National Emerging Art Prize 2026

Discover the next generation of Australian artists at the 2026 National Emerging Art Prize Finalists Exhibition, bringing together 45 outstanding paintings and 20 photographs by emerging Australian artists at The Garden Gallery.

Now in its sixth year, the National Emerging Art Prize (NEAP) has established itself as a vital platform for new voices in Australian contemporary art, offering art lovers and collectors the opportunity to discover and acquire original work by artists on the cusp of wider recognition. Selected from a record number of more than 1,600 submissions in 2026, this year's finalists represent a sweeping survey of emerging creative talent from across the country, with all works available for acquisition.

Supported by founding sponsor Morgans Financial Limited, the exhibition features finalists selected by an expert panel of leading contemporary artists, curators and cultural figures, led by NEAP co-founder and curator Amber Creswell Bell. Over its first five editions, NEAP has helped launch the careers of numerous artists, providing national exposure, professional opportunities and pathways towards sustained artistic careers.

The 2026 awards program offers a prize pool valued at more than $40,000, including the $20,000 acquisitive Morgans Financial Prize for Emerging Painters, the $10,000 acquisitive Seed Prize for Emerging Photographers, the $5,000 Plato Prize for an Emerging First Nations Artist and the $2,000 Award of Excellence.

Whether you are an established collector, a first-time art buyer or simply looking for an early glimpse of Australia's next wave of creative talent, the National Emerging Art Prize Finalists Exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to encounter original contemporary art and support the artists shaping its future.

All works are available to view and acquire throughout the exhibition, open daily from 29 October to 11 November at The Garden Gallery.