How to enter

Please review the Entry Guidelines below, then click Enter Now to complete the Entry Form.

Categories:

• Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 — $60,000
• Falls Creek Sculptors Residencies 2026 — two 14-day residencies + $1,000 (incl. GST) for each recipient

Entry fee:

$45 (including GST) applies per category

Deadline:

Entries close on 6 July 2026 at 5pm. Late entries will not be accepted.

Entry criteria

• Individual sculptors and all group entrants must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, and a resident of the State of Victoria.
• Entries must be the original work of the entrant, and the entrant must be living at the time of the entry.
• Entry can be made individually or by nomination by an agent or other.
• One or more categories may be entered or nominated.
• The criteria for the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 as outlined on the website and in this section of the Entry Form.

Entry conditions

• These Entry Guidelines for the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 & Awards do not give rise to a contract between the Melbourne Prize Trust and an entrant.
• By completing the Declaration in the Entry Form, entrants warrant that they will comply with and be bound by these Entry Guidelines. By nominating an entrant, the nominator warrants to the Melbourne Prize Trust that they are authorised to do so by the entrant and that the entrant will be bound by the Entry Guidelines.
• The Melbourne Prize Trust reserves the right not to accept or to not proceed with an entry or nomination at any time, including (without limitation) if any part of the entry process has not been adhered to. The relevant entrant will be notified and the entry material returned.
• All entries will be handled in accordance with current privacy legislation in a secured online environment and only be seen by the judging panel.
• Copyright of work submitted as part of an entry remains with the entrant. The entrant or nominator must ensure that they have all copyright permissions and any other relevant authorisations relating to an application before entering.
• Entrants in all categories warrant they do not violate copyright of or any other right in relation to the work of another, will not defame any individual or group and the works submitted will not contain unlawful material.
• The Melbourne Prize Trust, with the permission of the entrant or nominator, may request the use of the finalist’s entry material for media, promotions or exhibiting during the competition period.
• The Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 will be awarded in accordance with the specified criteria to one winning finalist. The Prize and the Prize funds will not be awarded jointly to or shared between finalists.
• Each of the two Falls Creek Sculptors Residencies 2026 will be awarded in accordance with the specified criteria to a winner (that is, there will be one winner of each Residency). No Residency or Residency funds will be awarded jointly to or shared between people.
• The decisions of the judges are final and no correspondence shall be entered into.
• An entrant or finalist may not contact a judge or judges during the process.
• The Melbourne Prize Trust reserves the right to not award, withdraw and/or re-allocate any one or more of the Prize and the Awards in its absolute discretion.
• All entrants in all categories, regardless of whether they are selected or not, are invited to the awards event.

Judging information

• Four finalists in the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 will be selected by the judging panel and announced on 16 September on this website.
• Winners in each category will be announced on the website on 26 November. The three runner-up finalists in the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 will receive $1,000 (incl. GST).
• There are no finalists in the Falls Creek Sculptors Residencies 2026 – the winners will be announced on this website on 26 November.
• All entrants for the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 who are not selected as Finalists will be contacted prior to announcement of the Finalists.
• All non-winning entrants for the Falls Creek Sculptors Residencies 2026 will be contacted prior to announcement of the winners.
• Information on the finalists in the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 will be available to the public, including a digital catalogue, at Fed Square between 13 – 26 November.
• The value and criteria of each Prize and Residency are stated on the website and in the Entry Form and cannot be varied. The Prize or Residency funds will be made available to the category winner, who is advised to seek professional advice regarding their GST or other tax obligations concerning their winnings.
• The Trust can request further material or information from an entrant or nominator.
• Entrants must notify the Melbourne Prize Trust of any actual or likely conflicts of interest with the 2026 judges, partners or patrons.
• A procedure will be in place during the judging process to handle any conflict of interest should it arise. No conflict of interest by an entrant is permitted.

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