Entries open today in the $45,000 2023 National Capital Art Prize

Now in its third year, entries open today (01 March 2023) in the annual National Capital Art Prize. Artists around Australia are invited to take part, with $45,000 prize money up for grabs across three categories, including: Open Prize, First Nations Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and the Sustainability Prize.

To encourage all skill levels to enter, each category has a $15,000 cash prize. A two-tiered adjudication process will see the best of the best selected as finalists for a further round of judging to decide the winners. Finalist works will be displayed online and at a Pubic Exhibition in Canberra in September.

Since launching, over 2,500 entries have been received, with every State and Territory represented. Australian’s also have an opportunity to be part of the Prize by voting for their favourite finalist artwork in the People’s Choice Award which has a $2,500 cash price.  Last year the online votes in this popular competition exceeding 50,000.

“The level of support and interest we have received in the last two years reflects the need Australia has for a forum where artworks of any type can be viewed, studied, critiqued and sold – all through one competition,” Founder, Robert Stephens said.

The Open and First Nations prize categories must be a painting, of any subject, that can be framed and hung on the wall. The Sustainability category is open to all mediums including sculpture and photography.

The Sustainability Prize category is based on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which is a plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships. This was the most popular category in 2022, with some fascinating and thought-provoking works submitted.

Founder of the Prize, Robert Stephens, explained, “We created this category last year, not only because artists want to enter work beyond the ‘painting’ medium, but also because there is nothing more important than sustainability.  It’s about our children and our grandchildren, and the world we will leave them.  We invite artists, wherever they are in Australia, to share with us their journey of embracing the beauty of the earth.”

2023 Important Dates
Online entries open: 1 March, 6am AEST
Entries close: 30 June, 7pm AEST
Online voting for People’s Choice Award opens: 20 July
Award Night and Public Exhibition Opens: Week of 11 September

Entrants have a unique opportunity for exposure with all finalists’ work put on public display and made available for sale.

Entries for 2023 open on 1 March and will close on 30 June.