About the Ipswich Art Awards 2025
The Ipswich Art Awards return in 2025 for their 25th year, a proud milestone celebrating a quarter-century of artistic excellence in our region.
As the leading visual arts award in Ipswich, the event showcases the depth and diversity of talent across Queensland and beyond. In 2024, more than 300 artists submitted over 400 works for judging, with half of all entries coming from outside the Ipswich region. The exhibition welcomes over 1,500 visitors annually and continues to grow as a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar.
Entries for the Ipswich Art Awards 2025 open on 1 August. With eight prize categories and the prestigious Best of Show up for grabs, this is your chance to be part of a vibrant and longstanding celebration of the arts.
Whether you're an emerging artist or an established creative, we invite you to be part of this special 25th anniversary year.
Information for entering artists
With eight prize categories and the prestigious Best of Show up for grabs, the Ipswich Art Awards 2025 offer a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant and longstanding celebration of the arts.
Entry guidelines will be released in June 2025, with entries officially opening on 1 August 2025.
Find out more about entry requirements below.
Entries will be accepted from 9:00am 1 August 2025 until 6:00pm 31 August 2025.
The entry form will request the following details:- name and contact details
- title of artwork
- artwork statement (up to 75 words)
- artwork dimensions (size)
- materials and media used for creation
- photo of artwork
- sale price for the piece
- competition entry fee
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 8 November 2025.
- Work can only be submitted by an individual over the age of 15 years.
- 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 artwork must be the artist's own unaided creation.
- The artwork must have been completed within the past 12 months immediately preceding 31 August 2025.
- 2D artwork must not exceed 110cm on its longest side including the frame.
- 3D artwork must be able to be moved by a maximum of two persons.
- New Media includes digitally created works and should not be printed onto a canvas and not exceed 4GB in size and 4 minutes in length.
- 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.
Artists are invited to submit work under the following categories:
- Painting: Acrylic and Oil – $1,500
- Painting: Watercolour – $1,500
- Drawing and Pastels – $1,500
- Three Dimensions – $1,500
- Photography – $1,500
- Print Making (non-digital) – $1,500
- Mixed Media – $1,500
- New Media – $1,500
- People’s Choice Award – $1,500
All entries are automatically considered for the Best of Show Award with a prize of $3,000. Please note that the winning Best of Show artwork is not eligible to win any other category.
- Artwork must be delivered by the artist or a representative of the artist. Artwork cannot be delivered by courier or post.
- Each artwork must have the name of the artist, and the title of the artwork fixed to the back of the artwork.
- It is the responsibility of the artist to protect their artworks for storage before hanging.
- Artwork must be suitably framed or on a stretch canvas.
- Artwork must be ready for hanging with 'D' hooks and wire positioned on the rear.
- All New Media entries should be submitted on a USB 2.0 or 3.0 in the file format of MP4 or AVI.
On Saturday 8 November 2025, Ipswich City Council will be hosting the Awards Night of the Ipswich Art Awards 2025 including the awards presentation.
Artists and their guest/s are required to purchase a ticket at time of entry. Tickets to attend the Awards Night are:
- Artist – $10.00
- Artist guest – $18.00
- General public – $20.00
Tickets include entertainment, canapés, and two alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. Artists under the age of 18 who have submitted an entry may attend if accompanied by an adult.
At the close of award entries, any remaining tickets will be made available for purchase by the general public at a cost of $20.00.
All artwork is for sale and can be purchased by members of the public for the entire exhibition including Opening 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.
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Past exhibitions
Each year, over 300 artists submit more than 400 works for judging, with around half of all entries coming from outside the Ipswich region.
The Ipswich Art Awards draws over 1,500 visitors annually and continues to grow as a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar.
Check out the past Ipswich Art Award Exhibitions below.
