2026 Community Art Awards and exhibition 

Conditions of Entry

Artwork submissions

• Maximum of one entry per person.
• All works entered must be less than 12 months old from the entries closing date, the original work of the artist and must not have been previously exhibited or produced (including entries into the photography category).
• 2D works must not exceed 1.3m x 1.3m in any direction, including the frame. All 2D works must not exceed 10kg in weight.
• 3D artwork must not exceed 40cm deep (front to back), 60cm high (top to bottom) and 1m wide (left to right). All 3D artwork must not exceed 20kg in weight.
• All artworks must be a single item (no diptych or triptych works, or print editions).
• Video artworks may either be uploaded or shared via a link from a file-sharing or file-hosting website (i.e. Dropbox/OneDrive). Maximum file size is 10MB. Maximum length for videos is 5 minutes. Entrants may also include a maximum 2.5-minute excerpt or ‘trailer’ that may be used for judging and/or marketing and promotion.
• Any electrical components on artworks must be tested and tagged by a professional electrician or they will not be installed in the exhibition.
• All artworks are to be clearly labelled on the back of the artwork indicating: artist name, title, medium, dimensions (in cm), price and award categories.
• Works must be completely dry, delivered suitably presented for public exhibition and ready for display/hanging. Flat D-rings must be placed at the back of the work, one-third down from the top edge, with secure cord or wire. An example is shown below:

Entries

• The online entry form will be available via bayswater.wa.gov.au/artawards during the entry period advertised above.
• Hard-copy entry forms will be available from the City of Bayswater Civic Centre during the entry period.
• Completed entry forms must be submitted by 4pm, Friday 22 May 2026. Upon entry, ensure all details are correct as entry form information will not be altered once submitted. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Entry into the City of Bayswater Community Art Awards is free, however, submissions accepted into the exhibition attract an entry fee of $30 per artist. If your artwork is accepted into the exhibition, payment must be made by 4pm, Friday 26 June.
• Artists under the age of 18 (as of Saturday 4 July 2026) are not required to pay an entry fee.
• Artists can submit a brief statement about their practice or artwork (no more than 75 words). This is optional, however highly recommended. For advice on how to write an artist statement, view this NAVA fact sheet.
• Artists must provide a high-resolution digital image of their completed work (minimum 300dpi or 1MB  – 10MB). Files must be saved using the format artist surname _ first name. Upload the image when completing the online entry form provided by the City. Example: (Smith_John.jpeg).

Artwork delivery and collection

• Entrants are to cover all delivery costs. No payment will be made by the City for freight or other delivery charges incurred in the delivery or return of artwork.
• It is not the responsibility of the City to wrap artwork upon return or to store wrapping material.
• Exhibiting artworks must be delivered to The RISE, 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands on Sunday 28 June 2026, between 9am and 3pm. Artworks will not be accepted any other time.
• Entry fees are not refundable if the artist does not deliver the artwork during the specified time.
• Artwork is to be collected from The RISE, 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands on Saturday 18 July between 9am and 3pm.
• Photo identification must be presented when collecting artwork. If you are unable to attend during collection time, contact the City’s Arts and Events team via art.awards@bayswater.wa.gov.au to make alternative arrangements prior to this date. Provide written confirmation via email if you require someone else to collect artwork on your behalf.
• The City reserves the right to dispose of uncollected artworks three months after the end of the exhibition.
• Purchasers of artworks will be asked to collect the artwork directly from The RISE during the collection time above. The City will liaise directly with the artist on any details or requirements for handing the artwork over to the purchaser.

Curator, judging and awards
Exhibition curator

• The curator will assist a City of Bayswater appointed selection panel in reviewing submissions, selecting entries and arranging the display of artworks for the exhibition. All decisions are final.
• If your artwork is not selected, you will be advised by email after Tuesday 2 June 2026.
• The City will not provide feedback on the outcomes of entries.
• Works will be assessed on quality, salability and the diversity of styles and categories.

