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The annual City of Rockingham Art Prize (formerly the Art Awards) recognises artistic achievement in a range of categories. Each year Western Australian emerging and professional artists are invited to submit their works for selection, in any two or three-dimensional medium.
Artworks are selected and judged by an independent panel. Following judging, works are exhibited at the Rockingham Arts Centre.
2026 Art Prize
The City of Rockingham Art Prize returns for 2026, with a cash prize pool of $20,000 non-acquisitive.
The exhibition will be on display at the Rockingham Arts Centre from Saturday 13 June to Sunday 5 July 2026.
Entries have now closed. Check back soon for more information.
Finalists
We’re proud to announce our 75 finalists for the 2026 City of Rockingham Art Prize, selected from over 310 entries:
Gary Aitken, Greg Barr, Cole Baxter, beingbaker, Richard Bloomer, Felicity Bodycoat, Helena Boonzaaier, Sherri Brown, Laura Burton, Carolyn Bye, Melissa Cameron, Monica Cann, Jennifer Cochrane, Ab Collard, Shelley Cowper, Di Cubitt, Eileen Cunningham, Nina Dakin, Claire Davenhall, Eleanor Davies, Sheree Dohnt, Megan Evans, Erika Fernandez, Niamh Fraser, Robert Gear, Emma Geary, Jacqueline Gibson, Chris (Boorgaga) Griffiths, Michelle Grimwade, Richard Gunning, Yoshiko Gunning, Philomena Hali, Thomas Heise, Patricia Hines, Cameron Howard, Pablo Hughes, Christopher Hummel, Wesley Jackson, Jasmine Kinder, Joowon Lee, Jane Li, Wendy Line, Ryan Loo, Steven Macdonald, Elisha McGuckin, Craig McKeough, Dave McLaughlin, Pip Milton, MISHFIT (Mish Maudsley), Paris Mitchell, Brett Nannup, Di Parish, Lori Pensini, Dallas Perry, Stella Picciotto Winn, Ross Potter, Emma Powell, Clinton Price, Peta Riley, Charlotte Robinson, Judy Rogers, Possum Rose, Bridget Seaton, Azman Shaw, Mary-Lynne Stratton, Gabby Testaferrata Olivier, Kimmii Tetlow, Nicholas Thompson, Tyler Thomson, Lesley Tutte, Will Upchurch, Norm Wilson, Claire Worts, Jaimee Wright, Harry Young.
Information for artists
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| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Entries Open | Tuesday 11 November 2025 |
| Information Session | Sunday 7 December 2025, 12.30pm - 1.30pm |
| 'How to Write an Artist Statement' Workshop | Sunday 7 December 2025, 2pm - 4pm |
| Entries Close | Thursday 29 January 2026 |
| Notification of Acceptance | Friday 6 March 2026 |
| Artwork Delivery | Sunday 7 June 2026, 2pm - 4pm |
| Judging | Wednesday 10 June 2026 |
| Exhibition Open | Saturday 13 June - Sunday 5 July 2026 |
| Awards Presentation | To be announced |
| Curator's Insight tour | Saturday 20 June 2026, 2pm |
| Artwork Collection | Monday 6 July 2026, 1pm - 3.30pm |
Works were selected by an independent panel from the submitted digital images.
The Selection Panel’s decision for inclusion of entries is final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into. Lobbying the curator, selection panel or City of Rockingham staff will result in instant disqualification and preclude entry in future Awards.
| Category | Selection Criteria | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| First Prize (Open) | $10,000 | Presented to the most outstanding artwork. |
| Small Sculpture Award | $4,000 | Awarded for three dimensional media, defined as having depth as well as height and width, not being flat or framed, including sculpture, ceramics, woodwork, textiles. |
| First Nations Artist Award | $2,000 | Most outstanding work by an artist identifying as First Nations people. |
| Emerging Artist Award | $2,000 | Most outstanding work by an artist in the first seven years of their practice since graduating from tertiary studies or commencing their career as an artist. |
| Local Resident Award | $1,500 | Most outstanding work by an artist residing within the City of Rockingham. |
| People's Choice Award | $500 | Awarded to the artist whose artwork receives the most votes from members of the public. |
Art Prize team
Sandra Murray
The City is pleased to appoint Sandra Murray as the City of Rockingham Art Prize Curator for 2026.
