juncture art prize 2026

Entries open

1 May > 29 June 2025

Winners Announced 

August 2025

Exhibition Dates

20 August > 9 November 2026

HOW TO ENTER

+ Terms & Conditions

+ Enter Here

+ Past Winners

Established in 2023, JUNCTURE is a biennial prize, awarded to two mid-career artists by Linden New Art. It is a national open callout, with the artists selected by a panel of industry professionals. The two artists will each receive a cash prize of $20,000, to support exciting new directions in their practices, culminating in an exhibition at Linden New Art in 2026.

The selection framework for JUNCTURE is defined by a demonstrated history of success, and the potential for substantial future outcomes. It is designed to support radical thinking, conversations, and the development of artistic practice. JUNCTURE is a platform to support those on the precipice of a significant advancement in their practice.

The funds can be used for any purpose in support of the artist’s objectives, such as research, technical experimentation, or working with other creative practitioners to learn, share ideas and develop skills. JUNCTURE aims to relieve the restriction that inhibit artists pursuing their innovative ideas and advancing and pushing their practice. We are looking for artists who are at a juncture in their career, where they are ready to pursue future directions, discovery and risk-taking.





JUNCTURE Art Prize has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Selection Criteria

Mid-Career

• The applicant meets the NAVA definition of Mid-Career Artist.

Artistic Practice

• The applicant demonstrates a sustained and critically engaged contemporary practice, evidenced through significant achievements consistent with a mid-career level.
• The proposal reflects innovation and signals a meaningful evolution or expansion of the applicant's practice.

Supports New Work

• The proposed project is feasible within the available time and resources provided.
• The applicant clearly articulates how this opportunity will support the advancement of their practice.
• The proposal and program of activities will directly lead to the development and delivery of consequential new work.

2026 JUDEGS

Melissa Keys
Melissa Keys is a contemporary art curator and writer with more than 20 years of experience working in leading museums, galleries and art spaces nationally and internationally. She is currently Senior Curator at Heide Museum of Modern Art, and was formerly Senior Curator, Art Museums and Collections at the University of Melbourne and the inaugural Curator of Buxton Contemporary in Naarm/Melbourne. She has contributed to and edited numerous publications about art and contemporary culture and has extensive experience working in close dialogue with artists to realise ambitious programs and contemporary art exhibitions.

Anthony Fitzpatrick
Anthony Fitzpatrick is a curator and writer. From 2011-2025 he was Curator at TarraWarra Museum of Art where he curated numerous solo and group exhibitions including Intimate Imaginaries (2024); SUPERsystems: Peter Atkins and Dana Harris (2024), Peter Booth (2022), Heather B. Swann: Leda and the Swan (2021) and Sidney Nolan: Myth Rider (2021). Prior to joining TarraWarra he held public gallery positions at Maroondah Art Gallery and the Cunningham Dax Collection.

Hamish Sawyer
Hamish Sawyer is a curator and writer, whose practice is informed by close collaboration with artists. He is currently the Curator of Linden New Art, St Kilda. Prior to joining Linden, he was the Artistic Director of NorthSite Contemporary Arts, Cairns. He has previously held programming and management roles at OuterSpace, Caloundra Regional Gallery, the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art, and the Institute of Modern Art. He has also curated exhibitions for the University of Sunshine Coast Art Gallery, University of New South Wales Galleries, and Caboolture Regional Art Gallery. Hamish has written for publications on contemporary Australian and New Zealand art, as well as contributing to monographs on contemporary Australian artists,  and collection publications.