Paddo Painting Prize

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Applications close
2 August 2026
Announced
15 October 2026
Prize money
AUD $30,000
Location
NSW, Australia
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Paddo Painting Prize

The Paddington Art Prize is a $30,000 Australian National Acquisitive painting prize that encourages the interpretation of the Australian landscape as a significant contemporary genre. The prize was Founded and Principally Sponsored by Marlene Antico OAM in 2004, and in 2023 her son Chris Antico (Artist) took over as Principal Sponsor, & daughter Pia Antico took over as Art Prize Managing Coordinator; ensuring the Paddington Art Prize's continued growth; beyond its 22nd year.

Prizes

  • $30,000 MAIN PRIZE (Acquisitive) sponsored by Chris Antico
  • 10 Additional Non- Acquisitive Awards: $3000 HONORABLE MENTION sponsored by Marlene Antico OAM
  • $1000 HIGHLY COMMENDED- Sponsored by Kathryne Grigor (ExhibitionFacilitator)
  • ART LEVEN FIRST NATIONS FINE ARTS AWARD -.
  • This award recognises an outstanding work by a First Nations artist inspired by the Australian landscape, acknowledging the diverse ways artists respond to place, Country, and lived experience. The artist is awarded a $2,500 cash prize and the potential opportunity to exhibit with Art Leven in 2027/2028.
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  • ANTHEA POLSON GALLERY AWARD A 2026/2027 solo exhibition at the Anthea Polson Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland for an unrepresented artist who is among the 2025 finalists, from director Anthea Polson
  • BECKER MINTY GALLERY AWARD a 2027/8 solo exhibition at Becker Minty, Sydney for an artist that is not represented in NSW
  • PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD Sponsored by Rathenart Art Printing $1000 Gift Certificate to a Giclee Print of their winning painting
  • AL STRETCHERS AWARD $2000 Worth of Aluminium Stretchers sponsored by Alesandro Ljubicic
  • PADDO PAINTING PRIZE RESIDENCY/ GALLERY AWARD - A two week live-in residency at Eramboo Artist Environment, North Sydney and an opportunity to hold a 10 day self-managed 2027/2028 exhibition in Eramboo Gallery Space with $500 cash towards the exhibition costs
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Exhibition of National Finalists Venue:  Council House,1st Floor 111 Queen St, Woollahra, 2025 (Entry via Dorhauer Lane)

2025 Paddington Art Prize $30,000 National Acquisitive Winner -Emily Ebbs, 2025 $3000 Honorable Mention - Mungo Howard, 2025 $1000 Highly Commended- Dianne Ingram, 2025 Art Leven Gallery Award Winner - Emily Ebbs, 2025 Anthea Polson Gallery Award Winner- Georgie Kite, 2025 Becker Minty Gallery Award Winner - Liam Nunan, 2025 Paddo Painting Prize Residency/Exhibition - Nick Santoro 2025 $2000 Al Stretchers Award Winner - Zoe Young, $1000 2025 Rathenart Printing Award Winner - Dianne Ingram, & 202 $1000 People's Choice Award Winner VidhyaKarnamadakala

Summary
Application dates
9 March 2026 - 2 August 2026
Exhibition dates
15 October 2026 - 26 October 2026
Finalists notified
4 September 2026
Eligibility
National Entries
Prize frequency
Annual
Judges
Rebecca Ray (First Nations Curator, MCA); Ingrid Hedgcock (Director of Tweed Regional Gallery) ; Graham Marchant (2011 & 2023 Paddington Art Prize Finalist)
Prize genre
Landscape
Location
Council House,1st Floor 111 Queen St, Woollahra, 2025 (Entry via Dorhauer Lane)
NSW
Australia
Prizes
AUD $30,000
Fees
$55 for one work or $90 for two works. There is a 40% commission on sales.
Last updated
16 March 2026
Prior Winners
2025: Emily Ebbs - Winner ($30,000)
2025: Mungo Howard - Honourable Mention ($3,000)
2024: Jo Davenport - Winner ($30,000)
2024: Josephine Johnson - People's Choice
2023: Goompi Ugerabah - Winner ($30,000)
2022: Emily Imeson - Winner ($30,000)
2021: Bronte Leighton-Dore - UNSW Art & Design winner
2021: Sophie Cape - Winner ($30,000)
2020: Paul Higgs - Honourable Mention ($3,000)
2020: Peter O'Doherty - UNSW Print Winner
2020: Yvonne Boag - Winner ($30,000)
2019: Belinda Street - Winner ($30,000)
2018: Al Poulet - Winner ($30,000)
2017: Tim Allen - Winner ($25,000)
2016: Rodney Pople - Winner ($25,000)