Sandra is a leading independent curator, arts consultant and artist mentor. She has a depth of experience in working with artists, collections, and exhibitions, including directing and curating for art and museum institutions in WA and NSW, and has worked in the public, corporate, not-for-profit, and private sectors. She was the inaugural curator for the University of Western Australia’s Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery in Perth where she managed a collection of over 3,000 artworks of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture.
Sandra is the Artistic Director/Lead Curator for Sculpture West, manages the Bankwest Art Collection, and has project managed and curated over 65 exhibitions. She has a passion for contemporary Australian art and holds a BA Honours in Art History and Theory, and a Master of Philosophy.
Sandra is acknowledged as a passionate and proficient arts expert, an on-the-ground curator engaged in the art world, with a strong rapport with artists and respectful working relationships with arts industry professionals.
Past events
The 2025 City of Rockingham Art Prize took place from Saturday 14 June to Sunday 6 July 2025.
Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
$10,000 First Prize (Open) | Wade Taylor, Carnival |
| $4,000 Small Sculpture Award | Andre Lipscombe, Scintillating painting |
| $2,000 First Nations Artist Award | Cole Baxter, Doyintj-doyintj Nyininy |
| $2,000 Emerging Artist Award | Jozina de Ruiter, View from my studio |
| $1,500 Local Resident Award | Tyler Thomson, Stump |
| $500 People's Choice Award | Jayda Brown, The colour of our skin |
| Highly Commended Artist | Mikaela Castledine, Salt Lick |
The 2024 City of Rockingham Art Prize took place from Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 June 2024.
Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| $10,000 First Prize (Open) | Sam Bloor, Cosmic Horror |
| $4,000 Small Sculpture Award | Adam Hisham Ismail, “Night Swimming 2”, Night Swimming Series’ |
| $2,000 First Nations Artist Award (and one-year Artsource PLUS Membership, valued at $210) | Greg Barr, Pop’s One |
| $2,000 Emerging Artist Award (and one-year Artsource PLUS Membership, vlaued at $210) | Sam Hopkins, Collapse |
| $1,500 Local Artist Award | Jeanette Rein, Intertwined Relationships |
| $500 People's Choice Award | Jessica Mithen, Acceptance |
| Highly Commended | Melissa Clements, Before our Walk Stuart Elliott, West Side Rapunzel Renee Rose, Sun behind the veil |
The 2023 City of Rockingham Art Prize took place from Saturday 6 to Sunday 21 May 2023.
Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| $10,000 First Prize (Open) | Elmari Steyn, Fragmented Arboretum I |
| $4,000 Small Sculpture Award | Bjoern Rainer-Adamson, We are still here? |
| $2,000 Aboriginal Artist Award (and one-year Artsource PLUS Membership) | Taylor Gollan, Discounted Deli |
| $2,000 Emerging Artist Award (and one-year Artsource PLUS Membership) | DoodlesinTransit, The new machine |
| $1,500 Local Artist Award | Michael Doherty, Lake Walyungup, Rockingham |
| $500 People's Choice Award | Jayda Brown, Wardan Boodjar |
The 2021 City of Rockingham Art Awards took place from Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 May 2021.
Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| $5,000 Open Award | Michael Doherty, Night View - Safety Bay Road |
| $4,000 Heritage Award | Anita Phillips, These Things I Did Not Know… |
| $4,000 Aboriginal Award | Maitland Hill, Booladarlung, Trust, Respect, Sharing |
| $2,500 Emerging Award | Lorraine Defleur, The Kiss in Turmoil |
| $1,500 Local Resident Award | Nicole Steenhof, Indelible Mark |
| $1,500 Youth Award | Jacinta Posik, A Father’s Presence |
| $250 People's Choice Award | Sarcha Simpson, Cold and Alone |
Header image: Install view of the 2025 City of Rockingham Art Prize.
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