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Emerging Artist Award 2026
fortyfivedownstairs presents
Emerging Artist Award 2026
14 July – 24 July 2026
opening night:
Tuesday 14 July, 5 – 7pm
hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 7pm
Saturdays: 12pm – 4pm
admission: Free
… bold new work from some of Australia’s most exciting early-career artists…
fortyfivedownstairs is proud to present our 11th annual Emerging Artist Award.
The Emerging Artist Award at fortyfivedownstairs is a proven catalyst for recognition and professional development, while giving audiences the opportunity to discover bold new work from some of Australia’s most exciting early-career artists.
This year, the work of 31 finalists from across Australia is on display from 14–24 July 2026 across both our gallery spaces at 45 Flinders Lane.
The prize recipients of the $3000 prize pool were announced at opening night on Tuesday 14 July. Special thanks to guest judge Fran Clark, Director and Co-founder of ARC ONE Gallery.
The First Prize of $2,000 was awarded to Ivan Lengyel for P(destiny | origin).
The Second Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Ella Pininta for Everything Led Me Here.
In addition to their cash prizes, both winners will be given the opportunity to present solo exhibitions at fortyfivedownstairs in 2027.
Special mentions: Wood Song by Aliandra Nasrun for, Loves a cig by Codee Mac for, and Just As Long As We’re Together by Hamish Basset.
Congratulations to Emily Tian, who was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Love, a family gathering that lives only in my mind. Emily was presented with a prize pack generously donated by Liquitex and Jasart at the closing night.
The Emerging Artist Award 2026 is supported by Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation – The Cuming Bequest, Future Leaders, MSC Signs, Liquitex and Jasart.
Aleksander Morris
Aliandra Nasrun
Anna Lloyd-Parker
Bevan Lan
Cecilia Jacobs
Codee Mac
Ella Pininta
Emily Tian
Emily Yeonsoo Jung
Emma Kiley
Frankie Pan
Grace Mitchell
Hamish Bassett
Inyoung Lee
Isabel Margarita Morales Poblete
Ivan Lengyel
Jesse Birthisel
Joseph Tullmann
Kasia Dudkiewicz
Katya Ryzhikh
Kyah Barry
Maddie Hepner
Meghan Black
Mei Wah Williams
Michael Shin
Olive Bly
Olivia Brice
Patrick Chen
Sayuni Wickramsinghe
Susannah Collins
Tara Howe
- Entry is open to artists residing in Australia who are in the early stages of their career, defined as having held no more than three solo exhibitions, not being represented by a gallery, and not having won or been shortlisted for any major art prizes or awards, or possessing equivalent professional experience.
- Previous finalists in the Emerging Artist Award are not eligible to enter.
- Artists may submit a maximum of two entries, with one artwork per entry. Artworks must be complete at the time of submission.
- The entry fee is $30 per artwork. Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Entrants must complete the online application form and submit: an artist statement/supporting statement, a current artist CV, up to three images of the artwork. Total uploaded image files must not exceed 9MB.
- Any use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the production of submitted artwork must be clearly disclosed at the time of entry, including the extent and nature of its use.
- Selection of finalist artworks will take into consideration the gallery’s capacity to accommodate installation requirements. There are no artwork size limits.
- All media are eligible for submission. Artists exhibiting time-based, digital, installation, or non-standard works must provide all equipment, materials, hardware, and clear installation instructions required for display. fortyfivedownstairs will supply standard installation hardware only, including nails and screws.
- All costs associated with the delivery, freight, shipping, insurance, installation, and collection of artworks are the responsibility of the artist. All artworks must arrive in sound and exhibition-ready condition.
- All shortlisted artworks must be available for sale. A commission of 20% will be retained by fortyfivedownstairs on all sales.
- By submitting an entry, entrants acknowledge their availability to meet the following dates:
- Submission deadline: Friday 12 June 2026, 5:00pm
- Notification of finalists: Friday 26 June 2026
- Artwork delivery: Saturday 11 July 2026, 12:00pm–4:00pm
- Exhibition dates: 14–24 July 2026
- Collection of unsold works: Saturday 25 July 2026, 12:00pm–4:00pm
- The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- The final determination of eligibility and suitability for exhibition rests with fortyfivedownstairs. fortyfivedownstairs reserves the right to withdraw or refuse works deemed unsuitable for display, installation, safety, or logistical reasons.
- While all reasonable care will be taken in handling artworks, fortyfivedownstairs accepts no responsibility for loss or damage.
- By entering the award, entrants grant fortyfivedownstairs permission to reproduce images of submitted and shortlisted artworks for promotional, publicity, educational, and archival purposes, with artist attribution.