Muswellbrook Art Prize
Since 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize has grown and evolved and is today one of the richest prizes for painting in regional Australia. Finalists for the Muswellbrook Art Prize vie for a total of $70,000 prize money across three prize categories: Painting ($50,000 acquisitive), Works on Paper ($10,000 acquisitive), and Ceramics ($10,000 acquisitive).
Astute adjudication of the Prize over the years has yielded an excellent collection of modern and contemporary Australian paintings, works on paper and ceramics from the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, with the winning acquisitive works forming the nucleus of what is now known as the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. Previous winners of the Muswellbrook Art Prize include such key figures as David Aspden, Sydney Ball, Richard Larter and Fred Williams. The Upper Hunter Region is also well represented with a number of local artists being successful in winning the Prize including Peter Atkins, Dale Frank, Lyn Nash and Hanna Kay.
Along with Muswellbrook Shire Council, who since 1958 has acted as sponsor and administrator of the Muswellbrook Art Prize, Bengalla Mining Company has generously sponsored the Prize for over 30 years, their commitment ensuring the development of the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.
Key Dates
- Entries Open – 3 November 2025
- Entries Close – midnight 2 February 2026
- Finalists Announced – 13 February 2026 | 2025 Gallery of Finalists
- Exhibition Launch Event and Announcement of Winners – 4pm 21 March 2026
- Exhibition Dates – 19 March – 23 May 2026
Margaret Loy Pula, Anatye – Bush Potato 2012, acrylic on Belgian linen, 149 x 152cm, Winner Muswellbrook Art Prize 2013, Painting, Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.
Viola Bromley Art Prize
Viola Bromley was part of a small group invited to arrange the Festival of the Valley Art Prize in 1958 – the forerunner to the Muswellbrook Art Prize. Bromley also played a significant role in the construction of an art gallery at the Muswellbrook Town Hall site in 1976, and in gaining regional gallery status for the newly built Muswellbrook Municipal Art Gallery.
The Viola Bromley Art Prize is a celebration of local art across the disciplines of painting, works on paper, sculpture and photography. Open to artists living in the Dungog, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter Shires, the Prize reflects the depth and diversity of our region’s talent. Entries from artists of all backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged — including First Nations artists, culturally and linguistically diverse artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, artists with disability, and emerging artists.
A $500 prize will be awarded to the winner of each section, with one work selected as the Overall Acquisitive Winner, receiving a $2,000 prize and joining the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection alongside key regional artists such as Max Watters, James Clifford, and Viola Bromley herself.
Key Dates
- Entries Open – 4 August 2025
- Entries Close – 6 October 2025
- Delivery of Artworks – 5 August – 13 October 2025
- Exhibition Launch Event and Announcement of Winners – 25 Oct 2025
- Exhibition Dates – 23 October 2025 – 10 January 2026
Viola Bromley, ‘Still Life with Lilies’ 1961, oil on canvas on plywood, 50 x 65 x cm, Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Winner, Muswellbrook Art Prize 1961, Local Section.
Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize
The Australian Photographic Society’s Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize is a national $30,000 acquisitive prize that seeks to find Australia’s best conceptual photographic works. Finalists of the prize are exhibited annually at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre with the prize-winning work joining the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, and a collection of contemporary photographic works acquired through the Muswellbrook Photographic Award (1987 – 2014). Means of work presentation are unrestricted, inviting photographers to illustrate the intent of their works through a myriad of mediums.
Key Dates
- Entries Open – 11 March 2025
- Entries Close – midnight 14 June 2025
- Finalists Announced – 27 June 2025
- Exhibition Launch Event and Announcement of Winners – 23 August 2025
- Exhibition Dates – 14 August – 11 October 2025
Sammy Hawker, Mount Gulaga 2021, 4×5 photographic negative processed with Kodak XTOL and ocean water collected from site, pigment ink printed on archival Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm, 137.5 x 110cm, Winner Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize 2022, Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.
Young Archie Muswellbrook Competition
Budding artists aged 5 to 18 are invited to submit a portrait for the Young Archie Muswellbrook competition, as part of our family-focused activities for the Archibald Prize 2025 regional tour, arriving in Muswellbrook on 23 January 2026.
Young artists are encouraged to create a portrait of a person who is special to them – someone who they know and plays a significant role in their life.
This is a celebration of young creativity and a chance to be part of the Archibald Prize.
Key Details
- Entries open 13 October and close 12 December 2025
- Four age categories: 5–8 years, 9–12 years, 13–15 years and 16–18 years
- A selection of finalists will be chosen from submissions and displayed in the gallery
- Prizes: One winner will be awarded in each age category, receiving a $50 gift card and an art pack
- Winners announced: at the Archibald Prize 2025 exhibition launch, 4pm, Saturday 24 January 2026
Young Archie 2024 finalist, 9–12 years, Joshua Kim, age 10, Grandfather Peter of magic hands.