Judging panel

• All artwork will be judged on artistic merit by a panel of independent arts industry professionals selected by the City. The judging panel’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

Awards and prizes

• Artworks will be judged across all nominated award categories:

– City of Bayswater Open Award (Acquisitive): $7,500
– Whadjuk Award (Acquisitive): $7,500
– Highly Commended (2 x awards): $750
– People’s Choice Award: $750
– Photography Award: $750
– Sculpture Award: $750
– City of Bayswater Resident Award: $500
– Ellis House Member Award: $500
– High School Entry (Years 7–12): Art supply prize pack supplied by Art & Craft World Morley
– Primary School Entry (Years 1–6): Art supply prize pack supplied by Art & Craft World Morley
– Highly Commended High School Entry (Years 7–12): $50 Art & Craft World Morley voucher
– Highly Commended Primary School Entry (Years 1–6): $50 Art & Craft World Morley voucher.

• The People’s Choice Award is selected by public vote. Votes close 4pm, Friday 17 July 2026.
• All exhibited artworks are eligible to win the City of Bayswater Open Award (Acquisitive) and the People’s Choice Award.
• Entrants cannot be awarded the City of Bayswater Open Award (Acquisitive) and Whadjuk Award (Acquisitive) prizes in two consecutive years, however, are eligible to receive a prize in any other category.
• The City of Bayswater Open Award and Whadjuk Award are acquisitive prizes and the winning artworks will become part of the City of Bayswater Art Collection.
• Artworks awarded the City of Bayswater Open Award (Acquisitive) and Whadjuk Award (Acquisitive) must not be reproduced or editioned for sale after receipt of the award.
• City of Bayswater residents with entries accepted into the exhibition will be automatically entered into the City of Bayswater Resident Award category.
• To be eligible for the Whadjuk Award, the artist must identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Winning entries will be announced at the opening night of the exhibition. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced within one week of the exhibition closing.
• Artists do not have to be present at the opening night of the exhibition to be eligible for a prize, however, must make a reasonable attempt to provide a suitable proxy to attend on their behalf.

Sales

• All sale prices must include a 15% commission fee.
• The sale of youth entries (under the age of 18) is optional and incurs no commission on the sale.
• All entries (excluding youth entries) must be for sale and entrants must indicate ABN and GST details on the entry form, where appropriate.
• All equipment required by the artist to display the artwork must be included in the sale.
• Artists who do not have an ABN must complete a Statement by Supplier Form.
• The City acts as an agent on behalf of the artist and does not take ownership of the artwork. All sales must be made through the City before 4pm, Friday 17 July 2026.
• Exhibited artworks cannot be sold prior to the exhibition opening night.
• The City will only sell artworks that are on display and in its care during the exhibition. The City may forward customer enquiries to the artist after the exhibition has concluded, however these enquiries are to be managed independent of the City.
• Funds from the sale of artworks will be processed and transferred following the conclusion of the exhibition and will be subject to the City’s payment processing schedules.

Copyright, insurance and legalities

• Artwork generated entirely by AI will not be accepted. Artworks generated in part by AI (not exceeding 10% of the final visual or digital artwork) must be disclosed and a description of the AI tools and methods employed in the creation process must be included in your submission as the medium or in the artist statement. This information will be included with the artwork by the City of Bayswater to ensure transparency.
• The City of Bayswater reserves the right to refuse any entries deemed unsuitable for public exhibition. This is a community event and all artwork must be suitable for viewing by all age groups and demographics.
• The City of Bayswater, while exercising all due care, will not be responsible for any loss, damage or theft of any artwork. It is the responsibility of the artist to provide insurance for their works.
• Artists are solely responsible for satisfying any copyright requirements concerning their artwork submission.
• Artists are responsible for ensuring the category selections are completed correctly on the entry form to ensure they are judged in the appropriate categories.
• The City is not responsible or liable for any errors or omissions in content after entries are received, including in the display of artwork pricing and the sales process.
• City staff cannot enter or exhibit artworks in the City of Bayswater Community Art Awards and Exhibition.
• All work must be the original work of the submitting artist. Artists may be requested to provide a release form with permission if the work features a person or place of cultural significance.
• Entrants agree to allow visual recordings and photography of their submitted artwork for publicity and promotional purposes. Artists agree to allow any work to be reproduced in part or whole by print or electronic media for non-commercial purposes including, but not limited to, promotion, review and educational purposes, collection management and future promotion of the City of Bayswater Community Art Awards and Exhibition.
• The City will attribute the artist wherever practical.

For further information and enquiries, please contact the City’s Arts and Events team via email art.awards@bayswater.wa.gov.au