The John Villiers Outback Art Prize is the Outback Regional Gallery’s most anticipated event on our annual calendar – with the prize attracting contemporary depictions of the theme ‘Outback A Sense of Place’ locally and from across the nation. The prize is open to Adult and Emerging Youth Categories and has grown into a leading arts prize.
The Outback Regional Gallery is grateful for the continued support of our major sponsor since 2012 - The John Villiers Trust and the legacy of the late John ‘Jack’ Villiers. Jack’s vision - to increase opportunity for people living in far remote regions of Queensland and for young people to access quality opportunities through the arts.
The 2026 John Villiers Outback Art Prize is open for entries from 8 August 2025 – 16 January 2026 https://johnvilliersoutbackartprize.com/
$10,000 Major Prize Winner $12,500 Prize Pool Adult Category $3,000 Prize Pool Emerging Youth Category $500 People Choice Award
Theme: Outback A Sense of Place
The John Villiers Outback Art Prize is generously sponsored by The John Villiers Trust, Winton Shire Council and Ros Kavanagh of Elders Insurance Central Queensland.