Entries are now open for the 2026 Pro Hart Outback Art Prize, Broken Hill City Art Gallery's largest and most anticipated exhibition of the year.
Open to artists across Australia and in any medium, the national acquisitive art prize invites artists to submit artworks reflecting the spirit, landscapes and stories of the Australian outback, continuing Broken Hill's long tradition as one of Australia's most significant regional centres for art.
The prize carries a total prize pool of $23,000, including a $20,000 acquisitive First Prize, with the winning work becoming part of the Broken Hill City Art Gallery's nationally recognised permanent collection.
Last year's acquisitive prize was awarded to Broken Hill artist Krystle Evans for her contemporary textile work Not so wild west, a bold and playful piece exploring the mythology of the "Wild West" through humour and reclaimed materials.
The work was selected by 2025 guest judge Brett Adlington, CEO of Museums & Galleries of NSW, who praised the piece for offering a fresh and compelling perspective on life in the outback.
Originally established as the Outback Art Prize, the competition was later renamed the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize to honour the legacy of renowned Broken Hill artist Pro Hart, whose work helped shape the city's reputation as a nationally recognised centre for art and culture.
The 2026 prize also marks 20 years since Hart's passing, celebrating his enduring influence on the region's artistic identity.
Gallery & Museum Manager Kathy Graham said the prize continues to highlight the diverse ways artists interpret the Australian outback.
"Each year the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize attracts remarkable entries from artists across Australia, offering diverse perspectives on the outback and what it represents today. We look forward to seeing the new interpretations artists bring to the 2026 exhibition," Ms Graham said.
The prize is made possible through the generous support of Raylee J Hart and the Hart family, in honour of Pro Hart's lasting contribution to the arts.
Selected finalists will be exhibited at Broken Hill City Art Gallery from 31 July to 25 October 2026.
Artists can find full details and submit entries here.
Prize Pool
First Prize - $20,000 acquisitive
Second Prize - $2,000
People's Choice Award - $1,000
Key Dates
Entries Open - Monday 16 March
Entries Close - Monday 8 June
Finalists Notified -Friday 26 June
Artworks Due - Friday 24 July
Opening Night - Friday 31 July
Exhibition Dates - 31 July to 25 October
