$50,000
THE JOHN D. BOWE AWARD
The John D. Bowe Art Prize honours a single artwork - one that most powerfully and meaningfully responds to the spirit of Queensland and its people - with an award of $50,000.
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How To Enter
The John D. Bowe Art Prize is a $50,000 statewide art prize awarded to the artwork that most powerfully expresses the character, resilience, and connection of Queensland, its spirit and its people.
Queensland artists of all levels, skills and backgrounds are invited to reflect on what it means to live and belong in this state, and to contribute to a broader sense of connection, understanding, and community through their own unique creative expression.
Each work must be original and created by the entrant. All mediums are welcome - painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and more. Entry is free, and the Prize is open to Queensland artists of all ages and experience levels.
About the response
There is no single right way to respond. Whether the work is personal or universal, literal or abstract, intimate or expansive, what matters is its ability to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and contribute to a deeper sense of shared Queensland experience.
This is not a conventional art prize. While artistic excellence is recognised, the Prize places greater importance on a work's capacity to capture the character, resilience, and connection of Queensland - and the people who call it home.
About the Judging
The Prize will be awarded by a judging panel acting as stewards of its purpose, including Today Show Correspondent Anthea Crothers, with additional names to be announced. The panel will assess works on their ability to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and contribute to a deeper sense of shared Queensland experience.
In a deliberate design choice, all entries will be submitted and assessed digitally - ensuring that every artist, from the heart of Brisbane to the farthest corner of the State, can take part on equal footing.
How to Enter
Prepare
Ensure your artwork is in JPEG or PNG format, maximum 10MB. Square format recommended..
Upload
Drag and drop your artwork or click to select. You can submit up to 10 entries.
Complete
Provide your details & artwork title.
Submit
Receive confirmation. Our judges will evaluate all entries and announce winners.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Open to Queensland residents of all ages and skill levels
- No entry fee — this competition is free to enter
- All artistic mediums accepted (painting, photography, sculpture, digital, mixed media, etc.)
- Work must be original and created by the entrant
- Work must not have been previously entered in another competition
- Maximum one entry per artist per category (up to three entries total)
- Digital submissions only — high-resolution images required (min. 2000px on shortest side)
- Artists retain copyright of their work
Key Dates
- Submissions openMonday, 25 May 2026
- Submissions closeSunday, 12 July 2026 at 11:59pm AEST
- Shortlisting and final judging13–15 July 2026
- Exhibition opensMonday, 27 July 2026
- Exhibition closesFriday, 31 August 2026
Submit your entry
Provide your details and artwork title