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RQAS Young Artist Award

4 March 2026 - 29 March 2026

Details

Start:
4 March 2026
End:
29 March 2026
Event Category:

In line with the society’s commitment to encouraging and supporting young people, the Young Artist Award (YAA) is an open competition for artists aged 30 & under, offering a prize pool valued at $2500 for Queensland’s emerging fine artists.

 

Young artists are invited to submit Paintings or Drawings of a subject observed from life. This means to directly observe your subject (whether it be human, animal, landscape or still life) in real life, rather than drawing from a photograph or from your imagination. You can of course still put your own artistic spin on it! Photography should be used as supportive reference only. Subject, genre, stylistic approach, and medium are of the artist’s choice, but photography will not be accepted.

 

All artists will receive a 1yr membership to the Royal Queensland Art Society Brisbane Branch as part of their entry.

 

Why is observing the subject from life important?

Drawing from direct observation involves carefully looking at the subject: seeing and recording the shapes, light and dark tones, comparing height to width, and then converting what you see from 3D form to 2D. Observing and drawing from life forces your brain to interpret form, space and depth. You’re not just copying an image; you’re learning to see what is really there and translate your observation of the world to the page or canvas for others to appreciate.

INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS

Click on the buttons below to view prizes, event dates, entry fees and terms and conditions:

DATES

Event ActivityDate
1Entry forms submitted to RQAS by:Wednesday, 11th of February, 3:30pm
2Bring in day-Artwork to be delivered to RQAS:Saturday, 28th of February between 10am - 12pm
3Exhibition Opens to Public:Wednesday, 4th of March, 2026 at 10:00am
5Exhibition closes:Sunday, 29th of March, 2026 at 3:30pm
6Bump out Day - pickup your work:Monday, 30th of March between 10am - 12pm

ENTRY FEES

Entry FeeDescription
$35Per Artwork (includes 1yr Brisbane Branch Memberships valued at $50)

2025 Young Artist Award Prizes

SectionPrizes to the Value of
Section 1 - 18-30yrs4 equal prizes each to the value of $500
Section 2 - 17yrs & under2 equal prizes each to the value of $250

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

ENTRY
1.1. Entry fees are not refundable and non-transferrable. All entrants will be granted RQAS Membership (valued at $50) for one year.
Entry Fees: $35 per artwork

1.2. Entry forms can be completed either:
• on the RQAS website,
• emailed to: entries@rqas.com.au
• or are to be returned to Petrie Terrace Gallery at Unit 3, 162 Petrie Terrace Brisbane.
1.3. The RQAS will email you to confirm if your artwork has been selected as a finalist or not, or if we need further information about your entry. Only finalists will have their work exhibited in the Gallery.
1.4. High Resolution Image(s) of your work must be provided for your entry to be accepted. Images must be submitted as a digital jpeg or png file. Save the file as “yourname_artworktitle”.
1.5. Artists are permitted to enter a maximum of 4 works.
1.6. Entrant must be a Queensland Resident, Proof of Address or Personal ID may be required.

MEDIA
2.1. This exhibition accepts 2D and 3D works in any medium. Media is the artist’s choice; however photography will not be accepted.
2.2. A suitably mounted Giclee image is acceptable as an entry for a digitally painted image.
2.3. This exhibition does not accept entries completed in whole or in part by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

ELIGIBILITY
3.1. Artwork must not have won a prize in any other competition.
3.2. Artwork must not have been a finalist in an RQAS sponsored competition in the 2-year period prior to entries closing.

SIZE
4.1. Artworks must not exceed 1.53m in width, including frame.
4.2. All works must not weigh more than 15kgs and need to be easily and safely carried by 1 to 2 people
4.3. May be made up of multiple panels, providing all panels still fit within the size restrictions noted above.

PERMISSIONS & COPYRIGHT
5.1. Exhibitors agree to grant RQAS a non-exclusive, sub-licensable, worldwide, perpetual and irrevocable license to exercise copyright in your artwork for the purposes of administering, promoting and providing information about the exhibition. This includes producing photographs, catalogues and advertising for promotional purposes
5.2. Entries must be the original work of the exhibitor, and not infringe the copyright, moral rights, or other rights of any third party. Entries should also adhere to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protocols.
5.3. If you are submitting an artwork of a personality, the entrant must have the subject’s consent to enter the artwork in this exhibition including ensuring they understand the artwork may be displayed to the public.

PRESENTATION
6.1. The work must be suitably presented and ready to be safely displayed with the appropriate hardware (6.3), as well as being clean and dry. Damaged artworks/frames will not be able to be placed on display.
6.2. Section 1 exhibitors (18-30 year olds) must adhere to the following conditions:
6.3. Framed artworks and works on canvas (or otherwise mounted) must be ready to hang on the wall using medium or large sized “D” rings placed approximately 5cm from the top of the frame. Wire or string is not required.
6.4. Section 2 exhibitors (artists under 17 years old): Artist can submit their work ready to hang with “D” Rings. Or: unframed artwork will be accepted if it is presented neatly as outlined below:
– paper with normal straight edges
– deckled edge paper
– mounted on board with a mount board “frame” to provide extra protection of the works on paper, with small D Rings taped to the back of the card.
– Magnets would be used to hang works on paper that are submitted unframed.
6.5. ALL SECTIONS: Artworks must be clearly labelled with Artist Name, Title of Artwork and contact details on the back of the work.
6.6. Any artwork not clean or professionally finished will not be able to be placed on display. This includes but is not limited to stretched canvas edges being painted in the round or in a solid colour. Stretched canvas must be square. Refer to framing guidelines.
6.7. Artworks will only be displayed at the absolute discretion of the RQAS Brisbane we will not display any artwork deemed unsafe, offensive, or unsuitable.
6.8. Multi-panelled artworks must include a picture of the assembled work with clear instructions for installation.
6.9. Any questions artists have during installation must be addressed to the Director of Gallery Operations or their representative.

