Please ensure you read the Conditions of Entry carefully, as entry fees are non-refundable.

1. 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.
2. Previous finalists in the Emerging Artist Award are not eligible to enter.
3. Artists may submit a maximum of two entries, with one artwork per entry. Artworks must be complete at the time of submission.
4. The entry fee is $30 per artwork. Entry fees are non-refundable.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Selection of finalist artworks will take into consideration the gallery’s capacity to accommodate installation requirements. There are no artwork size limits. 
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. All shortlisted artworks must be available for sale. A commission of 20% will be retained by fortyfivedownstairs on all sales.
11. 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

12. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
13. 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.
14. While all reasonable care will be taken in handling artworks, fortyfivedownstairs accepts no responsibility for loss or damage.
15. 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.