A prestigious competition will return to the Newcastle Art Gallery (NAG) in 2027… just in time to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
The Kilgour Prize is being relaunched for the first time in five years following the recent reopening of the Cooks Hill facility’s multi-million-dollar expansion.
Boasting a purse of $50,000, it recognises the most outstanding work of figurative or portrait painting.
NAG director Lauretta Morton OAM admitted it was a milestone moment for the award.
“Newcastle Art Gallery has been proud to administer the Kilgour Prize since it was established in 2006 following a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour,” she said.
“Since then, it’s become a well-respected and coveted inclusion on the national art prize calendar, attracting an incredibly high-calibre of entries from emerging and established artists across the country.
“The prize has been on hold since the gallery closed at the start of 2022 to undergo our major expansion project.
“So, we’re thrilled that, as part of our reopening year, we are able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this nationally-significant art prize.”
Almost 2,900 works have been entered into the Kilgour Prize since it was established, including a record 476 paintings received from across every state and territory in Australia in 2021.
In addition to the $50,000 first prize, a further $5,000 is awarded to the artwork voted most popular by the public.
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the Kilgour Prize would continue NAG’s place on the national stage.
“The gallery has been overwhelmingly embraced by our community and visitors since it reopened,” he stated.
“And, the return of the Kilgour Prize will enable us showcase artistic talent from across Australia.”
The Kilgour Prize boasts a strong resume of past winners including renowned British-born Australian artist Nicholas Harding, who took out the inaugural competition in 2006.
His winning entry, Beach life (pink zinc and figures), 2006, is among the NAG’s collection works currently on display in the Iconic Loved Unexpected exhibition.
The 2018 prize was awarded to one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists of the time, Natasha Walsh, whose victory was among three prestigious art awards she captured over a period of 12 weeks.
A string of former Archibald Prize winners and finalists have also claimed the Kilgour crown including Sydney-based artist Blak Douglas (2019), former Newcastle art teacher and Mambo artist Michael Bell (2020) and Newcastle painter Peter Gardiner (2016).
Entries for the 2027 Kilgour Prize are open now until 5 October, with finalists to be announced in December.
Joining Ms Morton on the judging panel are independent curator and Warumungu and Luritja woman Kelli Cole and renowned artist Jason Phu.
The winner is expected to be revealed at the exhibition opening in April 2027.
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