newy.com.au – Newcastle Art Gallery has reopened entries for the $50,000 Kilgour Prize for the first time in five years, relaunching one of Australia’s major figurative and portrait painting awards as the gallery marks its expansion and the prize’s 20th anniversary.
The national competition, last held in 2021, was paused after the gallery closed at the start of 2022 for its major expansion project. Its return follows a record 476 entries from every state and territory when it was last staged.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the relaunch was a milestone for the prize, which has been administered by the gallery since it was established in 2006 through a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour.
“Newcastle Art Gallery has been proud to administer the Kilgour Prize since it was established in 2006 following a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour,” Ms Morton said.
“Since then, it has become a well-respected and coveted inclusion on the national art prize calendar, attracting an incredibly high calibre of entries from emerging and established artists across the country.
“The prize has been on hold since the Gallery closed at the start of 2022 to undergo our major expansion project.
“We are thrilled that, as part of our reopening year, we are able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this nationally significant art prize.”
Almost 2900 works have been entered in the Kilgour Prize since it began. The winning artist receives $50,000, while a further $5000 is awarded to the work voted most popular by the public.
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the return of the prize would add to Newcastle Art Gallery’s national profile after its reopening as the largest public gallery in NSW outside Sydney.
“The Gallery has been overwhelmingly embraced by our community and visiting art lovers since it reopened as the largest public gallery in NSW outside of Sydney,” Cr Morris said.
“The return of the Kilgour Prize will continue to showcase artistic talent from across Australia while strengthening Newcastle’s standing as a city that values creativity, culture and the arts.”
The prize has a strong list of past winners, including British-born Australian artist Nicholas Harding, who won the inaugural award in 2006 with Beach life (pink zinc and figures), 2006. The work is now part of the Newcastle Art Gallery collection and is on display in the Iconic Loved Unexpected exhibition.
Other winners include Natasha Walsh, who received the 2018 prize during a 12-week period in which she won three major art awards, Sydney-based artist Blak Douglas in 2019, former Newcastle art teacher and Mambo artist Michael Bell in 2020, and Newcastle painter Peter Gardiner in 2016.
Bell said winning the Kilgour Prize was a major moment in his career after previously being selected as a finalist six times.
“A lot of great painters have won this prize in the past, so to actually win the Kilgour Prize in 2020 was an incredible thrill and great honour. A real career highlight for me,” Bell said.
“My winning painting was then acquired by the Newcastle Art Gallery Society and donated to the Newcastle Art Gallery collection.
“Being a national award, the Kilgour Prize gives visitors to the Newcastle Art Gallery a good insight into current approaches to contemporary figurative painting.”
Entries for the 2027 Kilgour Prize are open until 5 October 2026, with finalists to be announced in December. Ms Morton will be joined on the judging panel by independent curator and Warumungu and Luritja woman Kelli Cole and artist Jason Phu.
The winner will be announced at the exhibition opening in April 2027. Further information is available through the Newcastle Art Gallery website.
