The University of Southern Queensland Biennial Art Award, launched in 2024, invites artists from across Australia to enter a new contemporary art prize with a $24,000 prize pool, two acquisitive awards, and an exhibition at the UniSQ Art Gallery in Toowoomba. In its inaugural year, the award attracted 645 entries from over 300 artists, with 36 finalists exhibited; the main winner was Gabrielle Jones for her painting *Disordered Dream*, and Susie Choi won the Emerging Artist Award. Entries close 20 July 2025, with the exhibition running from 1 September to 2 October.
The award matters because it establishes a significant new platform for Australian contemporary artists at all career stages, offering professional exposure, community engagement, and the chance for works to enter a permanent institutional collection. Its accessible entry fee and national reach help foster cultural connections across Queensland and beyond, positioning the prize as a growing force in Australia's arts calendar.