The City of Joondalup is seeking expressions of interest from artists for the 2026 edition of the Invitation Art Prize, one of Western Australia’s most respected visual arts awards.
From Wednesday 5 November-Tuesday 2 December 2025, professional artists across WA are invited to submit their entries for the chance to be part of the celebrated $25,000 acquisitive award. The winning artwork will become part of the City of Joondalup Art Collection, contributing to its ongoing story and connection with our community.
Invited artists will receive an artist fee to create a new body of work for exhibition at the Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery in October 2026. Submissions will be reviewed based on the merit of each artist’s practice and their contribution to the ongoing development of the City’s Art Collection. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of January 2026.
An independent panel will review submissions, including:
- Mayma Awaida: A first-generation Lebanese arts manager and artist based in Perth (Boorloo) and interested in community-engaged creative practice and cross-cultural collaboration.
- Myles Russell-Cook: Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, born and raised in Melbourne (Naarm) with maternal Aboriginal ancestry from Western Victoria.
- Mark Stewart: Senior Curator and Manager of Murdoch University Art Collection, based in Perth (Boorloo).
The Invitation Art Prize celebrates the state’s visual arts community and offers a distinctive snapshot into contemporary art from this region.
If you’re a professional artist based in WA, we encourage you to apply and be part of this long-standing celebration of local creativity. Read on for more information.
Header image credit: City of Joondalup Invitation Art Prize 2025. Sam Bloor, Chance Encounter. Installation view: Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery. Photo by Aaron Claringbold. Courtesy of the artist.
Information for artists
When are entries open?
Entries open on Wednesday 5 November 2025, and close on Tuesday 2 December 2025, at midday (AWST) or upon receipt of 150 entries.
Who is eligible to enter?
Artists must be a resident of Western Australia for 12 months prior to Wednesday 5 December 2025.
Artists must have professional standing as an artist and meet at least three of the following criteria:
- Have tertiary qualifications in visual arts;
- Have work represented by major public collections;
- Earn an income from arts-related activities;
- Have significant and peer-recognised expertise and ability;
- Be represented by a reputable gallery;
- Have a current practice, and has exhibited regularly and recently; or
- Have recently been the recipient of a recognised art award, prize, commission or grant.
Employees of the City of Joondalup are not eligible to enter.
Does it cost a fee to enter?
No, it is free to submit an entry.
How do I enter?
Hard copy forms are not accepted, only online entries.
The entry requests the following information:
- Contact information;
- Artist Statement (maximum 250 words) outlining the artist’s practice;
- Artist Biography (maximum 250 words) outlining the artist’s career;
- Artist Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum one page and no bigger than 2MB);
- Up to 5 (five) digital images (maximum 5MB each) of previous artworks. Each image file must be titled with the Artist’s name and title of the work in the following format: “Lastname_ Firstname_Artworktitle”;
- Artwork information relating to the 5 (five) images (title, medium, dimensions, and year created);
- If applicable, a URL link for up to 5 (five) minutes of support material for video, sound or other digital content. URL passwords must be supplied. Links to an artist homepage will not be viewed unless it specifically shows the support material; and
- 2 (two) headshots of the artist (maximum 2 MB each) to be used for marketing purposes. The files must be submitted in full colour and in both portrait and landscape formats.
Does the City provide support for access requirements?
Yes, please contact us to discuss how we can assist by calling 9400 4924 or emailing visualarts@joondalup.wa.gov.au
Can I save my entry?
Yes, you can complete your entry in multiple stages and save as you go. The website will provide a link via email to return to your entry. As a backup, it is recommended to work in a word document and upload the final details.
I’m having entry issues?
Please note delays may occur on the closing day of the entry period (Wednesday 3 December 2025) if the website is receiving a large influx of entries. It is recommended to prepare and submit your entry in advance of the closing date. Assistance for technical issues is not guaranteed on the closing day of the entry period.
