Entries for Australia’s largest regional art awards open Monday 10 August 2026.
The Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA), established in 2011, celebrates the creativity of regional, rural and remote artists. The QRAA offers Australia’s largest regional art awards prize pool and a record prize pool for Flying Arts: $326,800 in cash prizes, solo exhibitions, residencies and professional development opportunities.
Key Dates
- 10 August: Entries Open
- 18 September: Entries Close at 3pm
- 15 October: Finalists Announced
- 16 October: People’s Choice Award Opens
- 9 November: Finalist Artworks Due to Flying Arts
- 24 November: People’s Choice Award Closes
- 26 November: Gala Awards Night, 300 George Street, Brisbane, 5:30pm–7:30pm
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Queensland Regional Art Awards are an important platform for showcasing and celebrating the work of talented artists from across regional Queensland.
“Additional government funding is expanding the impact of Queensland Regional Art Awards’ statewide touring exhibition to include Cairns, Longreach, Winton, Mackay, Townsville and St George,” Minister Langbroek said.
“In 2026, the awards exhibition will also feature in the Brisbane Festival and the North Australian Festival of Arts program in Townsville, providing even more opportunities to showcase our creative talent to broader audiences.
“Flying Arts and the Queensland Regional Art Awards support the priorities of our Queensland’s Time to Shine 10-year arts strategy by celebrating our storytellers, supporting creative careers and growing access to the arts for all Queenslanders.”
Last year’s winner, Alison McDonald, fulfilled a life-long ambition of travelling to America to work with her hero David Huang:
“This award was a huge change in my life. I did something I wanted to do for a long time—a workshop series in Phoenix, USA with Metalsmith artist David Huang.”
We have enlisted the superstars of Queensland’s visual arts world for the judging:
Final Judge: Simon Wright, Assistant Director, Learning and Public Engagement, QAGOMA
Panel:
Kate O’Hara, Director, Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, Townsville
Tracey Heathwood, Director, Artspace Mackay
Brian Robinson, Contemporary Artist and Curator, Cairns
Beck Davis, Director (Head of School), Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University
Flying Arts CEO Toni Palmer said the milestone year was a chance to celebrate the organisation’s heritage while continuing to build real opportunities for the next generation of regional artists.
“For 55 years, Flying Arts has been proud to put the spotlight on the extraordinary talent of artists living and working in regional and remote Queensland. The QRAA remains the cornerstone of that commitment, and every year we’re proud to see it grow.”
“We’re grateful for the continued support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, whose partnership makes an awards program of this scale possible for artists right across the state.”
We celebrate and continue our great relationships with the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Qantas, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Griffith University, TAFE Queensland, Today News Group, and Artist Profile.
We welcome new partners, The Clem Jones Group and Shayher Group.
The 2026 winners will be announced by Minister Langbroek MP at the Gala, Thursday 26 November 5:30pm–7:30pm. The Gala will be hosted by Shayher Group in their beautiful building, 300 George Street, Brisbane. The 2026 finalists and winners will be exhibited throughout November and December 2026 – open to the public.
Supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the additional funding has been awarded to support the regional touring. The 2027 Touring Exhibition: Bundaberg, Gladstone, Toowoomba, Roma, Rockhampton and the Gold Coast.
Entering in 2026 is easier through free professional development resources: practical, step by step guidance on writing a compelling artist statement, building a professional CV and bio, and photographing and submitting work to the standard judges expect. Available now at flyingarts.org.au/resources.
This year Flying Arts is set to transform education in Australian primary schools through For Schools. For Schools is a ‘press play’ solution to delivering the visual arts component of the Australian curriculum. Taking children on an outback adventure, For Schools is presented by acclaimed Queensland artists, teachers and curriculum specialists and delivers engaging, curriculum-aligned learning experiences directly into classrooms. We have also developed our very own Merv, an animated character based on our founder Mervyn Moriarty OAM.
Entries for the 2026 QRAA open Monday 10 August and close Friday 18 September at 3pm. For full eligibility, category details and to enter, visit flyingarts.org.au/queensland-regional-art-awards.
ABOUT FLYING ARTS
Flying Arts is one of Queensland’s leading arts organisations, connecting regional, rural and remote communities through the visual arts for more than 55 years. Founded in 1971 by celebrated artist and aviator Mervyn Moriarty OAM, Flying Arts was born from Mervyn’s vision to bring art to every corner of Queensland. After winning an art prize, Mervyn used the prize money to learn to fly, enabling him to take art classes to some of the state’s most remote communities. That pioneering spirit continues to inspire Flying Arts today as it delivers transformative arts experiences, professional development and education that connects Queenslanders through the arts.
Flying Arts is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Flying Arts is honoured to acknowledge the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM as our Patron. We also acknowledge Mr Tim Fairfax AC and Mrs Gina Fairfax AC as our Cultural Patrons.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For all media and PR enquiries, please contact:
Harris Wakeling, Marketing & Development Manager
harris.wakeling@flyingarts.org.au
0479 007 268
Interview opportunities, and high-resolution media and PR images, are also available upon request.