Entries will be accepted from 1 August 2026 until 13 September 2026.

• name and contact details
• title of artwork
• artwork statement (up to 75 words)
• artwork category
• artwork Size 2D work (width x height in cm)
• short list of materials and media to create work
• photo of artwork (filename format: firstname_lastname_width_height_title)
• sale price for the piece
• payment of the competition entry fee of $40.00 (maximum 2 entries per artist)

Please note that your competition entry fee does not include a ticket to the Ipswich Art Awards Exhibition Opening Night which will be held on 7 November 2026.

Before submitting your entry, it is essential that you read the full Guidelines and Terms and Conditions to ensure your artwork meets all eligibility and submission requirements.

• Work can only be submitted by an individual over the age of 15 years.
• Eligible for Australian permanent residents and citizens.
• Entries must be submitted online at creatorsofipswich.com.au
• Entry details are final at the time of submission. Details cannot be changed once the entry has been received.

The following sessions have been developed to assist with completing Ipswich Art Award entries.

ARTiculate
Sessions to guide artists with both artists and artworks on completing their submissions for the Ipswich Art Awards.

• Hit Submit: Ipswich Art Awards
  • 15 August 2026 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • 20 August 2026 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ipswich Art Workshop - Drop-in Session

A drop-in session for assistance with your submission or to answer any questions.

• 7 August 2026, from 9:00am - 11:00 am

Ipswich Art Workshop, D'arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich

• 11 September 2026, from 9:00am - 11:00 am

Ipswich Art Workshop, D'arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich

Ipswich Libraries

Computer and internet access is available at all Ipswich Libraries to allow you to complete your online application.

Click here for information on Ipswich Library locations.

Still need assistance with your entry?
Email creative.industries@ipswich.qld.gov.au

• The artwork must be the artists own unaided creation, is their own concept and is not copied from another artwork including workshop or online tutorials.
• The artwork must have been completed within the past 12 months immediately preceding Sunday 13 September 2026.
• 2D artwork must not exceed 110cm on its longest side including the frame.
• 3D artwork must be able to be moved by maximum of two people. Any 3D work with multiple pieces must be connected or displayed on a tray/board. Artwork will not be assembled by the installers.
• New Media is digitally created work that is submitted on a USB. Digitally created work should not be printed onto a canvas.
• New Media works must not exceed 4GB in size and 4 minutes in length if a video.
• The artwork must not violate or infringe upon the legal rights of any other person, including the copyright, intellectual property rights, trademark, or moral rights of any person.
• All artworks, including multipart and three‑dimensional works, must be presented as one complete, connected piece and ready for display.

Artists are invited to submit work under the following categories:

• Painting: Acrylic
• Painting: Oil
• Painting: Watercolour
• Drawing and Pastels
• Three Dimensions
• Photography
• Print Making (not digital)
• Mixed Media
• New Media

On Saturday 7 November 2026 Ipswich City Council will be hosting the Awards Night.

Artists and their guest/s are requested to purchase a ticket at time of submitting their application for the Ipswich Art Awards.

Tickets to attend the Awards Night for both artists and their guests are $20.00 each.

All artwork is for sale and can be purchased by members of the public for the entire exhibition including Awards Night.

A 20 per cent commission is retained by Ipswich City Council (council) to support the cost of administrative processing. Artists will be notified of a sale within 48 hours of sale. The notification of sale will require artists to supply bank details to Ipswich City Council to receive payment. Please refer to Ipswich City Council Privacy Statement.

Payments will be processed by Ipswich City Council up to 45 days after the submission of required information to council.

Sophie Chapman (Curator, The Condensery) is recognised for building collaborative partnerships that connect artists, communities and organisations to deliver innovative and engaging cultural initiatives.

Before joining The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery as Gallery Curator, Sophie was Exhibitions Producer at the State Library of Queensland. She has also held roles with Logan Art Gallery and the National Association of the Visual Arts, gaining extensive experience across public galleries, cultural institutions, and the broader visual arts sector.

Passionate about the role of arts and culture in strengthening communities, Sophie is committed to delivering dynamic curatorial programs that champion exceptional creative practice, encourage participation, and enrich cultural life.

Andrea Higgins is an arts professional with over 25 years’ experience in the visual arts, craft and design sector. Since joining Museums & Galleries Queensland in 2015, she has progressed to Exhibitions Coordinator, managing logistics for the organisation’s touring exhibition program and supporting the delivery of high-quality experiences to regional and metropolitan audiences across Australia.

Andrea has contributed significant expertise to arts-in-health initiatives through her involvement with the Queensland Children’s Hospital Arts Program Committee and the Ipswich Mental Health Unit Arts Program Committee supporting commissioned artworks, temporary art programs, performances, education initiatives and stakeholder engagement.

Before joining M&G QLD, Andrea held leadership roles with artisan and Craft Queensland, delivering special commissioning projects and awards. Her career also includes involvement in Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art retail spaces. In 2004, Andrea co-founded the Queensland Centre of Photography, serving as a Foundation Board member.

A practicing artist, Andrea completed a Master of Visual Arts (Photography) at Queensland College of Art, Griffith University in 2014. With works held in public and private Australian Collections, her work has been recognised in the Stuart Holme Art Awards and Clayton Utz Art Awards.