Artists accept responsibility for completing the entry on time and late entries will not be accepted.
The City reserves the right to close the entry period early if it receives 150 entries.
How are artists selected?
Artist entries are reviewed by an external arts industry panel.
For the 2026 Invitation Art Prize submissions, the panel will be:
- Mayma Awaida: A first-generation Lebanese arts manager and artist based in Perth (Boorloo) and interested in community-engaged creative practice and cross-cultural collaboration.
- Myles Russell-Cook: Artistic Director and CEO of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, born and raised in Melbourne (Naarm) with maternal Aboriginal ancestry from Western Victoria.
- Mark Stewart: Senior Curator and Manager of Murdoch University Art Collection, based in Perth (Boorloo).
Entries are judged on the merit of the artist’s practice and their contribution to the development of the City’s Art Collection, including how the artist’s practice may add value and connection to the community.
All artists will be notified of their selection outcome by Monday 9 February 2026.
What are the key dates for artists?
Entries open on Wednesday 5 November 2025, and close on Tuesday 2 December 2025, at midday (AWST) or upon receipt of 150 entries.
An Information Session will be held with selected artists in February 2026, at a date to be confirmed by the City. The Artist must attend this session, either in-person or remotely.
Artists will have a 6-month period to create a body of work between February–July 2025 and are required to submit final artwork details (marketing and production information) by Sunday 26 July 2026. Further artwork changes are not permitted after this date.
The City will check in with the artists during studio visits during the above timeframe, as per the schedule confirmed by the City.
Artwork delivery is required Thursday 8 October 2026 and artwork installation will take place week as per the installation schedule confirmed by the City. For complex installation requirements, the artist will be asked to be present for install and de-install.
The exhibition will have an opening and award ceremony on Saturday 24 October 2026 when the winner will be announced.
The exhibition will be open to the public following this date until Sunday 12 December 2026.
Artwork collection is required on Wednesday 16 December 2026.
Where is the exhibition held?
The exhibition will take place in the Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery, at 102 Boas Avenue, Joondalup.
How does the artist model work regarding fees and the body of work?
The current model, introduced in 2025, invites artists to create a body work, as deemed suitable by the artist fee, the amount of exhibition space available, and the size requirements noted in the Terms and Conditions. This model is intended to pay artists appropriately, provide more time to create, and offer flexibility in the artistic outcome by best representing the artist’s practice.
How are artists paid?
Artists will be paid a total fee of $3,500 including a fee to create new artwork ($2,000) and a production/materials fee ($1,500). The fee for new artwork is based on NAVA rates for established artists for a large organisation.
The fee will be paid in the following milestone payments:
- Contract signed (February 2026): $2,000 payment (includes $500 fee for new work and $1,500 production and materials fee)
- Final artwork accepted (August 2026): $1,000 payment (fee for new work)
- Exhibition completion (December 2026): $500 payment (fee for new work)
How does the Acquisitive Prize work?
Exhibited artworks will be judged for the $25,000 Acquisitive Prize by an independent panel of arts industry professionals. The prize is judged on artistic merit and suitability criteria for the City of Joondalup Art Collection. The Prize is acquisitive, meaning that the whole body of artwork becomes the property of the City of Joondalup Art Collection.
A non-acquisitive Popular Choice Award of $500 will be awarded to the artist who receives the most votes, as voted by the public, at the end of the exhibition.
How does artwork pricing apply in the new model?
All artworks must be available for sale. With the exception of the winning artwork and the City acquiring the whole body of work, artwork pricing is determined by the artist, who decides if the work is sold as a whole or itemised and the sale amounts. The total price of artworks must not exceed $25,000.
The City takes a 20% commission on all artwork sales, excluding the winning artwork. The City only sells the edition of the work in the exhibition; further edition sales are the artist’s responsibility.
I still have questions. Where can I seek further support?
For any queries, contact visualarts@joondalup.wa.gov.au or call 9400 4000.