Entries have opened for the 2026 Redland Art Awards, a biennial contemporary painting prize coordinated by Redland Art Gallery in Queensland, Australia. The competition is open to all Australian artists, offering a total prize pool of $30,500, including a $20,000 acquisitive first prize. The lead judge is curator and arts writer Alison Kubler. The awards, which began in 1981 as a local prize by Redland Yurara Art Society, will culminate in a finalist exhibition from November 2026 to January 2027.
The Redland Art Awards matter because they highlight the role of regional arts centers in fostering Australian contemporary painting and supporting local artists. With over 400 entries in 2024 and a growing acquisitive prize that adds winning works to the permanent collection, the awards help sustain the cultural ecosystem outside major metropolitan hubs. The competition also strengthens community engagement through prizes like the People's Choice Award, reinforcing Redlands Coast's identity as a significant regional arts center.