Artists from across western and north-western New South Wales are being invited to submit their work for the 2026 Outback Country Art Prize, with entries remaining open until Monday, August 17.
Formerly known as the Outback Archies, the annual competition was established in 2011 to provide artists living in rural and remote communities with an opportunity to exhibit their work, compete for cash prizes and gain access to professional development.
The prize has continued to grow through long-term partnerships which also provide selected artists with opportunities to exhibit their work through metropolitan gallery partners.
Now in its 15th year, the competition has become a highly anticipated event for regional artists and the wider community.
Three new open categories have been introduced for 2026 — Landscapes, Legends and Lifelines — with artists able to interpret the themes through any visual arts medium other than video or audio works.
The competition is open to adult artists living within the Bourke, Brewarrina, Bogan, Cobar, Coonamble, Warren, Walgett, Gilgandra, Narrabri, Moree, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Gwydir, Tamworth, Broken Hill, Wentworth and Central Darling local government areas, as well as the Western Unincorporated Area.
Youth categories are also available for primary and high school-aged artists over seven years of age, allowing younger entrants to submit artwork in any visual arts medium.
Entries cost $10 for each work submitted in the open categories, while entry into the Young Legends and Little Legends categories is free.
Artists may enter work created during the past two years. Two-dimensional pieces must not exceed approximately 1.7 metres by one metre, including the frame, while three-dimensional works must not exceed 1.7 metres by one metre squared or weigh more than 25 kilograms.
A pre-selection process will be conducted using the images submitted with each entry, with shortlisted works chosen for inclusion in the exhibition.
Selected artists are expected to be notified by Friday, August 21, with successful works required to be delivered to the Outback Arts Gallery in Coonamble by Thursday, September 3.
The exhibition will be officially opened on Saturday, September 26, before running from September 28 until December 24 at the Outback Arts Gallery, 26 Castlereagh Street, Coonamble.
Artists are not required to offer their work for sale. Pieces that are available for purchase will attract a 22 per cent commission payable to Outback Arts, which artists are encouraged to consider when setting their sale price.
Entries must be accompanied by the required images and entry fee and submitted no later than August 17.
Full terms and conditions and the official entry form are available through the Outback Arts website.
Key dates
Entries close: August 17, 2026
Successful artists notified: August 21, 2026
Selected works delivered: September 3, 2026
Exhibition opening: September 26, 2026
Exhibition: September 28 to December 24, 2026