Prize details

Entries are now closed

The Local Contemporary Art Prize: reflections on here and now is a highly anticipated annual exhibition at Caloundra Regional Gallery, showcasing the breadth of contemporary arts practice from emerging, mid-career and established visual artists residing on the Sunshine Coast. 

The annual prize, originally known as Local Artist - Local Content, was created by the Friends Regional Gallery Caloundra Inc. (‘Friends’) in 2014. Now in its tenth year, the prize has been renamed to Local Contemporary, reflecting the here and now of artists living and working on the Sunshine Coast. 

Caloundra Regional Gallery in partnership with The Gallery's Friends, invites artists living within the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions and working across all mediums to submit 2D and 3D works for the Local Contemporary Art Prize 2024. 

Forty finalists will be selected for the exhibition and winners will share $17,000 in prize money, thanks to this year’s sponsors: Friends of the Gallery, Mary Henzell Investments, Localvolts and Geoff Lyons Solicitors. 

The winning artwork will also be acquired into the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.

Award categories

Entries in the Local Contemporary Art Prize 2024 are eligible to be considered for:

• Best in Show Acquisitive Award: $10,000 prize 
• 2D Excellence Award: $2500 prize – Mary Henzell Investments
• 3D Excellence Award: $2500 prize –  Localvolts
• People’s Choice Award: $2000 prize – Geoff Lyons Solicitors and Friends of the Gallery 

To be considered for selection, entrants must comply with all entry instructions and conditions.

Key dates

• Entries open Friday 8 December 2023
• Entries close Friday 2 February 2024 
• Finalists announced Monday 26 February 2024
• Finalist works to be delivered on Wednesday 13 - Friday 15 March 2024 to Caloundra Regional Gallery, between 10am and 4pm
• Winners announced Thursday 21 March 2024 at the official exhibition opening, 6 – 8pm
• Exhibition dates: Friday 22 March to Sunday 5 May 2024
• Unsold works must be collected Tuesday 7 - Wednesday 8 May 2024, between the hours of 10am and 4pm from the Caloundra Regional Gallery