Prize Details
About the Local Student Art Prize 2026
The Local Student Art Prize 2026 will be held on Friday 27 March to Sunday 17 May 2026 in the Artroom at the Caloundra Regional Gallery. Presented by Friends, Regional Gallery Caloundra and Caloundra Regional Gallery, and initiated and supported by gallery patron, Marie Pigott.
Children aged five and up are encouraged to participate in this exciting opportunity by entering a two-dimensional artwork on paper that celebrates their local region.
A total prize pool of $1500 has been generously donated by Friends, Regional Gallery Caloundra. Art supplies vouchers will be awarded across a range of categories to winning entrants and their schools.
30 finalists will be displayed in the Artroom at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.
Key dates
- Entries open: Tuesday 4 November 2025
- Entries close: Sunday 8 February 2026
- Artworks and completed entry forms are to be delivered from Tuesday 4 November 2025 through to Sunday 18 January 2026 between the hours of 10am–4pm Tuesday to Friday or Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm (excluding Public Holidays) to Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra (adj. Caloundra Library).
- Finalists announced: Friday 20 February 2026
- The winners will be announced on Saturday 16 May 2026 at 11.30am
- Exhibition dates: Friday 27 March to Sunday 17 May 2026
- Return of artworks: Collect Wednesday 20 to Sunday 23 May 2026, between the hours of 10am–4pm, from Caloundra Regional Gallery
How to enter
There is no entry fee. To be considered for selection, entrants must comply with all entry instructions and conditions. Ensure your artwork does not exceed the size requirements.
Bring the completed entry form along with the artwork to Caloundra Regional Gallery from Tuesday 12 November 2024 through to Sunday 16 February 2025 between the hours of 10am–4pm Tuesday to Friday or Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm (excluding public holidays).
Get your entry form here
Maximum one entry per student.
The artwork
- Must be a depiction of something about the Sunshine Coast region/area.
- Must be on paper (NOT board).
- Must be unmounted and unframed.
- Paper must be no smaller than A4 (210 × 297 mm) and no larger than A3 (420 × 297 mm).
- Can be either horizontal or vertical.
- Any art materials may be used (eg. paint, pencil, pastels, collage, etc.) but the artwork must be two-dimensional.
- Must be original and not infringe the copyright, moral rights, or other rights of any third party.
- Must be recent work created in 2025 – 2026.
Eligibility
Local Student Art Prize 2026 is open to school-aged children from within the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council regions that are 18 years and under at time of entry. Eligible schools include: Private schools, state schools, independent schools, home school groups.
Categories
There are three categories:
8 years and under
- Individual winner: $200 art supplies voucher
- School of winner entry: $200 art supplies voucher
- Highly commended: $50 art supplies voucher
9 – 13 years
- Individual: $200 art supplies voucher
- School of winner entry: $200 art supplies voucher
- Highly commended: $50 art supplies voucher
14 – 18 years
- Individual winner: $200 art supplies voucher
- School of winner entry: $200 art supplies voucher
- Highly commended: $50 art supplies voucher
Judge’s Encouragement Award: $150 art supplies voucher