Youth Art Prize

• 22 June to 7 August: Online submissions
• Thursday 20 August: Artwork drop-off at 9 Chaffey Ave, Mildura between 3pm and 4.30pm
• Friday 18 September: Celebration evening and announcement at Mildura Arts Centre as part of Youth Showcase event
• Friday 28 August to Sunday 4 October: Exhibition dates at Mildura Arts Centre
• 8 to 10 October: Artwork collection at Mildura Arts Centre between 3pm and 4.30pm

To submit works in the Youth Arts Prize, complete the online application form

Entries received after the closing date will not be accepted. 

Artworks will be accepted across a range of mediums including drawing, painting and photography.

We ask that entries comply with the following guidelines:

• Artworks must be suitable for public exhibition
• All artwork is to be clearly labelled with name and contact phone number on the back of the artwork
• Drawings, photography or works on paper should be mounted on a sheet of black cardboard or mountboard
• Framing is not required. Where entrants have chosen to frame a work, we encourage Perspex instead of glass
• Paintings on board or canvas must be delivered with D-rings affixed to the rear of the artwork. Wet paintings will not be accepted
• All artwork is entered at the artist’s own risk
• Artwork no larger than A3 will not be accepted

We ask that entries comply with the following guidelines:

• Artworks must be suitable for public exhibition
• All artwork is to be clearly labelled with name, phone number, school and year level on the back of the artwork
• Drawings, photography or works on paper should be mounted on a sheet of black rigid cardboard or mountboard
• Framing is not required. Where entrants have chosen to frame a work, we encourage Perspex instead of glass
• Paintings on board or canvas must be delivered with D-rings affixed to the rear of the artwork. Wet paintings will not be accepted
• All artwork is entered at the artist's own risk
• Artworks larger than A3 border size will not be accepted

The judges’ decision is final, and no subsequent discussion will be entered into. Due to the expected high volume of entries, individual feedback cannot be given.

Entry of artwork to the competition constitutes the artist’s permission for competition organisers to reproduce the work without fee for the purpose of promotion in print and electronic media. No responsibility will be taken by competition organisers for damage or breakages of artwork. Every care will be taken by competition organisers to minimise risk of damage.

Council staff reserve the right to change, deny or remove any work of art, signage or wording placed in the gallery that is deemed inappropriate, unsuitable, poorly presented or offensive to public taste. Artists and their teacher/parent/guardian will be informed of this decision.

Winners will be announced at the 2026 Youth Awards Night to be held at Mildura Arts Centre on Friday 18 September. The winners' announcement will be released on Youth Engagement Services social media channels (Facebook and lnstagram), after the awards night.

The People's Choice Award will be voted on for the duration of the exhibition and will be announced via Youth Engagement Services social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) and at the conclusion of the exhibition. 

All artwork will be returned to schools between 8 to 10 October, unless other arrangements have been made.

For more information email youthservices@mildura.vic.gov.au or contact 03 5018 8100.

Participants exhibiting in the Youth Art Prize also agree to have their work and themselves photographed for promotional purposes related to the Youth Art Prize.

This includes print media and Mildura Rural City Council's social media pages. Participants who do not wish to have their images used for these purposes should contact youthservices@mildura.vic.gov.au to notify us.

The People’s Choice Award will be announced via the Youth Engagement Services Facebook and Instagram pages at the end of the exhibition. Attendees have the chance to vote for their favourite piece through the exhibition duration.

For more information about Youth Engagement Services’ Amplify program call 03 5018 8100 or email youthservices@mildura.vic.gov.au

While prizes are awarded, the joy of experiencing their artwork in a public exhibition is the real prize.