern Queensland Biennial Art Award.
Launched in 2024, the award has already established itself as a significant platform for contemporary artists, offering a generous prize pool of $24,000, two acquisitive awards, and a significant exhibition opportunity.
More than being just another art competition, the UniSQ Biennial Art Award was designed to celebrate artistic excellence, create meaningful connections between artists and audiences, and contribute to the cultural life of communities throughout Queensland and beyond.
‘Toowoomba has always been a thriving hub for the creative arts in Queensland, with the university at the centre of it,’ says UniSQ Art Gallery Curator Brodie Taylor. ‘We saw this as an excellent opportunity to cultivate a legacy of support and empowerment of our artists both locally and nationally.’
UniSQ Biennial Art Award – quick links
Founding a new platform for artists
The vision has clearly resonated with artists. In its inaugural year, the UniSQ Biennial Art Award attracted an impressive 645 entries from more than 300 artists. The exhibition of finalists featured 36 outstanding works, spanning a wide range of disciplines, themes and artistic approaches.
‘We had an amazing response from artists in our first year, with entries from every state in the country,’ says Taylor.
The award is open to artists working across a broad spectrum of media and at all stages of their career and creative development, from emerging to established.
‘Artists may enter all forms of 2D and 3D work including paint media, drawings, sculpture, works on paper, photography, ceramics, sculpture and textile,’ explains Taylor.
Entries are assessed by the judging panel according to technical skill, originality and conceptual strength, with the finalists taking part in a major exhibition at the UniSQ Art Gallery in September.
An art award that’s about more than prize money
For artists, the benefits of entering extend well beyond the prize money. Participation offers valuable professional exposure, the opportunity to present works to new audiences, and a personal association with a respected contemporary art program.
UniSQ Biennial Art Award also places a strong emphasis on community engagement, encouraging conversations between artists and audiences through the exhibition and associated events.
This year, the winner of the UniSQ Biennial Art Award will receive $20,000. There’s also a $3000 Emerging Artist Award, and a $1000 Peoples Choice Award.
Importantly, the main prize and emerging artist award are acquisitive, which means those works will become part of the university’s permanent art collection. This ensures lasting recognition for the artists through their inclusion in a significant institutional collection.
The inaugural winner was Sunshine Coast artist Gabrielle Jones for her painting Disordered Dream. Susie Choi, a Sydney-based artist who works across ceramics, sculpture and installation, won the 2024 Emerging Artist Award with Dinkum.
With an entry fee of $40 for up to five works, and initial submissions online, the award is also a highly accessible opportunity for artists at all stages of their careers.
Offering artistic exposure, recognition and potentially a place in UniSQ’s growing collection and legacy, the UniSQ Biennial Art Award is already one to watch on Australia’s arts calendar. For artists looking to share their work with new audiences and be part of a growing national conversation around contemporary art, this is the time to enter.