SELECTION, JUDGING AND PRIZES
7.1. A selection process will be conducted by a qualified selection panel which includes the exhibition judge/s
7.2. After all submissions have been processed, all artists will be emailed to advise if they have been selected as a finalist or not. Only finalists will have their work exhibited in the exhibition
7.3. Prizes to the value of:
Section 1 – 18-30yrs 4 equal prizes each to the value of $500
Section 2 – 17yrs & under 2 equal prizes each to the value of $250

7.4. The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

DELIVERY, INSTALLATION & PICK-UP
8.1. Artists will be notified by email if they are a finalist or not.
8.2. Artworks to be delivered to the Petrie Terrace Gallery on Saturday, 28th of February between 10am – 12pm. If you are unable to deliver during this time, please contact us to make alternative arrangements.
8.3. Entries are accepted, displayed, and returned at the owner’s risk. Freight and insurance are also the owner’s responsibility. All care will be taken, but no responsibility accepted for loss or damage.
8.4. Artworks cannot be delivered by post. A courier can deliver your artwork at the specific delivery times above.
8.5. If you are a finalist and your artwork is not delivered within the times allowed it will not be hung in the exhibition.
8.6. Any questions artists have during installation must be addressed to the Director of gallery operations or their representative.
8.7. Artworks must be made available for the full duration of the exhibition and may only be picked up when the exhibition has finished.
8.8. Pick-up of Artworks will be from Petrie Terrace Gallery on Monday, 30th of March between 10am – 12pm.
8.9. Works not collected within three months of the exhibition closing date may be disposed of at the discretion of the RQAS Brisbane Branch Committee.

SALES
9.1. Artwork DOES NOT need to be for sale but if setting a sale price, please allow for RQAS commission and any applicable GST when setting price.
9.2. The gallery will charge 27.5% commission (including GST) on all sales.
9.3. Artists will be paid for any sales after the end of the exhibition OR when artworks have been paid in full.

GENERAL
10.1. All entrants and their guests must book into any events associated with the exhibition and purchase a ticket if they wish to attend. Attendance to the exhibition is free outside of ticketed events.
10.2. Should any dispute arise where no specific ruling is laid down the RQAS Brisbane Branch committee’s decision is final.

GALLERY HOURS & CONTACT
10am to 3.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. Closed public holidays.
Phone: 07 3367 1977 Email: gallery@rqas.com.au www.rqas.com.au

Finishing and Professionalism for Artwork Entered into RQAS Exhibitions

When entering artwork into RQAS exhibitions, the artworks need to be presented and finished in a professional manner. This helps the gallery to create a cohesive exhibition with a professional look, as well as ensuring the hanging process is easy and safe for our staff and volunteers.

PLEASE REFER TO THE EXHIBITION TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR MINIMUM FRAMING REQUIREMENTS.

Artworks must be clean, dry and professionally finished before being delivered to the gallery. This includes cleaning the glass and wiping off any dust that may have accumulated while in storage.

The work must be suitably presented and ready to be safely displayed with the appropriate hardware (6.3), as well as being clean and dry. Damaged artworks/frames will not be able to be placed on display.

Section 1 exhibitors (18-30 year olds) must adhere to the following conditions:
Framed artworks and works on canvas (or otherwise mounted) must be ready to hang on the wall using medium or large sized “D” rings placed approximately 5cm from the top of the frame. Wire or string is not required.

Section 2 exhibitors (artists under 17 years old): Artist can submit their work ready to hang with “D” Rings. Or: unframed artwork will be accepted if it is presented neatly as outlined below:
– paper with normal straight edges
– deckled edge paper
– mounted on board with a mount board “frame” to provide extra protection of the works on paper, with small D Rings taped to the back of the card.
– Magnets would be used to hang works on paper that are submitted unframed.

To download guidelines and view images please click here

 

Painted Edges & Framed Works

If works on stretched canvas are not framed the edges of the canvas must be cleanly finished. Artists may choose to paint the edge a single colour such as grey or a colour that complements the artwork, see  Figure 1, or you may complete the artwork in the “round” as in Figure 2. In the “round” means to extend the painting around the edge of the canvas. Essentially, the edges should not have random marks, such as fingerprints or paint drips.

D Rings

Framed artworks and works on canvas (or otherwise mounted) must be ready to hang on the wall using medium or large sized “D” rings placed approximately 5-10cm from the top of the frame. Attach hooks facing upwards and on the outside of the canvas frame, as pictured in Figure 3. Wire or string is not required. However, if you would like to add wire or string, please see Figure 3. As you can see the wire is further down the canvas and is not attached to the top “D” ring.

Squaring Up

To determine if a rectangular or square canvas is “square” or “squared up”, measure the diagonal of the canvas/artwork, and it should be the same length both ways. Please refer to Figure 4.

Foxing & Mould

Foxing is an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning and can appear as brown, yellow, or red stains on the paper or canvas. If it appears on an artwork mat, the work must be reframed with a new mat. If it appears on the canvas or paper, it must be treated and repainted, so it is not visible.

Artwork Labels

Clearly mark the artist’s name, contact details, the title of work, and price on an artwork label, to be placed on the back of the work. We need this information to easily identify your artwork before the exhibition labels (didactics) and catalogue are printed for the exhibition. Some artists choose to write this information on the back of the frame/canvas directly. You may also choose to include this on a removable/temporary label, or on a permanent label or “Certificate of Authenticity”.

Online entry form coming soon!

HARDCOPY ENTRY FORM