Artists from across the country are invited to submit work for this nationally significant acquisitive prize, which continues to champion excellence, innovation and technical skill in contemporary print practice. With a long history of attracting hundreds of entries each year, the Burnie Print Prize offers a highly regarded platform for both emerging and established artists to present their work to a broad audience. They welcome submissions across all printmaking techniques, from traditional processes such as etching, lithography and relief printing, to digital and expanded practices that push the boundaries of the medium.
Artwork Eligibility
Entries are open to artworks created in print media only. This includes works produced primarily using techniques such as relief, intaglio, planographic, and stencil printing.
Digital reproductions of print artworks are eligible, provided the original work was created using traditional printmaking methods.
Works created primarily in other media—including painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art (excluding digital reproductions of print artworks), photography, and mixed media—are not eligible.
Conditions of Entry
The Burnie Print Prize is open to artists aged 18 years and over at the date of entry, who are living and working in Australia. Employees of Burnie City Council and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.
Artists may submit one work only (which may comprise multiple components). The work must be in excellent condition and must have been completed within the two years prior to 30 October 2026 (i.e. after 30 October 2024).
Two-dimensional works may be submitted framed or unframed. Where works are framed, artists must grant permission for the Gallery to attach D-rings to the frame to suit the Gallery's hanging system. Where standard hanging systems are not suitable, detailed installation instructions must be provided at the time of entry.
All works entered must be available for acquisition.
Artists may elect to opt in or out of offering their work for sale during the exhibition. Works offered for sale will be subject to a 30% commission. All artists, regardless of this election, must provide the market value of their work for insurance purposes.
Awards
Burnie Print Prize
The Burnie Print Prize is a $18,000 AUD acquisitive award open to Australian artists aged 18 years and over. The winning work will be acquired into the Burnie Regional Art Gallery permanent collection.
Emerging Artist Award
An Emerging Artist Award of $5000 AUD will be presented to an eligible entrant. This is a non-acquisitive award.
Public Vote Award
All selected works are eligible for the Public Vote Award of $1000 AUD. This is a non-acquisitive award and will be announced in the final week of the exhibition.
Selection of Works
The Burnie Print Prize is a curated exhibition. Entries will be assessed by a panel of judges based on submitted digital images and the accompanying artist statement.
Entrants will be notified of the outcome of their submission by Friday 27 November 2026.
The acquisitive Burnie Print Prize will be determined by the judges in situ following installation of the exhibition. The judges' decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Feedback or critique will not be provided.
All entrants and shortlisted artists are invited to attend the exhibition opening, either in person or virtually, where award recipients will be announced.
Exhibition
Opening event: 5.30pm, Friday 19 March 2027
Exhibition closes: Saturday 29 May 2027
Duration: 10 weeks