Interior of the Rockingham Arts Centre with artworks on display.

About the Art Prize 

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 City of Rockingham Art Prize

The City of Rockingham Art Prize returns for 2026, with a cash prize pool of $20,000 non-acquisitive. 

The City of Rockingham Art Prize 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 will be on exhibition at the Rockingham Arts Centre from Saturday 13 June to Sunday 5 July 2026.  

Entries are now open and will close 4pm, Thursday 29 January 2026.

Enter online

How to Enter

Terms and Conditions

Please read the Terms and Conditions and the Information and FAQ Sheet prior to submitting your entry.

Please note: The accepted dimensions for 2D artworks have been updated to 102 cm height x 102 cm width x 10 cm depth.

 

Art Prize 2026 - Information and FAQ Sheet

View the Information and FAQ Sheet below for the entry checklist, answers to common queries and tips from the curator for applying.

Please note: The accepted dimensions for 2D artworks have been updated to 102 cm height x 102 cm width x 10 cm depth.

Entry Form

Entries are now open and will close at 4pm on Thursday 29 January 2026.

Enter online

Key dates
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MilestoneDate
Entries OpenTuesday 11 November 2025
Information SessionSunday 7 December 2025, 12.30pm - 1.30pm
'How to Write an Artist Statement' WorkshopSunday 7 December 2025, 2pm - 4pm
Entries CloseThursday 29 January 2026
Notification of AcceptanceFriday 6 March 2026
Artwork Delivery

Sunday 7 June 2026, 2pm - 4pm
Rockingham Arts Centre
11 Kent Street, Rockingham

JudgingWednesday 10 June 2026
Exhibition Open

Saturday 13 June - Sunday 5 July 2026
Rockingham Arts Centre
11 Kent Street, Rockingham
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 4pm

Awards PresentationTo be announced
Curator's Insight tourSaturday 20 June 2026, 2pm
Artwork Collection

Monday 6 July 2026, 1pm - 3.30pm
Rockingham Arts Centre
11 Kent Street, Rockingham

Selection of finalists

Works will be 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.

Prize Categories
CategorySelection CriteriaSelection Criteria
First Prize (Open)$10,000Presented to the most outstanding artwork.
Small Sculpture Award$4,000Awarded 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$2,000Most outstanding work by an artist identifying as First Nations people.
Emerging Artist Award$2,000Most 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$1,500Most outstanding work by an artist residing within the City of Rockingham.
People's Choice Award$500Awarded to the artist whose artwork receives the most votes from members of the public.

 

Information for Artists

Information Session

Date: Sunday 7 December 2025  
Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Location: Gary Holland Community Centre
Cost: Free
Registrations close: Wednesday 3 December 2025

Curator Sandra Murray will be holding an Information Session detailing what you need to prepare to enter the 2026 City of Rockingham Art Prize, including what to consider when pricing your artwork.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session. Registration is essential.
Sandra Murray is a leading independent curator, arts consultant and artist mentor with a depth of experience in working with artists, collections, and exhibitions, including directing and curating for art institutions and art prizes. 

Register now

'How to Write an Artist Statement' Workshop with James Walker

Date: Sunday 7 December 2025 Portrait of James Walker
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: Gary Holland Community Centre
Cost: $10 per person
Registrations close: Wednesday 3 December 2025

Understand the purpose of an artist statement and how to write one effectively, including the differences between an artist statement and a biography.
 
James Walker, Artist – Curator – Advisor – Educator, will share some strategies to help you discuss your work to communicate with an audience, and to assist when entering exhibitions and prizes. In conjunction with the 2026 City of Rockingham Art Prize. 

To register, please call the Arts Centre at 9527 0734 between 8am - 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday or email artscentre@rockingham.wa.gov.au

'How to Photograph Your Artwork' Resources

Finding it difficult to get the perfect shot of your artwork for your entry in the City of Rockingham Art Prize?

Check out the video and information sheet below from professional photographer and artist Miles Noel, who shares tips and tricks on taking quality photographs of your work for selection.

Video

How to Photograph Your Artwork

Learn how to photograph your artwork with Miles Noel.

Art Prize team

  • Sandra Murray.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. 

  • Following the close of entries, the independent Selection Panel will meet to select finalists from the submitted artworks. Check back later for the announcement of the selection panellists.

  • The independent judges will select the winning artworks for each prize category. Check back later for the announcement of the judges.

Sponsors

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner for upcoming Art Prizes, please contact the City's Community Development Officer – Art Events and Programs at customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au.

Past events

2025 Art Prize

The 2025 City of Rockingham Art Prize took place from Saturday 14 June to Sunday 6 July 2025.

Winners

CategoryWinner

$10,000 First Prize (Open)

Wade Taylor, Carnival
$4,000 Small Sculpture AwardAndre Lipscombe, Scintillating painting
$2,000 First Nations Artist AwardCole Baxter, Doyintj-doyintj Nyininy
$2,000 Emerging Artist AwardJozina de Ruiter, View from my studio
$1,500 Local Resident AwardTyler Thomson, Stump
$500 People's Choice AwardJayda Brown, The colour of our skin
Highly Commended ArtistMikaela Castledine, Salt Lick
  • Winners of the 2025 City of Rockingham Art Prize
  • First Prize Winner - Wade Taylor, 'Carnival'
  • Small Sculpture Award Winner - Andre Lipscombe, 'Scintillating painting'
  • Emerging Artist Award Winner - Jozina de Ruiter, 'View from my studio'
  • Local Resident Award Winner - Tyler Thomson, 'Stump'
  • Highly Commended - Mikaela Castledine, 'Salt Lick'
  • People's Choice - Jayda Brown, 'The Colour of Our Skin'
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2024 Art Prize

The 2024 City of Rockingham Art Prize took place from Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 June 2024.

Winners

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CategoryWinner
$10,000 First Prize (Open)Sam Bloor, Cosmic Horror
$4,000 Small Sculpture AwardAdam 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 AwardJeanette Rein, Intertwined Relationships
$500 People's Choice AwardJessica Mithen, Acceptance
Highly CommendedMelissa Clements, Before our Walk
Stuart Elliott, West Side Rapunzel
Renee Rose, Sun behind the veil

 

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2023 Art Prize

Scroll sidewaysThe 2023 City of Rockingham Art Prize took place from Saturday 6 to Sunday 21 May 2023.

Winners

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CategoryWinner
$10,000 First Prize (Open)Elmari Steyn, Fragmented Arboretum I
$4,000 Small Sculpture AwardBjoern 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 AwardMichael Doherty, Lake Walyungup, Rockingham
$500 People's Choice AwardJayda Brown, Wardan Boodjar

 

2021 Art Awards

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The 2021 City of Rockingham Art Awards took place from Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 May 2021.

Winners

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CategoryWinner
$5,000 Open AwardMichael Doherty, Night View - Safety Bay Road
$4,000 Heritage AwardAnita Phillips, These Things I Did Not Know…
$4,000 Aboriginal AwardMaitland Hill, Booladarlung, Trust, Respect, Sharing
$2,500 Emerging AwardLorraine Defleur, The Kiss in Turmoil
$1,500 Local Resident AwardNicole Steenhof, Indelible Mark
$1,500 Youth AwardJacinta Posik, A Father’s Presence
$250 People's Choice AwardSarcha Simpson, Cold and Alone

 

Header image: Install view of the 2024 City of Rockingham Art Prize

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