This is the information for the 2026 Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize. We intend running the next Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize on a similar basis in June 2028, our 30th anniversary. Details will be announced on this website, in our newsletter (subscribe on the home page) and on our social media.
The Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize is offered by the Fleurieu Art Foundation and is a non-acquisitive South Australian art prize open to Australian visual artists (aged 18 years of over) who create two or three dimensional artworks. A new Curator's Choice Exhibition was launched in 2026 to be held at the same time as the Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize exhibition to give more artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell.
The Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize judges awarded the Fleurieu Art Prize of AU$20,000 and the Emerging Artists prize of AU$5,000. The Hardys Peoples' Choice Award of AU$2,500 was awarded at the conclusion of the exhibition to the artwork voted as most popular by exhibition attendees. The Curator's Choice prize of $2,000 was chosen by the Curator and Patron from that exhibition.
Artists were invited respond to the theme A Sense of Place by submitting previously un-shown artworks, across multiple platforms and disciplines (excluding AI generated or assisted, or ephemeral work), produced after 1 January 2025.
Entries were open from 16 March to 12 April 2026. See Terms and Conditions in the drop down menu for detailed information.
Finalists for the Fleurieu Art Prize, including Emerging Artist award were chosen by a selection panel comprising of arts industry professionals (see 2026 Judges in the drop down menu). All finalists were invited to exhibit their artwork at the Fleurieu Arthouse in McLaren Vale, South Australia from 5 June – 5 July 2026. The winning artworks were selected from this exhibition.
The Curator's Choice Exhibition was held at the Stump Hill Gallery at the McLaren Vale Visitor Information Centry. Once the Fleurieu Art Prize finalists were selected, the Curator selected 40 artworks from remaining entries, in the style of a 'Salon des Refuses'.
All artworks in both exhibitions were available for sale, with a commission retained by the not for profit Fleurieu Art Foundation to cover costs of future events. You can see the artworks in the Sales section of this website.
The winners and other finalists of the Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize, the Emerging Artist prize and the Curator's Choice prize may be invited to participate in artist talks and media events surrounding the event.
Key Dates for 2026
Entries open: 16 March 2026
Entries close: Midnight Sunday 12 April 2026
Finalists announced: in the week commencing 4 May 2026
Finalists' and Curator's Choice artworks delivered: by courier 25 May - 1 June 2026, or in person 31 May or 1 June.
Exhibition: 5 June - 5 July 2026
Winners announced: 5 June 2026 at 6pm at the Fleurieu Arthouse McLare Vale
ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED